A record number of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) students have been awarded international fellowships and scholarships, enabling them to pursue valuable cultural exchanges and research opportunities abroad.
Jenny Sullivan, director of Education Abroad and International Fellowships at RIT, praised the students’ achievements: “Our talented students continue to be recognized through these distinguished scholarships, reflecting their dedication and the vital importance of immersing oneself in diverse cultures and academic environments. These experiences will significantly enhance their academic and career development.”
Among the awards, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a competitive merit-based program from the U.S. Department of State, stands out. It supports U.S. students in gaining proficiency in foreign languages and cultures, essential skills for academic success and future careers.
This year’s Gilman scholars will study across multiple countries, including Japan—where Jeremiah Henderson (applied modern languages and culture), Ignacio De Orbe (game design), Samir Samal (computing), Lilly Anastasia Radon (game design), and Emily Francisco (computer engineering technology) will be based. In Croatia, scholars include Joshua VanNostrand (management information systems), Louis Jon LaGambino (mechanical engineering technology), Mamadou D’Elhadj Bah (web and mobile computing), Breanna Litviak (hospitality and tourism management), and Kelsey Luke (new media design and computational mathematics).
Additionally, Jaimison Grimes (industrial design) and Ashley Locatelli (cybersecurity) will study in Italy, while Delana Perkins (civil engineering technology) is set for Greece.
Beyond the Gilman Scholarship, several RIT students have secured other prestigious international awards. The DAAD Research Internships for Science and Engineering program in Germany pairs students with German universities and Ph.D. researchers for hands-on projects. Awardees include Nicholas Atteck (biomedical engineering) and Anna Piccione (artificial intelligence).
The Critical Language Scholarship, supporting intensive language study abroad, was awarded to Ava Inkseep, a double major in cybersecurity and applied modern language and culture (Chinese option), who will study at Dalian University of Technology in China.
Furthermore, the Fulbright Canada Mitacs Globalink fellowship provides a 10- to 12-week summer research internship under Canadian university supervision in various disciplines. This year’s recipients are Ezra Bernstein (computer science), Jacqueline Driehaus (environmental science), Victoria Prendergast (biomedical engineering), Leah Robinson (biotechnology and molecular bioscience), and Valentine Webster (psychology).
These fellowships and scholarships highlight RIT’s strong commitment to promoting study abroad programs and preparing students for global careers.
