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JCCC Student Awarded Scholarship to Study Abroad

February 1, 2019

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Feb. 1, 2019) – Johnson County Community College (JCCC) is pleased to announce that Ethan Bilyeu is one of 844 American undergraduate students from 335 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study or intern abroad during spring 2019.

The Congressionally funded Gilman Program broadens the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad by providing scholarships to outstanding undergraduate Pell Grant recipients who, due to financial constraints, might not otherwise study abroad. Since the program’s establishment in 2001, over 1,300 U.S. institutions have sent more than 28,000 Gilman scholars to 145 countries around the globe.

Ethan Bilyeu, a member of the JCCC Honors Program and Phi Theta Kappa, will study abroad during the spring 2019 semester at the International College of Seville in Seville, Spain. In addition to taking Spanish language courses, Bilyeu will study the history and art of the three cultures that so deeply shaped the region. After completing his Associate of Arts degree at JCCC, Bilyeu plans to double major in Graphic Design and Spanish at a four-year university.

“I am very proud of Ethan for receiving this Gilman Scholarship. He richly deserves it,” said Tom Patterson, JCCC’s Director of International Education. “We work very hard to assist students like Ethan to get this important help in going abroad to study. JCCC has lead community colleges in the country in students who receive Gilman Scholarships.”

“The Gilman Program aims to make study abroad, and its career advantages, more accessible and inclusive for American students,” said Heidi Manley, the Chief of USA Study Abroad at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. “These diverse American students gain critical skills overseas that expand their career options and ability to make an impact in their home communities.” 

She notes that the program particularly focuses on supporting first-generation college students, students in the STEM fields, ethnic and racial minority students, students with disabilities, students who are veterans, students attending community colleges and minority-serving institutions, and other populations underrepresented in study abroad as well as broadening the destinations where scholars study or intern.

The Gilman Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

View the complete list of students selected to receive Gilman Scholarships this term as well as their home state, university and host country.

The mission of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) is to build relations between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through academic, cultural, sports, professional and private exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships and mentoring programs. These exchange programs improve foreign relations and strengthen the national security of the United States. ECA programs, funding, and other activities encourage the involvement of American and international participants from traditionally underrepresented groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities. Artists, educators, athletes, students, youth and rising leaders in the United States and more than 160 countries around the globe participate in academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges. For more information about ECA programs, initiatives, and achievements, visit eca.state.gov.

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