SEMO Selected for National Gilman Pioneering Institution Grant

The $10,000 award from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program will fund SEMO's project, "Your Study Abroad, Upgraded: AI, Future-Proof Careers & Real-World Skills." The highly competitive program drew more than 100 applications from colleges and universities across the country.

The initiative is designed to help students translate international experiences into practical skills aligned with workforce needs, particularly in areas influenced by artificial intelligence.

"Our proposal focused on helping students make clearer connections between their time abroad and their long-term career goals," said Aven Pacha, study abroad coordinator in International Education and Services at SEMO. "This initiative gives students the tools to explore how AI is shaping their field, no matter their major, and to articulate that experience in a meaningful way when they enter the job market."

INTERESTED IN STUDYING ABROAD?

Students studying or interning abroad for a semester or longer between fall 2026 and spring 2027 will have the option to participate. Through the program, students will complete guided, hands-on research tied to their academic and professional interests, examining how technology and innovation are influencing their discipline in both the United States and their host country.

Participants will receive stipends to support experiential learning activities such as interviews and site visits, along with resources to help them reflect on and communicate their experiences. Students will also document their learning through video storytelling, creating a portfolio that demonstrates both global awareness and career-focused skills.

The Gilman Program selected SEMO's proposal based on its innovation, industry connections, and alignment with national priorities focused on preparing students for careers critical to U.S. economic growth and advancement.

Kevin Timlin, executive director of International Education and Services, said the grant builds on ongoing efforts to expand access to study abroad and increase its impact on student success.

"Study abroad has consistently been shown to increase a student's likelihood of persisting to graduation, and it's an experience employers value," Timlin said. "This grant allows us to make these opportunities more accessible while also adding a structured learning component that helps students maximize the academic, personal and professional benefits of their time abroad."

Over the past two years, SEMO has worked to broaden participation in study abroad across academic programs and diversify destinations available to students. The new initiative strengthens that work by providing additional financial support and a framework that connects global experiences to career preparation.

At SEMO, opportunities like these ensure students gain not only global perspective, but also the skills and confidence to apply what they've learned in their careers and communities.

Explore the world while preparing for your future. Discover how SEMO can help you turn global experiences into career-ready skills through study abroad opportunities. Learn more at semo.edu/studyabroad.

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