Galloway, N.J. — Two Stockton University undergraduate students were awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships to study abroad this summer.

Juniors Shakila Riaz, of Atlantic City, and Victoria Ottinger, of Middletown, were selected for the prestigious scholarships. Awarded by the U.S. Department of State, the scholarships were given this spring to 3,500 students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to study abroad in more than 170 countries.

Riaz, a Literature major and Anthropology minor, is traveling to Rabat, Morocco, to study language, society and culture.

“The Gilman Scholarship is the key that’s opening a door I’ve knocked on my whole life,” said the first-generation student. “This isn’t just about studying abroad, it’s about becoming the version of myself I’ve always dreamed of.”

Ottinger, a Business Administration major, will take international business and marketing classes in Florence, Italy.

“After studying abroad in Florence, I will be more prepared to enter the extremely globalized world of business as I am gearing up to enter post-grad life,” Ottinger said. “I’m looking forward to using this opportunity to build my Italian language skills and learn more about my Italian heritage.”

Patricia Sagasti Suppes, the director of Stockton’s Office of Global Engagement, said she was incredibly proud of both students who will represent Stockton on the “global stage.”

“Their achievements demonstrate that education abroad can be accessible and transformative for every student, regardless of background,” she said.

Over 70% of selected Gilman Scholars are from rural areas and small towns across the United States, and 55% are first-generation college students.  

Gilman Scholars are U.S. undergraduate students with high financial need as federal Pell Grant recipients.  The Gilman Program received a record high of 17,000 applications across the 2024-2025 academic year.   

This group of Gilman Scholars from Stockton will represent the United States overseas and will return to communities across the United States with the global networks and foreign language skills needed to support U.S. economic and national security interests.

Riaz and Ottinger have also been awarded merit-based Study Abroad scholarships from Stockton’s Office of Global Engagement.

“By experiencing new cultures and academic environments, our students not only gain valuable skills and perspectives, but also return ready to contribute to their communities and help build a more interconnected world,” Sagasti Suppes said. “These experiences are truly life-changing, and we encourage all students to explore the opportunities available to them.”

The Office of Global Engagement provides opportunities for education abroad and away within the United States, supports the success of international students at Stockton, cultivates international partnerships, helps faculty who teach and research abroad, and offers on-campus internationally-focused programming.

Established by the U.S. Congress, the Gilman Scholarship is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and is aided in its implementation by the Institute of International Education.  The next application cycle will be launched in August.  To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship, visit gilmanscholarship.org.