Research & Innovation
Goldwater and Beckman scholars help fight diseases
Richmond students who were awarded scholarships will further faculty-mentored research in the sciences.
UR scholars have been honored with national awards
July 7, 2025
University News
Richmond students receive Fulbright, Gilman, and other prestigious scholarships.
Richmond students and recent alums were recipients of some of the top national scholarships and awards this past academic year. Recently, UR Now profiled Goldwater, Beckman, Phi Beta Kappa Service, and Truman Scholars, honored for their work in scientific research and public service. (See story links at the bottom of the page.) Below, we highlight a few others who have been awarded the funds and networking opportunities that will allow them to pursue their interests in international language, creative writing, and law.
Students awarded Critical Language Scholarships from the State Department
Three Richmond students have been awarded a Critical Language Scholarship. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the CLS program provides immersive language learning opportunities for students to learn languages essential to America's engagement with the world. Selected student scholars spend eight to 10 weeks studying one of 12 critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu.
- Leo Barnes, a junior global studies major from Hanover, New Hampshire, will use the scholarship to study Brazilian Portuguese at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. While there, he’ll participate in intensive language study and stay with a local family.
- Bonny Bruzos, a sophomore from Jacksonville, Florida, has received a CLS Spark scholarship, which provides virtual language learning opportunities. Bruzos will study Mandarin Chinese, taught by the LTL Language School in Beijing. Bruzos intends to major in philosophy and film studies.
- Maya Casillas, a 2025 graduate from Wayne, Pennsylvania, who majored in history and Arabic studies, will use the CLS scholarship to study Modern Standard Arabic and the Moroccan dialect at the Arab American Language Institute in Meknes, Morocco. She plans to pursue post-graduate education in history.
Finalists for the CLS program are selected from a pool of about 5,000 applicants. To date, 33 University of Richmond students have received this scholarship.
Fulbright Scholars will teach English abroad
Five UR graduates have accepted Fulbright grants for the 2025-26 academic year.
“English Teaching Assistantships are valuable exchange programs that pair outstanding students and recent graduates with local English teachers abroad,” said Dana Kuchem, director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships. “These scholars will spend time teaching the English language while serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S., enriching their personal, academic, and professional lives."
The honorees are:
- Maya Allione, Class of 2025 from Cape Coral, Florida, will complete her Fulbright in the Southeast Asian nation of Dili, Timor-Leste. A graduate who majored in biology and minored in Latin American, Latino, and Iberian studies, Allione plans to pursue a career in medicine and hopes to volunteer in the medical field during her time in Timor-Leste.
- Alex Broening, Class of 2025 from Richmond, Virginia, was awarded a Fulbright to teach English in Germany. Broening majored in German studies and political science, with a minor in data science and statistics. (Photo not available.)
- Cady Cummins, Class of 2025 from Cincinnati, Ohio, will teach English in South Korea. Cummins majored in psychology and minored in linguistics and creative writing. After her Fulbright, she plans to pursue graduate study in linguistics or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL).
- Kathryn Grage, Class of 2022 from Syracuse, New York, will teach English in Lublin, Poland. Grage, who majored in mathematics and environmental studies, currently teaches high school biology. While in Poland, she hopes to create an environmental club and to equip Polish students with the skills needed to confidently discuss scientific concepts in English.
- Sarah Schalkoff, Class of 2023 from Yamaguchi City, Japan, will teach English at a foreign language high school in Bulgaria. Schalkoff majored in leadership studies and minored in English. As a Jepson Scholar, she is currently completing a Master of Philosophy degree in Japanese Studies at the University of Oxford.
UR has had a total of 88 Fulbright U.S. Student Program recipients. Earlier this year, UR was recognized as a Fulbright Top Producer for the seventh consecutive year.
Gilman Scholars enhance academics with study abroad experiences
Eight Richmond students have been offered Gilman Scholarships to support their study abroad experiences. The Gilman Program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
“Gilman Scholarships allow students who might not otherwise be able to travel abroad an opportunity to gain invaluable global perspectives, as well as critical skills that benefit their future careers,” said Ethan Knight, associate director of the Office of Scholars and Fellowships.
The honorees are:
- Eli Amantia, a junior business administration and Latin American, Latino, and Iberian studies major from Dobbs Ferry, New York, who will study abroad in Spain.
- Chiara Coreathers, a junior biology major from Houston, who is heading to South Africa.
- Gopika Das, a junior psychology major from Kenner, Louisiana, who will conduct her studies in Costa Rica.
- Julia Guss, a junior global studies and history major from Westlake Village, California, who will study abroad in South Africa.
- Lena Kim, a junior computer science and accounting major who will study abroad in South Korea.
- Maddox Lowe, a junior philosophy, politics, economics, and law major from Jeffersonton, Virginia, who will travel to Spain for his studies.
- Holden Sparrow, a junior political science major from Cherryville, North Carolina, who will study abroad in Germany.
- Eshaal Syeda, a junior cognitive science major from Des Plaines, Illinois, who will pursue her studies in the United Kingdom.
Since the program started in 2001, 113 UR students have been offered Gilman Scholarships.
