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March 13, 2026
San Diego, CA — U.S. Department of State has recognized San Diego Mesa College as a Top Producer of Gilman Scholars for 2001–2025, highlighting the college’s leadership in supporting students who successfully apply for scholarships through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
The Gilman Program provides merit-based scholarships to undergraduate students with high financial need, enabling them to study or intern abroad and gain valuable global experience. The recognition places San Diego Mesa College among the top U.S. higher education institutions producing Gilman Scholars across the program’s 25-year history.
Administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Gilman Program expands access to international education opportunities for students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to study abroad. By participating in international programs, students develop critical academic, professional, and intercultural skills that help prepare them for success in a global workforce.
“The opportunity for our students to study abroad is truly transformative. It expands how they see the world and how they see themselves within it,” said Dr. Ashanti Hands, president of San Diego Mesa College. “Experiences like these deepen classroom learning, build confidence, and open pathways students may not have imagined for their lives and careers. Programs like the Gilman Scholarship ensure that global learning is not reserved for a few, but accessible to students with talent, curiosity, and ambition. We are incredibly proud of our Gilman Scholars and the ways their global experiences enrich our campus and bring our commitment to equity and excellence to life.”
Through its Study Abroad program, San Diego Mesa College provides students with opportunities to learn in international settings while earning academic credit and developing global perspectives. These experiences encourage cross-cultural understanding, strengthen language and professional skills, and broaden students’ academic and personal horizons.
“For me, studying abroad has taught me more self-awareness about different cultures and the beauty of traveling. It also taught me to push myself in an unfamiliar setting and immerse myself into the language and lifestyle.” said Briana Kier - Nursing Major at San Diego Mesa College student who participated in a study abroad program.
More information about Mesa College’s Study Abroad program is available at: www.sdmesa.edu/studyabroad
Tags: Study Abroad, Press Release, Gilman scholarship
Anabell Pulido
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
(619) 388-2759
San Diego, CA — U.S. Department of State has recognized San Diego Mesa College as a Top Producer of Gilman Scholars for 2001–2025, highlighting the college’s leadership in supporting students who successfully apply for scholarships through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Mesa College has received approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to launch a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapist Assistant, marking the college’s second bachelor’s degree program and expanding access to advanced healthcare education in the region.
SAN DIEGO — San Diego Mesa College has expanded access to bilingual educational services through a partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego, providing weekly, in-person support to community members through the Ventanilla de Orientación Educativa.
