Three Rutgers University–Camden students have been selected as Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholars for the Spring 2026 semester. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the selective, merit-based scholarship supports students with financial need as they pursue academic study or research abroad. All three recipients are first-generation college students and together represent each of Rutgers–Camden’s three undergraduate colleges.
“We are incredibly proud of our newest cohort of Gilman Scholars,” said Laura Collins, founding director of the Office of Scholar Development and Fellowship Advising at Rutgers–Camden. “These students embody a deep commitment to learning, growth, and exploration, and they truly reflect the values of our university. This experience will further strengthen their academic paths and support their future professional goals.”
Below are profiles of the Gilman Scholarship recipients.
Christien Brown, Sophomore
Rutgers School of Business–Camden
From an early age, Christien Nicole Brown developed a strong sense of responsibility and purpose. Growing up in Trenton, New Jersey, she learned to face challenges with determination, and view education as a pathway to economic opportunity. Now a Rutgers–Camden student with a strong interest in economic development and global economic systems, Brown is focused on using international learning to better understand how global industries shape access and opportunity.
“My goal is to expand opportunities for underrepresented communities, proving that challenges, whether financial or personal, can be transformed into platforms for success,” Brown said.
Brown will use her Gilman Scholarship to participate in the Council on International Educational Exchange’s (CIEE) January in Paris program, where she will study fashion and business. The immersive course explores fashion marketing through analyses of current trends, the history of fashion, evolving consumer tastes, and the fundamental relationship between fashion and global business.
“I want to examine how culture shapes consumer behavior in one of the world’s most influential industries,” Brown said. “This program aligns perfectly with my interest in how global industries shape economic systems. The Gilman Scholarship is the key that unlocks my ability to study global market dynamics firsthand.”
After returning to campus, Brown hopes to share her experience with fellow students and encourage others to consider international opportunities, particularly those who may not see studying abroad as an experience available or open to them.
“I have come to understand that the barriers I’ve faced don't define my limits,” Brown said. “It’s important for me to share with others that their 'immediate surroundings' do not have to be their final destination.”
Eva Chen, Senior
College of Arts & Sciences
Eva Chen has long been drawn to systems, numbers, and problem-solving. As a computer science major at Rutgers–Camden, she has transformed that interest into a passion for data and technology, while also becoming deeply involved in campus life. Chen serves as an advisor to the Association for Computing Machinery and the Math Club, treasurer of both the Math Club and Bridging First Generation Students, and vice president of the Animal Science Club.
Chen will use her Gilman Scholarship to participate in the Rutgers Global Embedded Spring 2026 program in Taiwan, where she will study the country’s pivotal role in the global semiconductor industry.
“As a computer science major with minors in mathematics, physics, and management information sciences, understanding how hardware, data, and leadership intersect is critical to my future career,” Chen said. “This experience will give me insight into how global technology systems are built and managed beyond the U.S. context.”
She credits Rutgers–Camden’s close-knit community and strong faculty and staff support for giving her the confidence to pursue ambitious academic and professional goals.
“Rutgers–Camden creates an environment where students are encouraged to try new things, take on responsibility, and grow quickly,” Chen said. “That mindset has shaped my experience here and is now taking me abroad.”
Tia Franco, Senior
School of Nursing
Tia Franco arrived at Rutgers–Camden after serving in the United States Navy for six years, but as an older student, she initially found it difficult to adjust.
“As a veteran who was quite a bit older than my classmates, it was a struggle,” Franco said. “It’s challenging to make friends when you are in a different phase of your life.”
Franco overcame that initial hurdle by becoming involved on campus, seeking out new experiences, and stepping outside her comfort zone. Now a senior in Rutgers–Camden’s School of Nursing, Franco continues to embrace new opportunities by learning abroad.
She received a Gilman Scholarship, which she initially hoped to use to travel abroad in January 2026 to participate in a clinical nursing program in Jamaica. However, due to catastrophic storm damage from Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, the United States Department of State revised its travel advisory recommendations, and Franco was unable to use her award as she had expected. But like any good nurse, she considered her options and adjusted her plan.
“Thankfully, I was able to find another program, and I’ll be traveling to Romania during spring break this year thanks to my Gilman Scholarship,” said Franco. She was also able to fund her initial trip to Jamaica with a Pell grant, and she emphasized that her determination to find a way to take advantage of both experiences stems from her understanding of the rewards that come from being involved and engaged.
“I learned so much about myself and the culture of Jamaica, and it truly sparked a passion in me in terms of caring for others,” said Franco. “As I look forward to my Romania trip, I hope to continue to gain knowledge about the social determinants of health and bring what I learn to my future practice as a nurse.”
Become a Gilman Scholar!
The Spring 2026 Gilman Scholarship application cycle is now open. A Gilman Scholarship provides up to $5,000 in merit-based funding to U.S. undergraduates to use toward an international, credit-bearing experience, including Rutgers–Camden’s Learning Abroad programs and Rutgers–Global opportunities. OSDFA will host an information session via Zoom on Wednesday, January 28, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. (learn more by clicking here).
OSDFA will also host walk-in hours on Friday, February 20, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Career Advancement Center. The team is also available for appointments by visiting these links: meet with Jordan Meyers-Staub or with Laura Collins
