Opening Doors to the World

Brookdale Community College Named Gilman Program 25th Anniversary Top Producing Institution

Brookdale Community College has been recognized by the U.S. Department of State as a Gilman Program 25th Anniversary Top Producing Institution in the Associate’s Colleges category a national honor highlighting Brookdale’s leadership in expanding access to global education opportunities for students.

This distinction recognizes institutions that have supported the highest number of Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients from 2001 to 2025. To date, 26 Brookdale students have earned Gilman Scholarships, underscoring the College’s leadership in expanding access to study abroad opportunities.

The announcement was announced at The Forum on Education Abroad Annual Conference, with Brookdale included on the official list of Top Producing Institutions at GilmanScholarship.org.

Funded by the U.S. Government and administered by the Institute of International Education, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides merit-based awards to undergraduate students with financial need, enabling them to study or intern abroad for academic credit.

The recognition underscores Brookdale’s commitment to removing barriers and creating life-changing global learning experiences for students who may have once believed studying abroad was out of reach.

“This recognition reflects Brookdale’s commitment to expanding opportunity and empowering students to engage with the world beyond our campus,” said Dr. David M. Stout, President of Brookdale Community College. “Through programs like the Gilman Scholarship, our students gain not only academic enrichment, but also the global perspective and confidence needed to thrive in today’s interconnected workforce.”

The Gilman Program was established by Congress in 2001 and is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, alongside the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking a shared commitment to preparing globally engaged citizens.

Brookdale students have already experienced the transformative power of the Gilman Scholarship.

For Jessica, a Pell Grant recipient from Monmouth County, what began as a casual stop at Brookdale’s International Education Center became a journey abroad she never imagined possible.

“I’m a lower-income, older student living on my own, and I never thought studying abroad was possible,” she said. “This scholarship broke down that barrier and gave me experiences I’ll carry forever.”

With support from the Gilman Scholarship, Jessica traveled to Amsterdam as part of a faculty-led Abnormal Psychology course. The experience combined academic learning with cultural immersion, including visits to the Anne Frank House and the Van Gogh Museum.

“It was more than a class, it was a life-changing experience,” she said. “I came back more aware, more empathetic, and more confident in what I can do.”

Other Brookdale recipients have pursued opportunities across the globe.

Vanessa used her Gilman Scholarship to study Japanese language and culture in Tokyo.

“I don’t think it would have been possible for me to study abroad without it,” she said. “This is an incredible opportunity.”

Caitlyn studied German in Heidelberg, Germany, during a 16-week semester abroad.

“I’ve never studied abroad before, this will be my first time leaving the country,” she said. “It’s exciting to open myself up to new ideas and independence in a completely different culture.”

These experiences are central to the Gilman Program’s mission: equipping American students with critical skills that strengthen economic competitiveness, cultural understanding, and global leadership.

Brookdale’s recognition as a Top Producing Institution affirms its role as a national leader in preparing students to compete successfully for prestigious scholarships and to engage meaningfully with the world.

Students interested in studying abroad or applying for the Gilman Scholarship can visit Brookdale’s International Education Center or explore programs online at brookdalecc.edu/international/study-abroad.

About the Gilman Scholarship Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides merit-based scholarships to talented undergraduate students with financial need to study or intern abroad. The program supports American students in gaining skills critical to national security and economic prosperity through international education.