Illinois Valley Community College is celebrating the achievement of freshman Danica Scoma, who has been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which pays undergraduates up to $5,000 to cover the costs of studying abroad. Scoma is set to enhance her academic pursuits by studying abroad in Seville, Spain, this upcoming summer, courtesy of the college’s International Study Program. Her selection as one of 200 nationwide recipients from two-year institutions highlights her exceptional academic and extracurricular record. This scholarship not only represents a significant personal achievement for Scoma but also shines a light on the opportunities provided by community colleges for global education.
She wrote in her application essay that international study will make her a “global innovator rather than a spectator,” and that being bilingual will be useful in her prospective career as an art therapist or social worker providing support to underserved populations. “I want to give back and help people, and how can I do that if I cannot communicate with them?” she asked in her essay.
