LOCAL STUDENT, GREENWOOD: DSU student awarded Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in South Africa
Cleveland, MS (06/02/2025) — Contact: Christy Riddle FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Phone: (662) 846-4336
Email: criddle@deltastate.edu
DSU student awarded Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in South Africa
CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University student Jakori Johnson of Greenwood has been selected as a recipient of the U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for the Spring 2025 cycle.
A rising senior majoring in Computer Information Systems, Johnson will travel to Cape Town, South Africa, for five weeks to study history, politics, economics, and culture through Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.'s Alpha South Study Abroad Program.
"This is my first trip abroad," said Johnson. "I'm most looking forward to connecting with people through the program and immersing myself in South African cultures. Studying abroad will help me grow personally and professionally by broadening my perspective."
Michelle Johansen, International Student Services Assistant Coordinator and campus Gilman advisor, praised Johnson's achievement. "Congratulations to Jakori on his well-deserved selection as a Gilman Scholar," she said. "This prestigious recognition reflects his academic excellence and passion for cross-cultural learning." Johnson is Delta State's second Gilman recipient in two years.
The U.S. Department of State awarded 3,500 Gilman Scholarships nationwide this spring to undergraduate students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, enabling them to study or intern abroad in more than 170 countries. More than 70 percent of recipients are from rural areas or small towns, and over half are first-generation college students.
Johnson, a fellow in the DSU Honors Program and a McNair Research Scholar, serves as president of the Omicron Psi Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was one of four students selected nationwide by the fraternity to study abroad. He also volunteers with youth at C2K Ministries, Inc. in Cleveland and recently received the 2024-2025 CIS Faculty Award from the College of Business and Aviation.
To support his international experience, Johnson received additional funding from the Ambassador Jeanette Wallace Hyde Endowment and the DSU Goes Global Passport Program. Ambassador Hyde, a 1962 DSU alumna, served as U.S. ambassador to several Caribbean nations from 1994 to 1998. The passport program, funded by DSU alumni and friends, helps eligible students cover the cost of obtaining their first U.S. passport.
The Gilman Scholarship, established by Congress and administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is implemented by the Institute of International Education. The next application cycle opens in August 2025. For more information, visit gilmanscholarship.org.
To learn more about study abroad opportunities at Delta State, visit the International Student Services Office in Union 200 or email Michelle Johansen at mjohansen@deltastate.edu.
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About Delta State University: Delta State University is a four-year public institution whose nearly 2,700 students come from most U.S. states and more than 45 countries. Acknowledging its beginning as a teacher's college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique fields of study. Programs such as those available through the Delta Music Institute, the Commercial Aviation Department, and the Center for Interdisciplinary Geospatial Information highlight the University's commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the students it serves with world-leading, industry-acclaimed programs. Situated in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, Delta State offers top-notch academic programs in business, arts, sciences, nursing, education, and more. DSU Athletics has won 14 national championships, 70 conference championships, and 37 regional titles.
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