Study Abroad Scholarships Provide International Education Opportunities for Two Deserving Morgan Scholars

Benjamin A. Gilman International and Council on International Educational Exchange Scholarships Open Doors to South America and Southwestern Europe

BALTIMORE—Morgan State University (MSU) continues to position its students to see and experience the world, providing them with valuable international learning opportunities through study abroad. Students Kelci Cunnigham and Cynthia Winn are among the latest to benefit, receiving highly coveted scholarships to support their study abroad in South America and Southwest Europe, respectively, during the 2025-26 academic year.

Kelci Cunningham, a sophomore scholar in the Clara I. Adams Honors College, was awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to spend the spring 2026 semester studying in Brazil. As a political science major with minors in economics and Latin American and Caribbean studies, Kelci plans to study inequality with a focus on Afro-Brazilian history and resistance, further deepening her understanding of systemic oppression and preparing her for a future international human rights advocacy career.

"I am becoming my ancestors' wildest dreams," said Cunningham. She is the first in her family to travel internationally and study a foreign language, continuing a legacy of curiosity, resilience, and global engagement.

Cunningham plans to work with international human rights organizations, focusing on equity, dignity, and protecting the well-being of marginalized communities worldwide. The Gilman Scholarship allows her to make her dreams possible through exposure to international education, fully engaging with new cultures, and a deepening understanding of global justice issues.  Studying abroad offers the hands-on experience, cross-cultural communication skills, and global perspective needed to lead in this space. 

This marks the second consecutive year that Morgan students have been named as Gilman Scholars. Since its launch in 2001, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program has awarded more than 44,000 scholarships to students engaging in study abroad programs and internships globally. For the 2025-26 academic year, approximately 3,000 scholarships, each valued up to $5,000, will be awarded to U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad. 

Another student presented with an opportunity to see the world is Cynthia Winn, a sophomore social work major. Winn received a scholarship from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to support international travel to Portugal this summer. While in Portugal, Winn will intern as a Montessori preschool teacher and a social worker, gaining firsthand experience in international education, child development, and social impact, providing her with an understanding of how social work and early childhood education are approached internationally.

“I’ve always had a passion for travel, learning about different cultures, and making a difference in the lives of all children,” said Winn. “Studying abroad in Portugal allows me to step outside of my comfort zone, grow both personally and professionally, and deepen my understanding of how social work and early childhood education are approached internationally, not just within my own country’s lens.”

Since its founding, CIEE has built bridges between people, countries, and cultures through study abroad and international exchange programs that seek to advance world peace. Its mission is centered on helping gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world through meaningful exchange programs. CIEE awards more than $8 million in scholarships and grants annually to enhance access to international education. 

Added Winn, “This experience is a key part of my journey to becoming a more compassionate and culturally aware social worker and an opportunity I’m so thankful and grateful to be able to take advantage of!”

Congratulations to Kelci Cunningham and Cynthia Winn as they embark upon their global learning experiences, as Bears Beyond Borders.