Students of diverse backgrounds and disciplines have come through our doors. They dedicate months of time and effort into preparing for and applying to internationally and nationally competitive fellowships. Some have received awards. Some have not but learned about themselves through the process. They used the skills, knowledge and drive gained through this experience to get accepted into graduate school, Peace Corps, and other opportunities that have enriched their lives. Here are a few of their stories.
April 1, 2026
Rachel Mueller Earns Critical Language Scholarship
Rachel Mueller, a senior anthropology and international studies (east Asian studies) double major who is also pursuing the Honors College Certificate, is now a two-time Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) fainlist. Photo courtesy of Rachel Mueller. Story by Logan Jackson Two years ago, Rachel Mueller spent the summer refining her Korean language skills while on vacation with her father in South Korea. She learned enough to order at a restaurant and make purchases at various stores and soon began searching for further opportunities to expand her Korean language abilities. The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) provided her that opportunity, and Mueller spent…
March 16, 2026
MU Excels Shines Spotlight on Mentors, Students
Marcello Mogetta (center), associate professor of Roman art and archaeology, was honored with the Robin G. Walker Award during last week’s MU Excels event. This award was established in 2022, in collaboration with the Mizzou Graduate School, to recognize a faculty or staff member who has effectively supported a Mizzou graduate or professional student’s efforts in applying for a globally or nationally competitive award. Mogetta is pictured with Robin Walker (left) and student nominator Caitlyn Pallas, a Ph.D. candidate in archaeology. Story and photo by Logan Jackson Mizzou students pursue numerous nationally competitive grants, scholarships and fellowships each year – but…
March 3, 2026
Caleb Simpson Named Finalist for Prestigious Truman Scholarship
Caleb Simpson, a junior agribusiness management major from Bolivar, Missouri, who is also pursuing the Honors College Certificate, was recently named a finalist for the Truman Scholarship. Story and photo by Logan Jackson Toward the end of his freshman year at Mizzou, Caleb Simpson received an unexpected email from the Office of Global and National Fellowships; he had been anonymously recommended for an introductory meeting with the office. “I was definitely intrigued by the email,” said Simpson, an agribusiness management major from Bolivar, Missouri, who is also pursuing the Honors College Certificate. “I had never really considered that applying for…
Jan. 5, 2026
Five Mizzou Students Receive Gilman Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson Five University of Missouri students will have the opportunity to travel overseas after receiving the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recently. The scholarship enables students with financial barriers to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to U.S. security and economic prosperity. “The Gilman Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity for students to take their college experience to another level,” said Erik Potter, program manager for the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships. The Office of Global and National Fellowships collaborates with Mizzou Study Abroad on advising and application support…
Nov. 6, 2025
Josh Donaldson Named Finalist for Rhodes, Marshall Scholarships
Story and photo by Logan Jackson Less than a year after receiving the prestigious Truman Scholarship, Josh Donaldson is gearing up for another distinguished scholarship interview. Donaldson was recently chosen as a Rhodes Scholarship finalist. “I am honored to be a Rhodes finalist and incredibly excited to meet the other finalists in November,” Donaldson said. “I am grateful for the Office of Global and National Fellowships, my mentors on campus and my family back home for helping me get to this point. This application process challenged me more than any other. Through intense introspection and reflection on my experience, I…
Sep. 17, 2025
Four Gilman Scholars Explore Their Interests in Thailand
Arch Kimbriel was one of four U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship recipients who studied abroad in Thailand this summer at the Elephant Nature Park. Photo courtesy of Arch Kimbriel. Story by Logan Jackson Over the past six years, the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has provided funding for more than 100 Mizzou students to further their education across the globe through study abroad. The program enables students with financial barriers to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to U.S. security and economic prosperity. This summer, four recent Gilman Scholarship…
June 11, 2025
Seven Mizzou Grads Selected for Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Story by Logan Jackson Seven University of Missouri students were selected to travel abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and another four Tigers are alternates if additional funding becomes available. The prestigious award provides scholarships for recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals to undertake research, study or teaching abroad. The program aims to promote cross-cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the United States and other countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and hold a bachelor’s degree – or the equivalent – before the start of the grant. The application process is highly competitive and involves several stages, including…
May 23, 2025
Derek Dannaldson Named Boren Award Recipient
Story by Logan Jackson The Boren Awards give undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity – and funding – to pursue a wide range of critical languages, such as Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian or Swahili. It’s an award that caught the interest of Derek Dannaldson last year. He worked with the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships to craft an application and was named an alternate. Derek Dannaldson Dannaldson made the decision to apply for the scholarship again this year. While he was originally named an alternate, he was recently promoted to a recipient. “Receiving the Boren acceptance email…
May 13, 2025
Multiple Mizzou Students Receive Gilman Scholarship
Story by Logan Jackson Published on May 13, 2025 Fifteen University of Missouri students will have the opportunity to travel overseas after receiving the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship this spring. The scholarship enables students with financial barriers to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to U.S. security and economic prosperity. “The Gilman Scholarship is a terrific opportunity for students to take their college experience to the next level,” said Erik Potter, program manager for the Mizzou Office of Global and National Fellowships. “Even more, all of the students who worked on their…
April 28, 2025
Emma Nicoson Named American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellow
Emma Nicoson’s friend, Aaron See (pictured left), learned he was suffering from retinitis pigmentosa in his mid-20s. Their discussions led Nicoson to begin research focused on improving accessibility for the blind and visually impaired within the field of fashion. Photo courtesy of Emma Nicoson. Story by Logan Jackson Published on April 28, 2025 In his mid-20s, one of Emma Nicoson’s best friends learned that he was suffering from retinitis pigmentosa, a rare and progressive eye disease that leads to the deterioration of the retinas. A simple request from that friend made Nicoson come to an important realization. “My friend was…