Jamal Henderson Becomes Jax State’s Second Gilman Scholarship Recipient

01/24/2025

By Brett Buckner 

Jax State sophomore Jamal Henderson has been awarded the 2024-2025 Gilman Scholarship Award to study abroad. Henderson, a 20-year-old native of Miami, Fla., majoring in social work, will spend the summer living and studying in Spain. "This is such a renowned thing and such an honor to be considered," Henderson said. "It took a lot of hard work and guidance to get me there." Henderson is the second Jax State student to be awarded the Gilman Scholarship in as many years. Cara Archer spent last summer in South Korea and was the first recipient.   

Henderson, who currently lives in the International House, credits International House director Ingrid Galinat with suggesting he apply and helping him through the rigorous application process. "She really helped boost my confidence because she'd worked with someone who'd also won," he said. "The application process was very demanding … so many essays that I started working months in advance," Henderson said, laughing, "I'd never have been able to do it without all the help I got from the International House."  

Henderson found out he'd won over winter break. "December was a huge month for me," he said. "It was stressful because I was applying for the Gilman Scholarship and a Resident Assistant position at the International House." When Henderson received the Gilman email, he was initially too nervous to open it. "I was freaking out," he said. "And then it took like 20 seconds to load. When I finally saw it, I was ecstatic." 

Henderson will spend a month this summer living with a host family in Spain. Having studied Spanish, Henderson was looking to study abroad in a country where he might live in the future. "Spain just made more sense," he said. "Interacting with a variety of different cultures, Spain is just so diverse compared to other places. There's also the nature aspect. I love the environment." 

Henderson is well-traveled … in a sense. While living in Miami, his mother worked for Royal Caribbean cruise lines, and when he moved to Alabama, she worked in Carnival. "So I've always been on cruises for most of my life, at least until COVID changed all that," he said. "I'm used to different countries, but it's never been for any length of time. It'll be nice to go to other countries and see more than the tourist version." This summer trip to Spain will not be Henderson's first plane flight, but it will be his first time landing. "The first time I was ever in a plane was when I went skydiving, so that was just jumping out," he said. "I've never actually flown anywhere … for any length of time. I'm also the first one in my family to own a passport."

Though he's still in the planning phase, Henderson already appreciates the opportunity the Gilman Scholarship will provide. "I think this will accelerate my maturity," he said. "It will be the next step of my growth and help me realize who I am as a person." 

The U.S. Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.