Students Selected for Cheney First Gen Abroad Scholars at UW

Five University of Wyoming students are the latest Cheney First Gen Abroad Scholars cohort members.

In conjunction with National First-Generation College Celebration Day Friday, Nov. 8, UW's Education Abroad announced the recipients who were selected from a pool of applicants based on their demonstrated commitment to efforts toward planning a future study abroad program at UW.

Since its inception in 2020, 45 students have benefited from UW's Cheney First Gen Abroad Scholarship Program.

The latest scholarship recipients, listed by hometown, name and major, are:

Afton -- Rafael Villa, journalism.

Cheyenne -- Zcherina Villegas, English and anthropology, with a minor in honors.

Laramie -- Jasmin Lopez, physiology.

Stuart, Fla. -- Isabella Raccuglia, animal and veterinary sciences.

Torrington -- Chloe Copenbarger, psychology, with a minor in Spanish.

UW Education Abroad advisers will mentor students in the cohort to ensure that they engage in international events at UW; maintain a 3.0 GPA; select a study abroad program relevant to their academics; apply for a passport; and seek additional funding opportunities to assist with a study abroad program.

Students who meet the requirements of the scholarship are guaranteed an award of up to $6,000, plus passport fees.

All awardees must be freshmen at the time of application, with fewer than 30 credits earned at UW, and first-generation college students, with neither parent earning a bachelor's degree.

Shelley Jewell, UW Education Abroad director and Cheney First Gen Abroad Scholarship mentor, highlights the uniqueness of the scholarship program.

"What sets this program apart is the importance of the mentorship aspect; the longevity of working with students while they select a program abroad; and giving them skills to be prepared and successful abroad," Jewell says.

This scholarship is part of the Cheney Study Abroad Scholarship Fund, which is currently the largest endowment for study abroad of any public land-grant university in the nation. Thanks to the generosity of former Vice President Dick Cheney and second lady Lynne Cheney, UW students can apply for grants to help cover the costs associated with a study abroad program.

UW Education Abroad and the Cheney First Gen Abroad Scholarship are supported by the UW Global Engagement Office.

For more information about the Cheney Scholarship Fund for Study Abroad, visit the website here.