Sign Up to Be a Scholarship Reviewer
Each year the Learning Abroad Center administers over $500,000 in study abroad scholarships for UofM students. These scholarships often play a big role in easing the financial impact of studying abroad. Administration of these important scholarships is achievable because of the fantastic faculty and staff from across the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities campus who give their time to review Learning Abroad Center scholarships. Thank you for considering giving your time to help with this important process.
What Is My Commitment as a Scholarship Reviewer?
- Read 20–25 two-page essays/applications or 40–50 one-page essays/applications.
- Give each essay a numeric score using a simple rubric for guidance
- Most reviewers spend 2–3 hours total reading and scoring essays
- The entire process is online. There are no in-person meetings. You do not need to be on campus during the time of review.
- Following the scholarship deadline, the Learning Abroad Center will send you a confirmation email with instructions on how to access and score your assigned essays via the LAC's Online Scholarship Portal.
Upcoming Reviewer Opportunities
Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship
Read more about the Gopher Study Abroad Scholarship.
Essays assigned to reviewers: February 16, 2026
Individual reviewer scores due: March 2, 2026
We have received enough reviewers for this application cycle. We will have another cycle early in the fall 2026 semester and will request reviewers again at that time. See below for opportunities with our other primary award, the Liftoff Study Abroad Scholarship.
Liftoff Study Abroad Scholarship
Read more about the Liftoff Study Abroad Scholarship
Essays assigned to reviewers: April 20, 2026
Individual reviewer scores due: May 4, 2026
We have received enough reviewers for this application cycle. We will have another cycle in the fall 2026 semester and will request reviewers again at that time.
Past Scholarship Reviewers
The Learning Abroad Center would like to say thank you to our outstanding colleagues from across the University of Minnesota for volunteering their time and expertise to participate as study abroad scholarship reviewers. Study abroad scholarships have the ability to enable our students to participate in learning abroad experiences that can have a life changing impact on their academic, career, and personal goals. The support of the following individuals has made it possible for us to award these scholarships to deserving students over the 2025–26 academic year:
*For those who reviewed more than once for 2025-26 academic year scholarships, the number of times they reviewed is noted in parentheses.
Carlson School of Management
Kate Johnson (2)
Ahna Rushmann (2)
Chuehue Vang
Center for Academic Planning & Exploration
Kristin Farrell
College of Biological Sciences
Parker Paulson-Smith (2)
Meena Vasudevan
College of Continuing and Professional Studies
Alissa Bigelow
Ashley Cruz (2)
Connie Hessburg-Odland
College of Design
Betsy Mowry Voss
College of Education & Human Development
Jehanne Beaton
Reggie Gandy (2)
Phuong Geiger
Veronica Myers Ryden (2)
Katie Niznik
Charissa O'Neill
Mallory Schweim (2)
Andrea Silva
Ellen Sunshine
Steven Wicks (2)
True Xiong (2)
College of Food, Agricultural & Natural Resource Sciences
Marissa Caskey
Grant McCormack
Michelle Overtoom (2)
Robin Perez
College of Liberal Arts
Lisa Clark
Olivia Crull (2)
Alex Davenport
Katie Detwiler
Aaron Todd Douglas (2)
Kersten Falvey
Judy Grandbois (5)
Korrina Griffith (2)
Nicole Grove
Fadumo Haji-Aweis
Anthony Herr (3)
Claire Hilgeman
Josie Kahlenbeck
Kathryn Kluegel
Angela Koenig
Stephanie Lawrence
Peter Mackenzie
Tucker Marks
Jessica Osfar
Laura Pester
Paul Peterson (2)
Margaret Rodgers (2)
Ah Vang-Lo
Natalie Wharton
Katie Willer
Ellen Wormwood
Maryanne Williams Smoczyk
Christopher Xaphadky (2)
College of Science & Engineering
Sarah Hilger
Erin Piper
Inês Sacchetti (2)
Brandon Vue
College of Veterinary Medicine
Violeta Bonneville
Disability Resource Center
Rachel Anderson
Graduate School
Marie Monter
Housing & Residential Life
Mia Cox
Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Deeplina Banerjee
Abbe Holmgren (2)
Learning Abroad Center
Clara Arent
Anna Dewitt
Jackie Gmiterko
Molly Green
Paula Haeder
Jaclyn Lewine
Antonia Lortis
Ryan McCarthy (2)
Ashley Metz
Stuart Robbins-Butcher (2)
Maria Schrupp
Claire Volna
Medical School
Jasmyne Short
Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence
Daniel Morales (2)
Office for National and International Scholarships
Ja'de Till
Office for Student Affairs
Julianna Jaeger
Melanie Soland (3)
Office of Student Finance
Joey Reindl (2)
One Stop Student Services
Amelia Casas
Ralph Daby
Orientation & Transition Experiences
Samantha Yang
President's Emerging Scholars Program
Joe McMahon (2)
School of Public Health
Tony Och (2)
University Honors Program
Vanessa Cambier (2)
Arpum Mehmi
Stephanie Sparrow
Alejandra Watkins-Melgarejo
UofM-Rochester
Miranda Nelson (2)
Rachel Olson
Gerrit VanSteenbergen