Manhattan University Student Receives Prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

Manhattan University proudly announced that Daniela Ramirez was awarded the prestigious U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship through the Institute of International Education at the State Department. According to the State Department’s website, the Gilman Scholarship “…supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity.” Applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of their applications.

Ramirez, an East Meadow, NY native, recently completed her junior year at Manhattan University where she is a psychology major with double minors in criminology and general business. She has served as an Admissions Ambassador for the University for three years, volunteered with the New York City Department of Correction, and mentored and tutored low-income Bronx youths through the New York City Police Department Options program. Her Gilman Scholarship will take her to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, later this month to participate in a two-week immersive study of comparative criminology between the U.S. and the Netherlands. She plans to continue her studies in criminology upon her graduation from Manhattan University in May, 2026

Frederick Bonato, Ph.D. Interim President of Manhattan University stated, “This is a wonderful opportunity for Daniela. The Gilman Scholarships are well-known for the broadening experience they offer students, and I know that Daniela will take full advantage of studying abroad and all that it offers.”

According to Ramirez, she will develop a digital photo essay and short video clips to showcase daily life in Amsterdam, including site visits to The Hague and interactions with local residents. As a first-generation university student, she is eager to share what she learns with her fellow-students at Manhattan University, many of whom are also first-generation students coming from diverse cultural heritages.

The mission of the Gilman Program includes:

• Developing a generation of future American leaders with the career skills and international networks to advance U.S. national security and economic prosperity;
• Supporting young Americans to gain the professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge of the world needed for successful careers; and
• Expanding the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values critical to national security.