The Gateway Pledge
Proud to Commit 3% of Revenue in Support of International Learning and Professional Development.
Proud to Commit 3% of Revenue in Support of International Learning and Professional Development.
Gateway International Group commits 3% of its revenue to support international learning and engagement. These funds are directed to organizations aligned with our mission, including the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA), which provides scholarships to underrepresented students in U.S. education abroad. We also prioritize initiatives that enhance professional development and career pathways for current and future leaders in international education.
Gateway International Group commits 3% of revenue to broadly support international learning and engagement. These funds are directed to organizations aligned with our mission, including the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA), which provides scholarships to underrepresented students in U.S. education abroad. We also prioritize initiatives that aim to enhance professional development and career pathways for current and future leaders in international education.
In partnership with the Fund for Education Abroad, Gateway offers the Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship. The scholarship aims to increase access to education abroad programming, specifically among traditionally underrepresented populations. Preference is given to applicants who are first-generation college students and students whose home or college of study are in Kentucky. The Scholarship provides between $1,000 to $10,000 to U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled at a college or university in the U.S.
2022-2023
2022-2023
2023-2024
2023-2024
2023-2024
2023-2024
2023-2024
2025-2026
2025-2026
2024-2025
2024-2025
2025
2025
2026
Gateway International Group is committed to advancing professional development and creating career pathways for current and future leaders in international education. Through targeted funding initiatives, we empower professionals and associations dedicated to strengthening the field of international education. Gateway provides grants to individuals, supports research projects, and sponsors conferences and events that bring together emerging and established professionals. By prioritizing these efforts, we aim to ensure the international education community remains dynamic, innovative, and equipped to address the evolving challenges of global engagement.
2025
2025
2025
Please join us in supporting international learning and engagement. Your contribution to the Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship is an investment in international learning and engagement.
“Hello” in your host country’s language: Konnichiwa
Home Institution (your U.S. University/College): SUNY Geneseo
Expected graduation year: 2023
Destination city & country: Tokyo, Japan
Program provider: Rikkyo University
Major/minor: History
Demographics: Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student
Future career aspirations:
Top 3 goals for your time abroad:
Home Institution: University of Kentucky
Expected Graduation Year: 2024
Academic Major / Minor: International Studies / Political Science & Peace Studies
Destination: Tokyo, Japan
“Hello” in your host country’s language: こんにちは
Demographics: Asian/Asian American, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student
Future Career Goals: To work in a government level role that specializes in global diplomacy/politics.
Top Three Study Abroad Goals: To experience as many parts/prefectures of Japan as possible; To learn how to be independent mentally and financially; To improve my Japanese skills up to a comfortable conversational level.
Pronouns: He/him
Home Institution: Western Kentucky University
Expected Graduation: 2025
Major / Minor: Electrical Engineering
Study Abroad Location: Kyoto, Japan
“Hello” in your host country’s language: こんにちは！
Program Provider: CIEE
Identity: First-Generation College Student, Returning/Adult Learner
Future Career Goals: I wish to work in robotics and would love to make business trips to Japan for work in that field.
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad: Immersion, Exploration, Education
Pronouns: She/her
Home Institution: University of Louisville
Expected Graduation: 2025
Major / Minor: Asian Studies
Study Abroad Location: Seoul, South Korea
“Hello” in your host country’s language: 안녕하세요!
Program Provider: USAC
Identity: First-Generation College Student
Future Career Goals: Whether it be as a college professor here in the states informing students on the intricacies of East Asian culture, or as an English teacher overseas, I know that my career goals are to teach the future generations!
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad: My goals while studying abroad are: to learn Korean, to make meaningful connections with those around me, and to generally step out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences, places, and people.
Home Institution: University of Kentucky
Expected Graduation Year: 2024
Academic Major / Minor: International Studies / Political Science & Peace Studies
Destination: Tokyo, Japan
“Hello” in your host country’s language: こんにちは
Demographics: Asian/Asian American, First-Generation American, First-Generation College Student
Future Career Goals: To work in a government level role that specializes in global diplomacy/politics.
Top Three Study Abroad Goals: To experience as many parts/prefectures of Japan as possible; To learn how to be independent mentally and financially; To improve my Japanese skills up to a comfortable conversational level.
Pronouns: she/her
Expected Graduation: May 2024
Major / Minor: Healthcare Administration
Identity: Asian/Asian American, First-Generation College Student, Transfer Student
Future Career Goals:
My goal is to close the accessibility gap in healthcare access and ensure that everyone, from all backgrounds, can access the care they need. I am committed to speaking up for refugees and advocating for high-quality healthcare. My journey is not just a personal one but a shared commitment to improving the lives of those who continue to suffer in silence.
Study Abroad Goals:
Gain knowledge of healthcare systems from a global perspective.
Gain knowledge and experience on how communities come together to help in healthcare.
Gain more understanding of different approaches to healthcare to effect significant changes in my own community.
Use the knowledge to give back to my community and people in need.
Pronouns: He/him
Expected Graduation: 2024
Major / Minor: Religious Studies / Chinese and TESOL (Certificate)
Identity: Hispanic/Latinx, LGBTQ+
Future Career Goals
English teacher in South Korea
Expected Graduation: 2026
Major / Minor: English Professional Writing & Business Strategic Marketing / Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) & Global Business
Program Provider: Hanyang International Summer School (HISS)
Future Career Goals:
I plan to live and work in South Korea long-term, initially as an English instructor before utilizing my marketing background as a bilingual public relations specialist or marketing professional for a South Korean company.
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:
I wish to learn about the Korean business landscape—perspectives on the global marketplace, international partnerships, and locally owned and small business culture—by interacting with students, professors, and native South Koreans interested in the business industry.
I wish to improve my Korean language skills through meaningful interactions with South Koreans, ultimately participating in personal exchanges and creating long-lasting friendships.
I wish to enhance my cross-cultural understanding by pursuing opportunities to immerse myself in various aspects of South Korean culture—visiting numerous restaurants to try Korean food, taking public transportation like the Seoul Metropolitan Subway, etc.
Expected Graduation: 2026
Major / Minor: Business Managment
Program Provider: WKU Faculty-Led
Future Career Goals:
My goal for the future is to find opportunities in Human Resource Management. Specifically becoming a recruiter for a company or organization.
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:
Gain more cultural awareness, Discover more about the African diaspora, Make international connections and friendships
Expected Graduation:2025
Major / Minor: Psychology, Music
Program Provider: Bilateral Exchange – Bellarmine University and Ewha Womans University
Future Career Goals:
I hope to get a master’s degree and become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, and to explore the consulting component of the field. I will also continue to use my music degree to perform and create whenever possible!
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:
My primary goals while abroad are to come to a deeper understanding of both myself and the world around me through the lens of my majors, to improve my Korean language skills (becoming as close to fluent as possible), and to grow into a more competitive graduate school and job applicant.
Expected Graduation: 2025
Major / Minor: Psychology
Program Provider: Aix Marseille University
Studying In: Taipei, Taiwan
Scholarship: Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship
Major/Minor: East Asian Studies China concentration/Chinese flagship
Program Provider: Mandarin Training Center of National Taiwan Normal University
Future Career Goals: TEFL Teacher (teach English foreign language)
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:
To get a better understanding of the culture and language practice.
To become more comfortable with living abroad. Because my future goal is to live in China or Taiwan. I want to use this time to prepare myself.
To discover a new aspect of myself. I’ve learned with each new challenge in my life. I find out something new about myself and I’m interested in seeing what studying abroad in Asia will open up for me.
Shawn Wall is a self-made international educator, nonprofit leader, and passionate advocate for equitable access to global learning. Born and raised in Denver, he is the Founder and Executive Director of World at Hand, a grassroots nonprofit that introduces underrepresented students to global education opportunities. Since launching the organization in 2020, Shawn has helped hundreds of students—primarily in the Denver area—gain exposure to study abroad, receive passports, and access scholarships.
His mission is expanding across Colorado and the U.S., with programs designed to holistically support students through every stage of international education—from initial exposure to post-abroad professional development—while also bridging urban and rural communities through cross-cultural exchange. A former study abroad student turned local and global changemaker, Shawn draws on over a decade of international experience to design programs that make the world more accessible, one student at a time.
Project: Empowering the Future of Global Education
This multi-part initiative integrates disability inclusion, rural access, and post-study abroad career development into a nationally scalable model. The project includes piloting the Beyond Borders: Next Steps career readiness program, expanding the Global Scholars Pathway (GSP) to rural Colorado, and contributing to a panel session at NAFSA 2025 focused on the future of disability inclusion in global education. Grant funds will support Shawn’s participation in the NAFSA panel, implementation of the Beyond Borders pilot, and rural outreach efforts. This project enhances his leadership in inclusive global education while expanding access for underserved student communities across the country.
Pingchien Neo, Ph.D. is the Director of International Engineering Programs at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. She earned her Ph.D. from UF in 2024 and holds a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from UC Berkeley, as well as an M.S. from ETH Zürich in Switzerland. Before entering academia, she worked in the engineering industry across the U.S., Malaysia, Taiwan, and Switzerland. Pingchien began her academic career as a lecturer in UF’s Nuclear Engineering Program before transitioning into her current role. She brings a global perspective to engineering education and is passionate about helping students pursue international experiences. Under her leadership, UF’s International Engineering Programs have grown significantly, with more students participating in global study, research, internships, and service learning.
Project: Evaluating the Impact of Inclusive International Education
This professional development project uses a mixed-methods approach to assess how inclusive program design—particularly for students with disabilities and those from underrepresented backgrounds—impacts learning outcomes in UF’s London program. The grant will support a research study that evaluates the effectiveness of inclusive international education programs. Funding will cover licensing for the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), travel to conduct on-site research in London, and materials for data collection and dissemination. The project will strengthen Pingchien’s expertise in inclusive program evaluation and generate actionable insights for the broader field of international education.
Year: 2025
Award: Gateway/Compear International Education Administrators Grant
Organization: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Title: Director of the Office of International Affairs
Project: Bridging the Gap: Expanding Access to Global Learning Through Mentorship and Inclusive Curriculum
Focus: Focus: Mentorship, inclusive curriculum, HBCU access
Dr. Kimberly Tyson is the Director of the Office of International Affairs at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she leads the university’s global engagement strategy, including study abroad programs, international student and scholar services, and international partnerships. With over 18 years of experience, she has advanced international initiatives across higher education and federal programs, fostering collaboration, cross-cultural learning, and accessible global opportunities for students and faculty.
A 2024–2025 Fulbright Scholar to France, Dr. Tyson is widely recognized for her work to create opportunities for underrepresented students and faculty to engage globally. Her leadership continues to strengthen institutional capacity for meaningful, equity-centered internationalization.
This grant supports Dr. Tyson’s initiative to increase access to and awareness of international education among historically underrepresented student populations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), with a focus on Black students.
The program combines two components:
A culturally responsive mentorship network, where trained mentors (faculty, staff, alumni, and peers) provide identity-affirming support for students navigating barriers such as financial constraints and fear of isolation abroad.
Inclusive curriculum modules that embed global perspectives, highlight communities of color, and foster reflection on the intersection of identity and global engagement.
Through mentorship, classroom integration, and faculty collaboration, this initiative aims to build student confidence and strengthen institutional capacity for inclusive global learning. A digital toolkit featuring mentorship models and curriculum resources will be made publicly available, with dissemination planned through NAFSA, Diversity Abroad, and related professional networks.
This project directly aligns with the Gateway Grant’s mission to advance equity-centered practices and scalable frameworks in international education.
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
