COD Student Omar Escamilla Receives Place on Fulbright Summer Institute in Scotland
College of DuPage student Omar Escamilla of Hanover Park has received a place on a Fulbright Summer Institute at the University of Dundee and the University of Strathclyde in Scotland.
The Fulbright Summer Institute is one of the most prestigious and selective summer scholarship programs operating in the world. Escamilla was selected from a strong applicant pool to participate in the five-week cultural and academic program entitled "Scotland: Identity, Culture and Innovation." In addition to learning about the heritage and history of Scotland, participants will visit the Scottish Parliament, museums and historical sites.
Escamilla, who recently graduated with his Associate in Arts degree, was a member of the Student Leadership Council, Campus Crusade for Christ, Latino Ethic Awareness Association and the Philosophy Club. He also was the Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa and served as the Student Trustee on the school's Board of Trustees during the 2014-15 academic year.
Ever since he was little, Escamilla has been fascinated by travelling and understanding different cultures and new perspectives.
"I find beauty in stripping away all norms and immersing myself into another culture and a new way of life," he said. "For example, in summer of 2014, I received an award through the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program and was able to participate in COD's Summer Language Study Abroad in Italy."
Escamilla is also one of only 85 students nationwide to receive the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, which consists of $40,000 annually to cover educational expenses. He is transferring to DePaul University to study organizational communication, and his goal is to work at a college or university in student affairs. He sees academic opportunities abroad as having a positive impact on his future career.
"In my future career, I need to be able to understand multiple, diverse perspectives so that I can communicate with students from all backgrounds and help them succeed," he said. "This opportunity in Scotland with the Fulbright Summer Institute is one way that I can achieve this."