Laura Gilson ’12, a candidate for May graduation, has been awarded a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship to Indonesia. A Dean’s List student, she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in February. Gilson is an English literature major and art history minor at 51ÁÔÆæ.
Gilson studied abroad in New Zealand in 2011. She has been active in 51ÁÔÆæ’s Student Assembly, serving as Class of 2012 treasurer and representative, founder and chair of the Philanthropy Committee, and Class of 2012 Honor Court Representative. Gilson was a community service volunteer with Drop Everything and Read in Utica; tutored Utica elementary school students in reading, writing and math; and worked as an educator/mentor with refugee students in Utica through the Bonner Leaders program. She also volunteered with Alternative Spring Break in 2009 and 2010.
After her return from Indonesia, Gilson plans to attend law school.
The Fulbright ETA Program, an element of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, places U.S. students as English teaching assistants in schools or universities overseas, thus improving foreign students’ English language abilities and knowledge of the United States while increasing their own language skills and knowledge of the host country. ETAs may also pursue individual study/research plans in addition to their teaching responsibilities.
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright program is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide.
Gilson is the daughter of Wendy Pollock-Gilson and Robert Gilson of Sparta, N.J.
Laura Gilson is a graduate of Sparta High School.
