U of A gets $20M gift to expand study-abroad access

This is the largest donation to the university’s study-abroad program and will help make study abroad a “defining feature” of the university’s student experience, said a UA news release Monday. The first cohort of students eligible to receive the scholarship will be in spring 2026, and the scholarship will further the university’s goal of tripling study abroad participation by 2029.

Giselle Ramirez, an astronomy and biology major from Tucson, said scholarships like these are the way to gaining access to global study opportunities. She credited her study-abroad time in Italy “with building her confidence, teaching adaptability and giving her a global perspective she could not have gained at home,” said the UA’s news release.

“Being from an underrepresented community, you often hear that things like study abroad are out of reach,” Ramirez said. “Getting those scholarships reminded me that I can do anything I set my mind to, and that there are people and communities willing to support students like me.”

The Garcia Family Foundation Scholarship, established by Arizona philanthropist and businessman Ernest Garcia II and his wife, Joanne, will be used to reduce financial barriers that have “historically prevented many students from pursuing global learning opportunities,” the UA said.

The UA said it is also improving its student advising and clarifying course equivalencies, so students can seamlessly fit in their study abroad aspirations into their degrees.

“We are very excited to provide more opportunities for academic and personal growth to underserved Arizona students. Study abroad expands perspectives and horizons, and reflects our strong belief in the unlimited potential of these students to make a difference,” said Garcia Family Foundation President Jon Ehlinger.

The gift is also a contribution to the UA’s $3 billion fundraising campaign, which supports student success, faculty research and campus initiatives.

UA Provost Patricia Prelock said study abroad is one of the ways institutions can prepare students for success in a global society.

“It blends coursework with cultural immersion and fosters an appreciation for unique societal perspectives,” she said. “Thanks to the Garcia Family Foundation, these life-changing opportunities will now be a foundational part of the U of A student experience.”

John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation, said in the release that with this gift, the foundation can tell the community that the UA is a place where students don’t have to choose between affordability and global opportunity — they can have both.

Students can visit UA’s study-abroad website to get more information about programs and scholarships.