Scholarships & Fellowships
The World Deaf Leadership Scholarship one of two scholarship programs that The Nippon Foundation has established at Gallaudet University. This program is for deaf exchange students from developing countries who have met the entrance requirements of Gallaudet University, but who do not possess the financial means to attend. It provides full tuition support. Graduates who have received this scholarship are expected to return to their home countries, to aid in the development of the deaf community there.
In order to facilitate contact and at the same time protect the privacy of the people on this list, we ask that those who wish to contact them use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page to send us your name, email address and a brief message. We will make sure that the scholar receives your message. However, we leave any response up to the individual.
2005
 | Rian Anthony Gayle |
| Personal Profile | Rian Anthony Gayle was selected as the World Deaf Leadership (WDL) Scholarship recipient for AY 2004 - 2005. He is a deaf young man from Jamaica who is an ardent advocate of deaf and hard of hearing Jamaicans. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica and became deaf at age 3. Before attending Gallaudet University, he received his high school diploma in Jamaica and graduated magna cum laude from Mount Aloysius College in Pennsylvania, USA, where he earned his associate of arts degree. Rian is now a business administration student. When he obtains bachelor's degree, he will return to his country with his new skills to make a difference in the deaf community. He knows he cannot do this alone so he has solicited help from his two mentors, the chair of Gallaudet's business department, Dr. Isaac Agboola, and Dr. Howard Francis, also a native of Kingston, Jamaica, and a neurologist and member of John Hopkins Listening Center. Together, they will implement ways to improve the availability of services for deaf and hard of hearing individuals in Jamaica. |
2004
 | Kaneng Kwandi |
| Personal Profile | Kaneng Kwandi, 2004 WDL recipient, is earning her bachelor's degree in deaf education and hopes to earn a master's degree in elementary education. In the meantime, she and her mentor and a fellow Nigerian, Dr. Simon Guteng, met with the governor of Plateau State, Nigeria. Kaneng presented her ideas to Governor Dariye about opening a job development, information, and advocacy center for deaf and hard of hearing people in Nigeria. The governor mentioned Kaneng's project in one of his State Addresses. With the help of her mentor, Kaneng has had the opportunity to network with other government officials who may be able to support the new center implementation. |
2003
 | Nickson Kakiri |
| Personal Profile | Nickson Kakiri, 2003 WDL recipient, was born in Kenya and arrived to Gallaudet University where he earned his bachelor's degree in government with international focus in May 2005. He is currently enrolled in a post-bachelor's certificate program in international studies. Nickson's goal is to earn a master's degree in international development and return to his country to implement the findings of his research on how to offer assistance and services needed and desired by the Deaf Kenyans. |