UNI Expands Opportunities Across the Americas Through 2026 OAS Scholarship Partnership

Through this renewed partnership, students from OAS member states will have access to a wide range of scholarship opportunities at UNI, including unlimited scholarships for certificate programs, 10 scholarships for graduate programs, and 20 scholarships for the Culture & Intensive English Program (CIEP). These opportunities open doors for students seeking high‑quality academic programs, professional advancement, and pathways to graduate study in the United States.

To support this initiative, the Office of International Engagement (OIE) has been actively deepening partnerships across Latin America. In January and February, OIE Director Carolina Coronado‑Park traveled to Brazil and Peru to meet with government agencies, universities, and EducationUSA offices. These visits strengthened academic collaboration and broadened access to UNI programs, ensuring that students across the region are aware of the opportunities available through the OAS partnership.

According to Missy Leuthold, Assistant Director at UNI’s Office of International Admissions, the OAS partnership has had a transformative impact on both recruitment and accessibility.

“UNI’s involvement in the PAEC OAS UNI Scholarship Program has significantly broadened access and visibility for our institution to reach students across Latin America and the Caribbean,” she shared. “The partnership has expanded scholarship availability for the 2025 and 2026 recruitment cycles, helping reduce barriers for students and making UNI more competitive compared to other regional institutions.”

She noted that OAS scholarship recipients benefit from meaningful financial incentives including waived application fees, airport pickup, a one‑time OAS scholarship, and opportunities for graduate assistantships. These supports not only ease the transition to UNI but also help students thrive once they arrive.

Missy also emphasized the strategic importance of partnership during a time of global enrollment challenges. “As student interest, mobility, and visa appointment delays threaten international enrollment across the U.S., programs like the OAS partnership provide a critical stabilizing effect,” she explained. “They sustain interest and ensure continued accessibility for international students enrolling at UNI.”

Sherissa Cayetano is a graduate student from Belize whose experience reflects the transformative potential of the UNI–OAS partnership. Sherissa first learned about UNI through the OAS website.

“UNI caught my attention because it is a smaller university, which means greater access to professors and academic resources,” she said. “The OAS consistently offers opportunities to member states, and UNI stood out as a place where I could grow academically and personally.” With her one‑year graduate program moving quickly, Sherissa has been intentional about making the most of her time on campus. She has focused on building relationships with professors, seeking mentorship, and participating in cultural exchange events through the Office of International Engagement.

“These experiences have created space for meaningful dialogue,” she shared. “I’ve learned more about different countries and their people while sharing my own culture as well.”Academically, Sherissa says UNI has strengthened her foundation in accounting and pushed her to think more critically through complex material. Personally, adjusting to a new environment has helped her grow in independence and resilience. Professionally, exposure to faculty with real‑world experience has helped her clarify her long‑term goals.

Looking ahead, Sherissa plans to pursue a PhD in her field, a path she feels well‑prepared for thanks to her time at UNI. “The foundation, mentorship, and preparation I’ve received here have definitely opened the door for that next chapter,” she said.