Opening the World to Wildcats
Recent gifts are transforming study abroad programs at the U of A, putting the experience within reach for all Wildcats.
Eller College of Management undergrad Caitlin Faith Campos at the Hohenwerfen Castle in Werfen, Austria
Caitlin Faith Campos
“If you’ve ever studied abroad, whether you were a U of A student or went to another school, you know the importance and the value of traveling, of experiencing a different culture,” says Wildcat legend Steve Kerr ’88. “There’s no experience like traveling, especially as a college student, when you are old enough to really appreciate it but young enough to have some freedom and to see how the world is forming before your eyes.”
For students like astronomy and biology major Gisselle Ramirez, scholarships were what made study abroad possible. Growing up, she often heard that opportunities like international travel were out of reach for students from underrepresented communities. Her experience studying in Italy changed her perspective and belief: “There are people and communities willing to support students like me.”
Now, three significant gifts are ensuring more Wildcats can experience study abroad.
It began with a historic pledge from the Garcia Family Foundation, a $20 million commitment — the largest of its kind for the university’s study abroad program — designed to remove barriers for students with financial need. Building on that generosity, an estate gift from the late Susan K. Von Kersburg ’62 ’72 and a new commitment from Kerr and his wife, Margot ’88, have added another layer of impact to the university’s mission to ensure every student can gain a global perspective, regardless of their background or field of study.
The Garcia Family Foundation’s investment will reshape what is possible for thousands of Wildcats in the years ahead. The new Garcia Family Foundation Scholarship for Study Abroad supports the university’s goal of tripling participation by 2029, turning global learning into a defining feature of the Wildcat experience. From short-term, faculty-led trips to full-semester programs in more than 30 countries, students will now be able to pursue international study with fewer financial obstacles.
Soon after the Garcia announcement, the university received an $8 million gift from Von Kersburg’s estate. The gift from Von Kersburg, who believed deeply in educational opportunity, provides lasting support for in-state students in the W.A. Franke Honors College, ensuring that Baird Scholars can study abroad without financial constraints. (Read more about Baird Scholars on Page 44.) It includes a $1 million endowment dedicated to funding global experiences for these exceptional students.
Inspired by meeting Baird Scholars at a university event, Von Kersburg sought to create pathways for them to broaden their worldviews and deepen their education.
The momentum continued with a $1 million commitment from the Kerrs, supporting study abroad scholarships for students in the College of Humanities. For Steve Kerr, who spent much of his childhood abroad, the impact of international education is personal and profound.
Their gift, establishing the Kerr Family Endowment for Humanities Abroad, will support students in faculty-led programs across the globe, helping them build language skills, cultural understanding and lifelong perspectives.
The trio of gifts represent more than financial support; together, they reflect a shared belief that global experiences strengthen students academically, personally and professionally.
As John-Paul Roczniak, president and CEO of the University of Arizona Foundation, notes, these gifts signal to students that they no longer have to choose between affordability and opportunity: “You can have both.”
