Hollins is one of 40 institutions selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant. The grant will enable up to 25 first-year Hollins students to obtain a U.S. passport and start their study-abroad journey.

The IIE American Passport Project is intended to promote diversity, inclusion, access, and equity in study abroad and to support the IIENetwork, IIE’s global membership network, in its efforts to encourage students to go abroad who would otherwise not participate in an international experience as part of their college education.

“This grant will enable traditionally underrepresented students at Hollins to take the first step in studying abroad—to acquire a passport,” said Ramona Kirsch, director of international programs at Hollins. “This will not only serve them well during their time at Hollins but also after they graduate and continue to explore the world and become globally engaged.”