April 24, 2025
Each year, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), granted by the U.S. Department of the State, allows students from across the country to spend up to 10 weeks abroad, where they study one of 12 critical languages. This year, two of those students will be University of Missouri Tigers.
Junior Rachel Mueller and alumnus Colton Sharp were selected for the award and both will study Korean. Mizzou also had six alternates, including an alternate for the CLS Spark, a virtual version of the program.
“I’m thrilled for our awardees because the CLS and CLS Spark Programs present excellent opportunities for them to broaden their language skills outside the classroom,” Lauren Pike, fellowships coordinator for Mizzou’s Office of Global and National Fellowships, said. “Each of our awardees and alternates worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and we’re proud of their efforts.”
As part of a wider government initiative aimed at expanding the number of Americans learning foreign languages, the program plays a key role in preparing students for the 21st century’s globalized and increasingly competitive workforce.
This year’s Critical Language Scholarship awardees include:
Rachel Mueller
- Junior anthropology and international studies (east Asian studies) double major in the College of Arts and Science; pursuing the Honors Certificate
- Language: Korean
“Opportunities like CLS are imperative to encouraging hands-on learning,” Mueller said. “It removes financial barriers and provides a supportive environment to learn and practice one’s target language. CLS is also an excellent avenue to practice citizen diplomacy and engage in cross-cultural exchange, paramount to being engaged in the language you’re learning.”
Colton Sharp
- Earned an information technology degree from the College of Engineering in 2024
- Language: Korean
“This isn’t my first time applying for CLS, so for years I’ve been dreaming of traveling to Korea to improve my language skills and seeing my friends that I have met throughout my time at Mizzou,” Sharp said. “I could never afford a ticket to Korea, but with the CLS Program, I saw a chance to explore and learn about another culture while sharing my own. Now, being a finalist, my dreams are coming true.”
This year’s Critical Language Scholarship alternates include:
- Derek Dannaldson, junior electrical engineering major
- Matthew Kim, freshman biological sciences major; pursuing the Honors Certificate
- Fisher Moore (CLS Spark), junior ancient mediterranean studies, linguistics and romance languages (Spanish) triple major; pursuing the Honors Certificate
- Porter Schoen, sophomore journalism major; pursuing the Honors Certificate
- Anna Stevens, freshman mathematics major
