Presidential Global Scholars
Gain a global perspective through collective commitment
The Presidential Global Scholars program (PGS) is a collaborative living-learning and research community in which ambitious Honors students work together, with award-winning faculty, and with the resources and opportunities in Europe and beyond to better understand the world and what they might accomplish in it. The purpose of PGS is to help students gain the transdisciplinary, transnational, and transcultural experiences and skills they will need to collectively address 21st century global challenges.
PGS Program Information
PGS courses are hands-on learning experiences led by some of Virginia Tech's most distinguished professors. All courses count toward students’ Pathways general education requirements and/or their Honors Laureate Diploma requirements and/or their Honors Minor in Collaborative Discovery.
PGS will count differently towards your Honors Laureate Diploma based on when you first entered the Honors College. Select the option below that corresponds to your first semester in Honors.
PGS provides immersive cultural experiences made possible by a full semester abroad. Students live in the elegant Villa Maderni at Virginia Tech's Steger Center for International Scholarship amid the beauty of the Swiss Alps.
Program travel includes extended trips to Naples, Italy, and Valposchiavo, Switzerland. In addition, PGS builds in significant time for recreational travel as well. PGS students take advantage of inexpensive airfares from Malpensa Airport in Milan to travel broadly across Europe, including past student visits to Morocco, Malta, Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, the Czech Republic, and other locations.
- VT Spring 2026 Tuition and Fees: Same as the student pays to attend VT in Blacksburg.
- Steger Center room and board: To be determined (2025 cost = $7,700).
- Presidential Global Scholars Program fee: To be determined (2025 cost = $3,800).
- Round-trip airfare and train tickets: Approximately $1,300.
Please note: Students will need additional spending money. Previous students recommend a minimum of $5000. Many scholarships and forms of financial aid are available to help defer some of the program costs, including some specific to Virginia Tech like the Global Education Scholarship, Steger Center International Scholarship, and the Steger Center Room Fund.
Check with the Global Education Office and University Scholarships and Financial Aid for more information.
How to Apply
To apply, visit the PGS program brochure and click the "Apply Now" link immediately below the photograph to begin the process.
Eligibility
PGS is available to Virginia Tech Honors College and honors-eligible students from all majors (3.4 or higher cumulative GPA). Contact Dr. Heilker for possible exceptions.
Questions?
If you have any specific questions regarding PGS, please contact Dr. Heilker: