Washington, D.C., January 22, 1999—Steve Nagler, Peace Corps country director in Samoa, has been named to the newly created position of Pacific Initiatives Director, Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan announced today. "Steve\'s new position reflects the Peace Corps\' commitment to the Pacific Islands region, where about 350 Peace Corps volunteers are currently serving," Gearan said. "We look forward to expanding the relationship between the Peace Corps, the Pacific island nations, and a number of regional, national, and international development organizations." Nagler will coordinate partnerships between the Peace Corps and government and non-profit organizations to enhance environmental awareness, expand access to education, strengthen non-profit and traditional organizations, foster volunteerism, prepare youth for their roles in society, improve health care, and assist with disaster relief. Nagler, 51, of Clinton, Conn., will continue to work as country director of Samoa for the time being. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Western Samoa, where he served as an adviser for news and documentary programming at the government radio station. Prior to his appointment as country director in Samoa in January 1995, Nagler was assistant professor and clinical director of family support services at the Child Study Center at Yale University. He worked as a consultant for the Yale Psychiatric Institute\'s Bosnian Refugee Resettlement Program, and was clinical consultant and director of training of the Yale Child Development/Community Policing Program. He received his bachelor\'s degree from Amherst College, and his master\'s degree from Smith College\'s School for Social Work. He is a certified social worker. He and his wife have two daughters. Currently, nearly 6,700 Peace Corps volunteers are working in 80 countries in education, the environment, health and nutrition, business advising, and community development. Since 1961, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.