FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Peace Corps Announces New Partnerships with Eight Higher Education Organizations

WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 28, 2010 The Peace Corps today announced new partnerships with eight higher education organizations to help recruit the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers and highlight the career and volunteer opportunities that are available through Peace Corps.

The participating academic partners include: The American Indian Higher Education Consortium, The Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund, The Council of 1890 Universities, The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Phelps Stokes, The Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF.

I know firsthand that serving as a Peace Corps volunteer is a life-defining leadership experience, said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams (Dominican Republic, 1967-1970). A key to our strength, is the fact that our volunteers overseas reflect the extraordinary diversity of America—Peace Corps is honored to work with these respected higher education organizations to increase public service opportunities abroad for more Americans.

Under the partnerships, Peace Corps will participate in partner conferences and meetings, and work with each organization to create new ways to share electronic resources and education materials.

This partnership coalition follows Peace Corps recent partnerships with five AmeriCorps organizations that encourage service-minded AmeriCorps alumni to consider applying their experience in local communities overseas with Peace Corps. For more information on the new partnerships, click here.

As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 77 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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