FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program Partners with Willamette Universitys Atkinson Graduate School of Management

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 2010 The Peace Corps welcomes Willamette University to its Fellows/USA program. Peace Corps Fellows will have the opportunity to earn a masters of business administration (MBA) in business, government, and not-for-profit management at the universitys Atkinson Graduate School of Management.

Willamette University is an outstanding new member of the Fellows/USA family, said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. Many of our returned Peace Corps volunteers seek to apply the experiences they have learned abroad to business settings in the United States, and the Atkinson MBA program will allow Peace Corps Fellows to expand their professional skill-sets.

Peace Corps Fellows in the full-time MBA program at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management will receive a minimum of $5,000 in scholarship assistance and are eligible for merit-based awards that may cover the full tuition. The Fellows will also participate in Willamettes PACE (Practical Applications for Careers and Enterprises) program that partners student teams with local public and nonprofit entities.

"The Willamette University MBA program is delighted to partner with Peace Corps Fellows/USA," said Debra Ringold, Dean and JELD-WEN Professor of Free Enterprise at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. "We look forward to working with Peace Corps Fellows as they immerse themselves in the Willamette MBA program, explore their career interests, and collaborate with fellow students on experiential projects."

The Fellows/USA program offers returned Peace Corps volunteers financial benefits such as scholarships, reduced tuition and university credit in advanced degree programs at more than 50 participating colleges and universities. In addition to their academic studies, Fellows/USA participants apply the experiences they acquired as volunteers abroad to internships that benefit underserved American communities.

Peace Corps Fellows/USA program started in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. To help expand Fellows/USA into new geographical regions and courses of study, Peace Corps is encouraging all accredited American graduate schools to apply by October 1, 2010 to the Peace Corps Fellows/USA program. More details can be found at www.peacecorps.gov/fellows.

Willamette University adheres to a tradition of social responsibility which provides a strong complement to the Peace Corps legacy of service. Willamette has become one of the countrys top Peace Corps volunteer-producing schools, currently ranking 12th among small-sized colleges and universities.

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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