FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Peace Corps Partners with Six New Colleges and Universities to Prepare Students for International Service

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 4, 2014 – The Peace Corps today announced new partnerships with six universities and colleges accepted into the Peace Corps Prep Program. The collaboration offers students a unique combination of undergraduate coursework and community service that prepares them for work in international development.

Students at Arcadia University; Georgia Gwinnett College; Hiram College; University of Washington, Tacoma; Ursinus College; and Wilmington College can apply to their school’s new Peace Corps Prep Program for enrollment beginning fall 2014.

“We are thrilled to partner with each of these schools to expand the Peace Corps Prep Program,” Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “This program is a wonderful example of our growing efforts to foster stronger collaboration with colleges and universities nationwide to prepare civic-minded students for international service.”

Each school independently designs its program based on specified criteria that reflects Peace Corps’ grassroots, integrated approach. A typical Peace Corps Prep Program consists of two years of coursework with a focus on international development, internship or volunteer experience related to Peace Corps’ project areas, and foreign language study.

The Peace Corps’ new partners join a number of other institutions across the country with Peace Corps Prep Programs, including: Elon University, Knox College, Pittsburg State University, Shawnee State University, University of Missouri, University of Montana, University of North Georgia and Wittenberg University. Schools are selected for the program based on their demonstrated interest in promoting international learning and service opportunities to their students.

The Peace Corps Prep Program was established in 2007 to offer more targeted educational and skill-building opportunities to undergraduate students interested in serving with the Peace Corps or within the international development and service communities. Students who successfully complete the program gain knowledge and experience that make them more competitive Peace Corps applicants. All Peace Corps Prep graduates receive a signed certificate of completion from the Peace Corps.

Schools interested in participating in the Peace Corps Prep Program can email [email protected] for more information.

About the Peace Corps: As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Peace Corps volunteers work at the grassroots level with local governments, schools, communities, small businesses and entrepreneurs to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. When they return home, volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences – and a global outlook – back to the United States that enriches the lives of those around them. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to foster a better understanding among Americans and people of other countries. Since then, more than 215,000 Americans of all ages have served in 139 countries worldwide. Visit www.peacecorps.gov to learn more.

# # #

---