FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 25, 2000

Top Producers of Latino Peace Corps Volunteers Announce New Graduate Study Opportunities

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 25, 2000—Three universities that have produced high numbers of Latino Peace Corps volunteers over the last decade announced new opportunities for overseas service learning this month. The University of California Davis, Humboldt State University and the University of Washington have established partnerships with the Peace Corps to offer Master\'s International Programs. The programs allow students to earn academic credit for overseas volunteer assignments after completing a designated number of graduate credit hours on campus.
The University of Washington in Seattle yesterday launched a Master\'s International Program in nongovernmental organization development. Earlier this month, the University of California Davis pioneered the only Peace Corps Master\'s International Program in preventive veterinary medicine. And Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif., announced a Master\'s International Program in Teaching English as a Second Language.
"These three institutions merit recognition for encouraging Hispanic American students to reap the many professional and personal benefits of the Peace Corps volunteer experience," said Peace Corps Deputy Director Charles R. Baquet III. "They are also to be applauded for preparing students for the global economy with this unique service learning program."
The University of California Davis ranks eighth on the list of colleges which have produced the most Hispanic volunteers in the past decade, tying with Colorado State University and the San Diego and Santa Cruz campuses of the University of California. Humboldt State University falls 12th, tying with California State Polytechnic University Pomona, Stanford University and Florida State University. The University of Washington ranks 13th tying with California State University, Long Beach.
"The recruitment of more volunteers of color is an agency-wide priority for the Peace Corps. We want Americans of every heritage to show the world the true face of America and reap the benefits of service," said Baquet.
There are 396 students currently enrolled in 52 Master\'s International Programs at 45 universities. Today more than 7,300 Peace Corps volunteers serve in 76 countries around the world, the highest number of volunteers since 1974. Since 1961, more than 161,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps.

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