The Coverdell Fellows program at Michigan Tech is a great way to reenter the United States. Houghton is rural and remote, surrounded by forests and Lake Superior.  Michigan Tech has an active Peace Corps community.  Our Fellows program utilizes internships with VISTA through Conservation Legacy which has an active program working in underserved communities.  Graduate classes are small and focused. The program is typically one year on campus, one year of an internship and one more academic semester to complete the research.

1/3 tuition reduction based on RPCV status, 3 no-cost credits during VISTA service, $6195 Segal Education Award based upon one year of VISTA service.

Other research and teaching assistantships and general graduate awards are available on a competitive basis.

The year-long VISTA internships are conducted in coordination with Conservation Legacy.  Fellows often work in communities that have been economically or environmentally damaged by prior mining activities. The communities have needs from stream and watershed restoration to historic preservation to economic development to broader community development programs. Returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) will enhance the program by bringing their experience with community development to the program.  It is a natural fit for RPCVs who want to continue to work in rural development and improve their skill set by obtaining a graduate education in the appropriate field of study.

For more information please contact Dr. Blair Orr at [email protected].

Applicants must be Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and provide their signed Description of Service (DOS), GRE, transcripts from their undergraduate institution(s), letters of recommendation, letter of intent, and application (available on line). We recommend consulting with a faculty member prior to application. Details are on our website.

A National Service Graduate Fellowship is also available to RPCVs.