Longwood University recently ranked No. 16 nationally among small-size colleges and universities on the Peace Corps’ 2020 list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities. There are 10 Lancers currently volunteering in countries around the world through the Peace Corps.
This year marks the first time that Longwood has been ranked on the agency’s list of colleges and universities that produce the most Peace Corps volunteers. Since the agency’s founding in 1961, about 90 Longwood alumni have served abroad in the Peace Corps.
Longwood helped to shape my beliefs and passion. I learned about different countries and cultures through my classes and from my knowledgeable professors. I knew I wanted to experience these countries in real life. I decided to apply to the Peace Corps and ultimately got involved with Peace Corps Morocco.
Kiana Graves ’17 Tweet This
“These schools are institutions that emphasize being global citizens and service-minded students,” said Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen. “The graduates coming from the Peace Corps’ top colleges are using their skills to make a positive impact on their communities at home and abroad.”
Kiana Graves ’17 served with the Peace Corps as a youth in development volunteer in Morocco. Graves, who majored in political science and had a concentration in global politics with a minor in international studies, is now a resettlement caseworker at the International Rescue Committee. While at Longwood she helped to create an organization that sought to bridge cultures and foster understanding on campus. She also studied abroad in Costa Rica for a semester and had an internship in Saudi Arabia as a student.
These schools are institutions that emphasize being global citizens and service-minded students. The graduates coming from the Peace Corps’ top colleges are using their skills to make a positive impact on their communities at home and abroad.
Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen Tweet This
“Longwood helped to shape my beliefs and passion. I learned about different countries and cultures through my classes and from my knowledgeable professors,” Graves said. “I knew I wanted to experience these countries in real life. I decided to apply to the Peace Corps and ultimately got involved with Peace Corps Morocco.”
The Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad on behalf of the United States to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in education, health, community economic development, agriculture, the environment and youth development. Peace Corp experience allows volunteers to gain a unique cultural understanding and lifelong commitment to service.
Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide. More than 8,315 Virginia residents have served in the Peace Corps since the agency’s founding.
The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body. View the complete 2020 rankings of the top 25 schools in each category here. (pdf)
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