Peace Corps recognizes UMW as one of top producers of volunteers
2 min readBy NEPHTHALIE LAUTURE
The University of Mary Washington is once again ranked as one of the top small colleges to produce a large number of alumni that now serve as volunteers in the Peace Corps.
This is the 11th year UMW has been recognized for producing a notable number of Peace Corps volunteers.
Colleges are ranked annually by the Peace Corps based on size and student body. The list is divided into three sections: large colleges and universities, medium colleges and universities and small colleges and universities, where UMW can be found.
Upon hearing this news, Students expressed their sentiments on the Peace Corps and its relation to the University. Many students consider the Peace Corps post-graduation for the many benefits and opportunities the organization can offer.
“I know I am considering Peace Corps because they have a graduate program. UMW definitely has a lot of volunteer programs,” said sophomore economics major Kelly Mason.
The Peace Corps grants its volunteers with language, cross cultural and technical training, unique graduate opportunities and advantages in federal employment.
This year in particular, UMW was ranked 20th on the Peace Corps Top Colleges with nine alumni volunteers. UMW is the sixth highest producer of all time.
“It has crossed my mind, the Peace Corps, but I haven’t given it a lot of thought after that,” said sophomore math major Stephanie Loftus.
Other Virginia schools that are included in the list are the University of Virginia, William and Mary and Virginia Tech.
UMW has been included in the Peace Corps list of top producing schools since 2005.
In total, approximately 230 UMW Alumni have served in 27-month commitments all over the world since the Peace Corps was founded in 1961.
In order to effectively create world impact, the Peace Corps lists three main goals for success: To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
