With 32 graduates currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers, Michigan State University ranks No. 23 in this year’s Peace Corps’ list of top volunteer-producing large universities across the country.
MSU has earned a top spot on the list for the past 14 years. Since the agency was created in 1961, 2,338 MSU alums have served overseas, making MSU the No. 6 all-time producer of Peace Corps volunteers.
“MSU mentally prepared me for my service with its diverse campus and focus on international affairs and study,” said Erica Peery, MSU alum and Peace Corps volunteer said. “Peace Corps has shown me that I still have much to learn, but gratitude for this life and support for our neighbors is one of many paths to a better world.”
MSU offers Peace Corps international master’s degree programs in the areas of agricultural, food and resource economics, and community sustainability. The programs allow students to combine Peace Corps service with graduate studies for credit.
In addition, MSU hosts two on-campus recruiters. Jim Cave, who served in Mali, and Ana Kelly, who served in Namibia, can be reached at (517) 432-7474 and msupeace@msu.edu. Anyone interested in learning more can join the Facebook page, drop by during office hours (1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursday and 1-4 p.m. Wednesdays) or make an appointment to ask questions and discuss the application process.
“The Peace Corps provides an indispensable opportunity for young people out of college to put their unique skills to work making a difference for communities around the world,” said Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “Volunteers make lasting change by living and working at the grassroots level in their communities of service and using their talents to tackle some of the most critical challenges in international development.”
Michigan is among the top-producing states for Peace Corps with 223 state residents currently serving as volunteers. Overall, 7,107 Michigan residents have served since the agency was founded.
Graduating college students are encouraged to browse open programs and apply by April 1 for assignments departing fall 2015.