Contact:
Emily Webb, Public Affairs Specialist
Peace Corps East Region Office
ewebb@peacecorps.gov
212.352.5455
ATLANTA – Today, the Peace Corps announced its 2017 rankings of the top volunteer-producing Historically Black Colleges and Universities and two Atlanta area schools were included on the annual list.
This year, Spelman College ranks No. 2 with 11 alumni volunteering in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, Mozambique, Namibia, Peru, Rwanda, Togo, Zambia and Guinea. In addition, Morehouse College appears on the list at No. 5 with three alumni serving in Malawi, Mozambique and Namibia. Morehouse and Spelman both place among the top five HBCUs in the nation for the third and sixth consecutive times, respectively.
“Historically Black Colleges and Universities cultivate a commitment to community-oriented education that inspires their graduates to pursue international service and make an impact abroad with the Peace Corps,” Acting Peace Corps Director Sheila Crowley said. “Each year, a growing number of HBCU alumni join the Peace Corps with important experiences and perspectives that give communities overseas a better understanding of the diversity of the United States.”
Spelman College also appeared on Peace Corps’ national list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities this year, ranking No. 7 among small undergraduate schools. The Atlanta area ranks No. 9 among Peace Corps’ top volunteer-producing metropolitan areas with 140 residents currently serving worldwide.
Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining, hands-on leadership experience that offers volunteers the opportunity to travel to a community overseas and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. College graduates with Peace Corps volunteer experience gain cross-cultural, language and community development skills that build upon their education and give them a competitive edge for career and advanced education opportunities.
The Peace Corps has recruiters across the country that visit HBCUs and work closely with prospective volunteers. By hiring dedicated diversity recruiters and hosting diversity-focused recruitment events, the agency aims to build an inclusive volunteer force and ensure that all Americans know about service opportunities with the Peace Corps.
A simple and personal Peace Corps application process can be completed online in about one hour. Applicants can learn more about service opportunities by visiting the Peace Corps website and connecting with a recruiter.
Peace Corps’ 2017 top volunteer-producing Historically Black Colleges and Universities are:
- Howard University: 18 currently serving volunteers
- Spelman College: 11 currently serving volunteers
- Florida A&M University: seven currently serving volunteers
- Hampton University: four currently serving volunteers
- Central State University: three currently serving volunteers
- Morehouse College: three currently serving volunteers
- Prairie View A&M University: three currently serving volunteers
* Rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2016 data as of September 30, 2016, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.
About the Peace Corps: 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, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their Peace Corps experience, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today’s global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 225,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
