School, tied at No. 3, has been highly ranked since tracking began
TACOMA, Wash. – University of Puget Sound tied for the No. 3 spots among small schools in the Peace Corps’ 2015 rankings of the top volunteer-producing colleges and universities across the country.
The Pacific Northwest national liberal arts college, which draws students from almost every state in the country, has established itself as one of the top Peace Corp schools in its category and has been highly ranked for more than a dozen years. Currently, 16 Logger alumni are volunteering worldwide.
“The Peace Corps provides an indispensable opportunity for young people out of college to gain work experience, learn a foreign language, and develop intercultural skills,” said Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “International service helps volunteers refine qualities that can be difficult to measure, but are critical to long-term success—all while impacting the lives of people around the world.”
Since the Peace Corps was first established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, 294 alumni from the University of Puget Sound have traveled abroad to serve as two-year volunteers.
“Every year, the Peace Corps unveils the upper echelon of colleges and universities that have distinguished themselves at the top of its volunteer-producing schools,” said Peace Corps West Coast Regional Manager Erin Carlson. “We take enormous pride in recognizing the University of Puget Sound as one of the 23 universities from the West Coast producing dedicated individuals who personify the Peace Corps mission of promoting world peace and friendship.”
This year’s rankings follow historic reforms to the Peace Corps’ application and selection process, under the direction of Hessler-Radelet. This resulted in a 22-year application high for the agency in 2014. Applicants now have a simplified, more personal application process. The “small colleges” ranking that includes Puget Sound covers school with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates.
Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining, hands-on leadership experience that offers individuals the opportunity to travel to the farthest corners of the world and make a lasting difference in others' lives. Peace Corps volunteers live and work at the community level and promote a better understanding between Americans and the people they serve. The volunteers help develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, the environment, and youth development.
For the full list of the Peace Corps 2015 rankings of the top 25 schools in each undergraduate category, visit http://files.peacecorps.gov/pr/assets/topcolleges2015/15_PRS_TopColleges_list_Final_02.13.2015.pdf.
Learn more about volunteering for the Peace Corps by contacting Career and Employment Services: pugetsound.edu/ces
For more information on the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov.
Photos on page: Top right: Wall painting in Cameroon with a Peace Corps volunteer, by Amcaja: Above left: Tee-ball game in Honduras with a Peace Corps volunteer (public domain photo).
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