Peace Corps has ranked New Mexico State University as one of the top volunteer-producing Hispanic-serving institutions in the country. NMSU made the list for the first time in 2016 and ranked tied for 13th with seven alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps.
Since its creation in 1961, 270 NMSU alumni have traveled abroad to serve as Peace Corps volunteers.
“It is extremely exciting for NMSU, for the first time, to have ranked high among Hispanic-serving institutions that are developing Peace Corps volunteers,” said Sue Forster-Cox, public health sciences associate professor, adviser for the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Student Organization and coordinator of the Fellows and Master’s Internationals Programs for the College of Health and Social Services. “This ranking indicates that many NMSU students are eager for the life-changing opportunity, afforded by Peace Corps service, to live in different parts of our world, and work with communities in various settings, such as agriculture, education and health. These alums are using many of the skill sets they learned at NMSU, to assist individuals in their host countries, and to strengthen their own communities.”
Since President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps more than 220,000 Americans have served in 141 countries.
According to Peace Corps, “volunteers work with their community members at the grassroots level to develop sustainable solutions to challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their service, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today’s global economy.”
Last year, the Peace Corps received a 40-year high in applications. For more information on the Peace Corps, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov.
Information from NMSU