CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is No. 7 on the Peace Corps list of all-time highest volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the large school category, the agency announced mid-April in its 2024 rankings.
“We’re extremely proud to be recognized by the Peace Corps,” said Chancellor Robert Jones. “We often talk about preparing our students to lead lives and careers of impact after they leave Illinois. It is hard to think of a more direct example of what that looks like than service in the Peace Corps.”
Illinois has placed 1,674 volunteers since the Peace Corps was established in 1961. Nine U. of I. alumni currently volunteer for the Peace Corps in Cambodia, Guyana, Morocco, Namibia, Paraguay, Peru and Tanzania. Over 240,000 volunteers from more than 3,000 colleges and universities have served in 144 countries over six decades. Volunteers work in six program areas: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth development and community economic development.
Charles Fogelman, a professor of global studies, served in the Peace Corps education sector in Lesotho from 2003-2005, shortly after graduating from college.
“It was a fabulous personal growth experience and one that set the trajectory for my career,” Fogelman said. “More than two decades later I am a researcher of Lesotho and have lived there for multiple research trips with my family. Some of the closest relationships I have built in my life date to my time as a Peace Corps volunteer.”
Matt Coughlin, the campus Peace Corps recruiter, thinks that Illinois students are poised to be good volunteers.
“I am humbled by the diverse group of students with big hearts willing to apply what they’ve learned during their bachelor’s degrees abroad in challenging conditions,” Coughlin said. “There is a commitment to serving others instilled in U. of. I. students.”
The Career Center at Illinois hosts Peace Corps drop-in advising where students can meet with a returned Peace Corps volunteer representative who will share their experience and information about volunteering. Students can learn about the logistics, benefits, unique challenges and rewards of joining the agency after graduation.
Editor’s note: To reach the campus Peace Corps recruiter, email peacecorps@illinois.edu.
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