University of Georgia among Peace Corps’ 2020 Top Ten Peace Corps Prep Certificate-Issuing Institutions

 

Sept. 30, 2020

 
WASHINGTON – The Peace Corps announced today the University of Georgia ranked No. 10 among Peace Corps Prep schools on the agency’s list of top certificate-issuing institutions in 2020. University of Georgia issued 18 Prep certificates to the graduating class of 2020. There were 113 enrolled in the Peace Corps Prep program at University of Georgia during the 2019-20 academic year.  
 
Peace Corps Prep is a certificate program, which teaches students sector-specific skills, foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence and leadership. While having a Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the Peace Corps, enrolling in the program will help students be more competitive. 
 
There are more than 140 Peace Corps Prep partner institutions across the country. Established in 2007, the program aims to meet the demand for Peace Corps Volunteers with broad and relevant areas of expertise and to support schools’ efforts to provide substantive, globally focused experiences for their students. 
 
“Partner institutions that provide Peace Corps Prep programs are an invaluable asset because they help potential Volunteers attain education and training that makes them more competitive candidates,” said Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen. “Prep-certified Volunteers often arrive in their communities possessing valuable leadership skills and intercultural savvy—necessary building blocks to achieving lasting impact. We applaud partners for their dynamic role in our Volunteers’ success.”
 
The program centers on empowering students to prepare themselves to be the best Peace Corps Volunteer they can be. The program is an opportunity for colleges and universities to globalize their campuses through a partnership with the Peace Corps. This diversity-focused program enhances students’ undergraduate experience by preparing them for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service.
 
“Peace Corps Prep is a wonderful opportunity for all undergraduate students to develop competencies that will fortify their aspirations to serve abroad,” said La’Teashia Sykes, Peace Corps director of University Programs. “Congratulations to the top ten Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing schools, and a special thanks to all of our partnering institutions for cultivating students’ interest in Peace Corps service.”
 
Established in 2015, the University of Georgia Peace Corps Prep program accepts all UGA students in good academic standing, regardless of their major, minor, department, or academic year. For Peace Corps Prep, students need to complete at least three courses that align with a specific work sector. Students also must accumulate a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or work experience in that same sector, preferably in a teaching or outreach capacity. 
 
“The University of Georgia is honored to be recognized among the Peace Corps top 10 Prep certificate-issuing institutions. We value our partnership with the Peace Corps and consider the Peace Corps Prep Certificate program one of UGA’s very best experiences to prepare students for contributing positively to global society,” said Yana Cornish, director of global education at University of Georgia.
 
The top ten 2019-20 Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing institutions are:
   
Interested students can find additional information about the Peace Corps Prep program at University of Georgia by contacting Office of Global Engagement at studyaway@uga.edu or 706.542.2900.

 

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, community 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 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide. For more information, visit peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.