Ranks No. 7 nationally among medium-sized schools

The University of Vermont is ranked No. 7 among medium-sized schools in the Peace Corps’ 2015 rankings of the top volunteer-producing colleges and universities across the country. The ranking recognizes the highest volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the U.S. for small, medium, large and graduate institutions. UVM has ranked among the top 10 in the medium school category in each of the last four years.  

UVM currently has 25 alumni serving in Botswana, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. They work in sectors including agriculture, education, environment, health and youth development.

“The Peace Corps provides an indispensable opportunity for young people out of college to put their unique skills to work making a difference for communities around the world,” Peace Corps director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “Volunteers make lasting change by living and working at the grassroots level in their communities of service and using their talents to tackle some of the most critical challenges in international development.”

“Our high ranking on the list of top Peace Corps colleges confirms what we know about UVM students; they are active, service minded, and dedicated to making the world a better place," said Tom Sullivan, UVM president. "I’m proud both of their accomplishments and to again be so highly placed on this important list." 

Vermont is the top Peace Corps volunteer-producing state in the nation on a per capita basis. Forty-nine residents of the Green Mountain State are currently serving in the Peace Corps. In 2014, the Burlington-South Burlington metro area also ranked No. 3 nationally for per-capita production of Peace Corps volunteers, with 15 area residents serving overseas.

This year’s rankings follow historic reforms to Peace Corps’ application and selection process, led by Hessler-Radelet, that resulted in a 22-year application high for the agency in 2014. Applicants will now find a simplified, more personal application process, and can learn more by contacting the Northeast regional recruitment office at nyinfo@peacecorps.gov.

PUBLISHED

02-17-2015
University Communications