IU Peace Corps program makes top graduate school list

IU boasts a high number of students in new rankings of Peace Corps Master’s International and Coverdell Fellows graduate schools.

IU-Bloomington ranks 10th in the Peace Corps rankings with 13 returned Peace Corps volunteers. These volunteers have traveled around the world, going to Africa, South America and Eastern Europe, among other locations.

Students in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows graduate program who have returned from Peace Corps work abroad volunteer in nonprofit and public-sector positions while they strive toward their master’s degree. This work helps to benefit needy American
communities.

The program has been offered at IU through the School of Public and Environmental Affairs since 2005. It provides students with graduate degrees in environmental sciences and public affairs.

“We’re proud of this ranking and especially what it says about the quality of the education and the experience here for returned Peace Corps volunteers,” said Jennifer Forney, SPEA director of graduate student services, in a press release. “The School of Public and Environmental Affairs has a long tradition of welcoming RPCVs. Their global perspective, cultural empathy and devotion to service aligns and enriches all that we do. This ranking is motivation to continue and deepen that relationship.”

IU is the only school in the state that offers both programs to students.

The Coverdell Fellows program exists at about 70 U.S. universities and offers returned Peace Corps volunteers the chance to earn graduate degrees at a reduced cost in exchange for volunteer hours in American communities in need of service. About 4,000 volunteers nationwide have completed the program.

The Master’s International program allows students to earn a master’s degree while serving in the Peace Corps. Students first study in the United States, then serve two years overseas with the Corps and then return to school to finish their graduate schooling. About 1,000 volunteers have taken part in the program.

— Matthew Glowicki