IU ranked 21st in 2019 for alumni Peace Corps volunteers, the organization announced Wednesday. IU is the only Indiana school on the list.
IU came in 21st in 2017, and did not make the list in 2018. IU is ranked in the large colleges and universities category and currently has 38 alumni volunteering around the world. Ranked first among large schools is University of Wisconsin-Madison, with 75 volunteers.
Over 1,710 IU alumni have become volunteers since Peace Corps began in 1961. Other Peace Corps rankings include medium and small universities, graduate schools and historical bests since 1961.
Alumni have the option of working in 65 countries around the world. They can choose among six volunteering categories, which include education, health, youth development, agriculture, environment and economic development, IU Peace Corps recruiter Vicki Runion said.
Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen said she is proud of the universities and alumni involved.
“They bring critical skills to communities around the world and gain hands-on, life-changing experience along the way,” Olsen said in a press release.
Runion said the program has a 20 percent acceptance rate, and she thoroughly enjoys watching students get involved.
“My favorite aspect of this is helping them through the application process and getting to see them reach that goal,” Runion said.
