Peace Corps Announces
New Peace Corps Prep Program at University of Maryland – College Park
Sept. 30, 2021
WASHINGTON – The Peace Corps today announced the launch of Peace Corps Prep, an undergraduate certificate program, at the University of Maryland. The program will combine targeted coursework with hands-on experience, building the competencies needed for students to be Peace Corps volunteers or other intercultural fieldworkers. The partnership with the University of Maryland is one of eleven new university partnerships.
“Today’s students understand the immense challenges of our era and are energetic advocates for change,” Peace Corps Acting Director Carol Spahn said. “Through the Peace Corps Prep program at University of Maryland, students can develop the transferable skills necessary to influence change, advance global equity, and be an effective Peace Corps volunteer.”
Peace Corps Prep will be structured as an interdisciplinary certificate program housed in the UMD School of Public Health. It will be administered by the school’s Global Health Initiative and the Department of Behavioral and Community Health.
“Peace Corps Prep is an opportunity for 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 University of Maryland on joining the Peace Corps family. We are thrilled to work together to spark students’ interest in Peace Corps service.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the Peace Corps,” said Dr. Tracy Zeeger, Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the SPH’s Department of Behavioral and Community Health. “Through this program, our diverse UMD students can explore opportunities and prepare to make a difference in addressing the world’s grand challenges through the Peace Corps.”
“As we grow and expand our Global Health Initiative, this program will be an important part of providing our students with the tools they need to not only be successful in the Peace Corps, but to enter the global health workforce as culturally competent leaders,” said Dr. Dina Borzekowski, Research Professor and Director of the Global Health Initiative.
"Peace Corps Prep will play a significant role in our ongoing efforts to provide global learning to all students at the University of Maryland,” said Dr. Ross Lewin, Associate Vice President for International Affairs, Office of International Affairs. “Its mission to prepare students to address global inequities and challenges imperiling our world perfectly aligns with the values and priorities of our institution."
Peace Corps works with more than 150 partner institutions nationwide to deliver programming that underscores a commitment to global citizenship, intercultural competencies and a sense of service among students. Despite the global evacuation of all Peace Corps volunteers in March 2020 due to COVID-19, more than 700 undergraduate students completed the Peace Corps Prep program in the 2020-2021 academic year.
Interested students can find additional information about the Peace Corps Prep program at the University of Maryland at https://sph.umd.edu/
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 lifelong 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.
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