UF alumni continue to fill ranks for Peace Corps

February 12, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida ranks second among large colleges and universities for the number of its alumni — 85 — now serving in the Peace Corps for 2014.

“The same passion that launched the Peace Corps more than 50 years ago fuels progress in developing countries today thanks to the leadership and creativity that college graduates bring to their Peace Corps service,” Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “The unique Peace Corps experience helps recent graduates cultivate highly sought-after skills that will launch their careers in today’s global economy.”

Recent UF graduate Charles Kramer is serving in a village in rural Panama that is reachable only by boat. He is working with indigenous farmers to plant coffee, and has also worked on water filtration projects and helped community members secure a U.S. Agency for International Development grant to build a basketball court for youth in the middle of the jungle.

In 2013, UF tied for the No. 1 spot in the nation for undergraduate volunteers in its category, and for the second consecutive year, produced more graduate alumni volunteers than any other graduate school. Through the Peace Corps Master’s International program, the agency partners with the school’s College of Agricultural & Life Sciences to offer students a unique opportunity to integrate a master’s degree with overseas service. Gainesville is also home to a large community of returned Peace Corps volunteers.

Since the first days of the Peace Corps, 1,268 UF alumni have traveled abroad to serve as volunteers.

The Peace Corps has eight regional recruitment offices across the United States. UF alumnus Chad Chernet is the regional recruiter assigned to UF. He can be reached at cchernet@peacecorps.gov or 407-450-8840.

Below are the top five colleges and universities in UF’s category for undergraduates and the number of alumni serving as Peace Corps volunteers:

1. University of Wisconsin-Madison 90

2. University of Washington 85

2. University of Florida 85

4. The Ohio State University 83

5. University of Michigan 81

Find the complete 2014 rankings of the top 25 schools in all categories here.