University of Denver Ranks No. 1 on Peace Corps’ List of Top Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Programs
For the second consecutive year the University of Denver ranks No. 1 on Peace Corps' 2013 list of top Paul D. Coverdell Fellows programs. Currently, there are 56 DU returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCVs) enrolled as students. The University of Denver also took the No. 4 spot on the list of top Master's International (MI) programs. There are currently 25 MI students making a difference overseas through Peace Corps service.
"Every year, hundreds of Peace Corps volunteers make a difference by combining meaningful service with graduate studies through Peace Corps' Master's International and Coverdell Fellows programs," said Peace Corps Deputy Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. "After completing Peace Corps service, volunteers return to the United States as global citizens, with leadership, cross-cultural understanding, and language and technical skills that position them for success in today's global job market."
The Coverdell Fellows program provides RPCVs with scholarships, academic credit, and stipends to earn an advanced degree after they complete their Peace Corps service, and the Peace Corps Master's International program allows students to earn their graduate degree while serving in the Peace Corps. Since 2003, 186 RPCVs have participated in the DU Fellows program; and since 2000, 43 students have completed the Master's International program. The University of Denver is no stranger to the Peace Corps' top colleges list, they ranked No. 18 on the list of Top Volunteer Producing schools in the medium school category. Since 1961, 541 DU alumni have served in the Peace Corps.
The following are the top ten Paul D. Coverdell Fellows programs. The number in parenthesis represents the number of students enrolled in the program and serving overseas as of September 30, 2012.
1.University of Denver (56)
2.University of Arizona (52)
3.Teachers College, Columbia University (45)
4.Johns Hopkins University (42)
5.Brandeis University (27)
6.The New School (25)
7.University of Michigan (20)
8.Duke University (19)
9.Western New Mexico University (18)
10.University of Maryland – Baltimore (16)
The following are the top ten Master's International programs. The number in parenthesis represents the number of students enrolled in the program and serving overseas as of September 30, 2012.
1.Michigan Technological University (35)
2.Tulane University (29)
3.Monterey Institute of International Studies (26)
4.University of Denver (25)
5.University of South Florida (24)
6.University of Washington (22)
7.University of Montana (17)
8.Illinois State University (15)
9.George Mason University (14)
10.Florida State University (13)
About Master's International: Peace Corps partners with more than 80 colleges and universities nationwide to enable students to earn a graduate degree while serving in the Peace Corps. Students begin their studies on campus, serve overseas with the Peace Corps for two years, then return to school to finish graduate work. As part of Peace Corps service, the volunteer will work on projects related to his or her graduate studies. The Master's international program began at Rutgers University–Camden in 1987 and since then, more than 1,000 Peace Corps volunteers have completed the program.
About Coverdell Fellows: Peace Corps partners with more than 80 colleges and universities nationwide to offer RPCVs an opportunity to earn their graduate or doctorate degree at a reduced cost. In return for financial benefits like reduced tuition, assistantships, and stipends, RPCVs will put the skills they learned in the Peace Corps to work in professional internships in underserved American communities. Volunteers who have successfully completed their Peace Corps service have lifetime eligibility for Coverdell Fellows. The program was started in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University and since then, more than 4,000 Peace Corps volunteers have completed the program. For more information, visit www.peacecorps.gov/fellows.
About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency's mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.
