A year after declaring its partnership with the Peace Corps for the Peace Corps Prep Program, Shippensburg University announced it will host the Peace Corps Paul D. Coverdell Fellow Program.
SU signed an agreement on Nov. 4 that made it the first state system university to offer this program, which complements the master of social work program. Only 216 institutions across the nation host the elite program, according to SU News.
The Peace Corps website explains that the program is “a graduate fellowship program that offers financial assistance to returned Peace Corps Volunteers.”
That assistance includes tuition reduction, scholarships, stipends or assistantships. At SU, returned volunteers will be able to pursue a master of social work degree at a reduced cost.
According to the Peace Corps website, returned volunteers will provide their service to underserved communities in the United States’ as part of program requirements.
Returned volunteers will have to apply for an internship through the program, which will allow them to use what they learn in the classroom in professional settings.
The previous experiences and skills of the volunteers, including adapting to new cultures and environments as well as developing and managing projects, are transferable and will benefit them as they work with underserved communities in the area.
The Peace Corps program involves “recruiting a unique brand of graduate student” and that returned volunteers often promote international understanding and organizing campus-wide volunteer events on campus.
Returned volunteers will also have the ability to bring forth their experience in the Peace Corps to provide a new globalized look within the classroom.
The program will help strengthen the commitment to internationalization and community service as well as encourage programs to enhance efforts for global education, according to SU News.
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