ASU climbs 4 spots in Peace Corps rankings

Arizona State University rose four spots on the annual list of “Peace Corps Top Colleges and Universities,” released Feb. 1. With 58 alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers, ASU ranks 20th among all large universities, up from 24th last year.

ASU currently has alumni serving in 37 of the 77 countries where Peace Corps works. The majority of volunteers are working in health, education and business development, with ASU students serving in countries as diverse as Bulgaria, Mongolia and Suriname.

Ana Madrid, a 2009 ASU graduate with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, is working as a business volunteer in Peru. She previously served as president of ASU’s chapter of the American Businesswomen’s Association and now consults with Peruvian entrepreneurs on strategic planning, marketing and organizational development.

She says that Peace Corps is a good fit because of her “passion for international business and markets. I want to help developing countries increase their economic development and be able to leave knowing [the businesses] can sustain themselves on their own,” Madrid says.

ASU now has a full-time Peace Corps recruiter located on campus, for the first time in its history. Lassana Toure, a returned Peace Corps volunteer who served in the Pacific island nation of Tonga, is based in ASU’s Center for Global Education Services. Interested students are encouraged to visit him at the Peace Corps table at the Collegiate Job and Internship Fair, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 10, in the Memorial Union.

“For the last 50 years, colleges and universities across our country have been an integral part of the Peace Corps family, from developing young leaders, to hosting trainings and teaching the importance of lifelong learning,” said Aaron S. Williams, Peace Corps director.

“In 1961, President Kennedy created the Peace Corps in response to the passion of university students, and today we continue to be inspired by the enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity of the thousands of Americans now serving overseas. Colleges instill a commitment to public service among their students and share our belief that, together, we can work to make the world a better place.”

In the past 40 years, 881 ASU alumni have served in the Peace Corps.

Today, 8,655 volunteers are working with local communities in 77 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Service is a 27-month commitment.

For more information, contact Toure at ltoure@peacecorps.gov or 602-326-0888.