Please join us in welcoming former Peace Corps Deputy Director (and UMD Alum) Jody Olsen to the University of Maryland on Wednesday, March 3. Dr. Olsen will speak about the Peace Corps and the importance of public service, international volunterism and why today's Peace Corps is more vital than ever.
What: Peace Corps Information Session
Where: The Language House
Multipurpose Room
College Park, Maryland 20742
When: Wednesday, March 3d from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Currently, there are 7,671 Peace Corps volunteers serving in 76 host countries around the world. A college degree is not mandatory for service. Relevant experience in areas such as education, health, business, IT, environment, and agriculture, however, is required. In 2009, Peace Corps received over 15,000 applications, an 18 percent increase over 2008. This is the largest number of applications since the agency began electronically recording applications in 1998. Since the Peace Corps inception in 1961, over 1,000 graduates from the University of Maryland have served in the Peace Corps.
Dr. Olsen served as Peace Corps Deputy Director from 2002 to 2008 and was the Acting Director of the agency from January to August 2009. Her distinguished career at the Peace Corps began as a Volunteer in Tunisia from 1966 to 1968, teaching English and developing community health programs. In 1979 and 1980, she was Peace Corps country director in Togo, a program which focused on education, health, and agriculture. Dr. Olsen has traveled to over 80 countries. She is a tireless advocate for the mission of the Peace Corps and the work of Volunteers, speaking at dozens of domestic and international events each year. She is a former president of the University of Maryland Alumni Association and remains active in alumni affairs. Dr. Olsen holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Maryland; and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland's College of Education.
The Peace Corps provides both tangible benefits and a life-defining leadership experience. Peace Corps volunteers return from service as global citizens and receive support from the Peace Corps in the form of career services, graduate school opportunities, advantages in federal employment, readjustment allowances, and loan deferment and cancellation opportunities.
Peace Corps’ nine regional recruiting offices across the United States work to recruit and provide information and guidance to prospective Peace Corps volunteers. Peace Corps recruiters work locally throughout each region and many are responsible for specific college and university campuses. Potential applicants can connect with a local recruiter and locate their local regional recruiting office by visiting the Peace Corps website at www.peacecorps.gov.
As the Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 76 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.
No comments:
Post a Comment