For the 10th year in a row, the University of Notre Dame is ranked among the nation’s top 25 medium-sized universities (those with undergraduate enrollments between 5,000 and 15,000) producing Peace Corps volunteers. With 21 alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps, Notre Dame is ranked 23rd on the list.
Since its inception in 1961, the Peace Corps has enrolled volunteers from more than 3,000 institutions nationwide. At present, 7,671 Peace Corps volunteers are serving for 27-month commitments in 76 countries.
“For nearly 50 years, enthusiastic college alumni have contributed to the success of Peace Corps programs and our mission to promote world peace and friendship in host communities around the world,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams. “Peace Corps service is a life changing leadership opportunity and a great career foundation in almost every field, including international development, education, public health, engineering, agriculture and law.”
Notre Dame’s association with the Peace Corps goes back to the agency’s founding in 1961, when the very first volunteers were trained on campus. Since then, more than 800 Notre Dame graduates have entered the Peace Corps, more than from any other Catholic college or university.
The complete “Peace Corps Top Colleges 2010” list is available on the Peace Corps Web site