Leader of Peace Corps to visit campus Feb. 10

February 5, 2014

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Carrie Hessler-Radelet, acting director of the Peace Corps, will visit the University of Florida Feb. 10 to talk with students and faculty about how Peace Corps service can give them a competitive edge in today’s global job market.

She will speak at 9:30 a.m. in Smathers Library East, Room 1A. While in Gainesville, Hessler-Radelet also will meet with returned Peace Corps volunteers, the Gainesville Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Association and UF officials.

Peace Corps volunteers travel to the corners of the world where they work toward sustainable change while gaining experience and developing the skills employers are looking for now more than ever. College graduates who have served with the Peace Corps return with a global perspective as well as cross-cultural, leadership, community development and language skills.

UF is a longtime supporter of the Peace Corps, consistently ranking among the top colleges and universities in the country for recruits. In 2013, UF tied for the No. 1 spot in the nation, and in 2012, UF produced more graduate alumni volunteers than any other graduate school in the country.

Through the Peace Corps Master’s International program, the agency partners with the school’s College of Agricultural & Life Sciences to offer students an opportunity to integrate a master’s degree with overseas service. Gainesville is also home to a large community of returned Peace Corps volunteers.

Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, more than 215,000 Americans representing all 50 states have served in 139 countries worldwide. The Peace Corps has eight regional recruitment offices across the country that work closely with prospective Peace Corps volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to ensure that all Americans who want to serve have the opportunity to do so.

Students and community members can contact the North Florida field-based recruiter Chad Chernet at cchernet@peacecorps.gov to learn more.