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Hamilton College is number 18 on Peace Corps’ 2013 Top Colleges for small schools, those with a student population under 5,000. The annual list recognizes the highest volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the U.S. for small, medium, large and graduate institutions.
There are currently 15 alumni from Hamilton College serving overseas. Since the agency was founded in 1961, a total of 234 alumni have served in the Peace Corps.
Hamilton alumni are currently serving as volunteers in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ecuador, Guyana, Lesotho, Moldova, Mongolia, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Tanzania. They work in areas including education, environment, health and community economic development.
“Every year, graduates of colleges and universities across the United States are making a difference in communities overseas through Peace Corps service,” said Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “As a result of the top-notch education they receive, these graduates are well prepared for the challenge of international service. They become leaders in their host communities and carry the spirit of service and leadership back with them when they return home.”
“What I cherish the most of my service here in Paraguay are its wonderful people and their hospitality, always treating me like I was part of their family,” said Hamilton alumna Johanna Sanchez who currently serves as an education volunteer in Paraguay. “They will all have a special place in my heart!”
Currently, more than 8,000 volunteers are working with communities in 76 host countries on projects related to agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development.
During Peace Corps service, college graduates make a difference in communities overseas. Volunteers return home as global citizens with cross-cultural, leadership, language, teaching and community development skills that position them for advanced education and professional opportunities in today’s global job market. Ninety percent of volunteer positions require a bachelor’s degree. Americans with backgrounds in agriculture, environment, teaching English as a second language, and other technical or language skills related to Peace Corps assignment areas are encouraged to apply for service one year in advance of their target departure date. The next application deadline is February 28, 2013.
The Peace Corps lists Top Colleges annually according to the size of the student body. Small schools have less than 5,000 undergraduates, medium-sized schools have between 5,000 and 15,000 undergraduates and large schools have more than 15,000 undergraduates. The list is calculated based on fiscal year 2012 data as of September 30, 2012 as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.