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Colorado Community College System and Peace Corps Partner
Skilled graduates to be actively recruited for Peace Corps service.
DENVER, February 12, 2004 – The Peace Corps and Colorado Community College System (CCCS) have partnered on a groundbreaking initiative that will increase opportunities for licensed nurses, trained information technology experts and other specially trained Coloradoans to share their skills by touching the lives of men, women, and children around the globe. Today a declaration was signed by Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez and Jeannie G. Reeser, immediate past chair of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, to actively recruit qualified community college graduates for Peace Corps service.
Colorado is the first statewide rollout of the national initiative between Peace Corps and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) unveiled in Washington D.C. on February 11.
"Community college graduates have the necessary experience and occupational and technical skills to respond to the critical needs of countries where Peace Corps volunteers serve," said Vasquez. "We are thrilled that the AACC as well as community colleges across the nation have shown great interest in working with the Peace Corps to increase awareness about opportunities for their students and graduates to serve as volunteers."
The Peace Corps has had the support, interest, and service of community college students throughout its 43 years but this initiative marks the first active recruitment effort.
"Turning to community college graduates to find the skilled people to serve our country in the cause of peace is an excellent idea, said Mary Gershwin, Executive Director of System Advancement for CCCS. "Our graduates have practical expertise in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, technology, business, construction trades, and education. They've been transforming Colorado communities for years and now they can help transform the world through the Peace Corps."
Currently, 267 Coloradoans are part of the 7,533 Americans who serve in 71 countries in projects related to agriculture, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and education. Since 1961, more than 5,500 Coloradoans and a total of over 170,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps. Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.
The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education serving more than 116,000 students annually. Its career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions serve students annually in 1,200 secondary and 800 postsecondary programs.
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Peace Corps is Seeking Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
Working at Community Colleges
Are you a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who is now working at a community college? If so, The Peace Corps would like to connect you with information and opportunities regarding the partnership between the Peace Corps and Colorado Community College System to recruit qualified community college graduates to international service in the Peace Corps.
Action: Please let The Peace Corps regional office know if you are interested in learning more by emailing Ann Conway, Peace Corps Regional Manager, at aconway@peacecorps.gov or contact her at 303-844-7024. Ann will send you information on the initiative and the college teams who are raising awareness on how community college graduates can qualify for Peace Corps service. Also, if you are interested in connecting with the organization of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, please email Dave Hibbard (RPCV 1961), Board Member of the National Peace Corps Association, at cdhibbard@indra.com or 303-604-5049.
You can also reach him at 3712 Wonderland Hill Ave., Boulder, CO 80304.
We are very excited about this initiative. It opens doors for our graduates in personal and professional growth through international service. We hope that you will take this opportunity to become involved.
For information on the community college initiative, go to: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.media.press.view&news_id=912
For information on how community college graduates can qualify for Peace Corps service, go to: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whovol.collegestu.associate. |
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