UM Maintains Peace Corps Ranking

For the second consecutive year, more Peace Corps volunteers per capita came from Missoula than any other metropolitan area in the country. The University of Montana plays a part in that ranking.

The University of Montana ranked 14th among medium-sized schools for the number of students who became Peace Corps volunteers in 2011. Medium-sized schools are defined as having 5,000 to 15,000 undergraduate students. UM sent 32 students to the Corps while George Washington University, which ranked first in the same category, sent 78.

First year Peace Corps representative Dana Foster acts as an informational conduit for prospective volunteers at the University and around the state. Foster is a recent graduate of UM's international conservation and development master's program, and served in the Peace Corps in El Salvador for two years starting in 2009.

She said her experience in the Peace Corps was challenging and rewarding, and that volunteering is about "shaping your goals for the future."

Foster credits the University's, and Missoula's, high rankings to several things. She pointed out that UM is the only university in the state that has master's programs directly intertwined with the Peace Corps.

Both the international conservation and development degree and intercultural youth and family development degree give students a chance to engage in preliminary steps for participation in the Peace Corps.

She also credits the mindset of Missoula's population.

"I think (Missoula) is a very community-minded place," she said.

Foster said the Peace Corps is always looking for volunteers, but the preferred areas of volunteer expertise are constantly changing. Currently, the most sought after areas are in agriculture, education and the environment, she said.

UM's Peace Corps representative office is located in the career services area of the Lommasson Center. Every month, Foster and the Peace Corps representative's office hold an informational meeting for those interested in serving. Next month's meeting is Feb. 15 in the Davidson Honors College student lounge and will include a rare opportunity to speak with past volunteers.

cody.blum@umontana.edu