International Center University of Florida

WASHINGTON – The Peace Corps announced today the University of Florida (UF) ranked No. 3 among schools on the agency’s list of top Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing partners in 2021. UF issued 37 Peace Corps Prep certificates to the graduating class of 2021. There were 292 enrolled in the Peace Corps Prep program at UF during the 2020–21 academic year.

“At this pivotal time in our history, young people have a crucial role to play,” said Peace Corps Acting Director Carol Spahn. “Through the Peace Corps Prep program, these schools have equipped students with the skills and understanding necessary to help communities near and far recover from the multidimensional and global shocks of the pandemic.”

Established in 2007, Peace Corps Prep aims to meet the demand for Peace Corps volunteers with broad and relevant areas of expertise and to support schools’ efforts to provide substantive, globally focused experiences for their students. Through the program, students learn about leadership, intercultural competencies, foreign language, and a professional sector of their choice like education, health, or the environment. While having a Peace Corps Prep certificate does not guarantee acceptance into the international service agency, enrolling in the program helps them be more competitive during the selection process.

Peace Corps works with more than 150 partner institutions nationwide to deliver programming that underscores a commitment to global citizenship, intercultural competencies and a sense of service among students. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic causing a global evacuation of Peace Corps volunteers, more than 700 undergraduate students completed the Peace Corps Prep program in the 2020–21 academic year.

“Peace Corps Prep is an opportunity for all undergraduate students to develop competencies that will fortify their aspirations to serve abroad,” said La’Teashia Sykes, Peace Corps director of University Programs. “Congratulations to the top ten Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing schools and a special thanks to all of our partner institutions for cultivating students’ interest in Peace Corps service.”

As an avenue for undergraduate students to structure their global learning experience, Peace Corps Prep at UF is paired with the International Scholars Program (ISP), a UF commencement medallion program. UF Peace Corps Prep and ISP allow students to define their international learning both inside the classroom—through international coursework and sector specific coursework—as well as outside the classroom with hands-on experience, international campus life events, and immersive international experiences like international service learning or language study. Whether students choose to pursue Peace Corps service or a role in their chosen field, they are prepared to make a difference and have an impact as global citizens.

“The University of Florida International Center prepares students to excel in a globalized world. A vibrant Peace Corps Prep Program complementing the International Scholars program is essential to supporting students as they learn to be good global citizens, doing their part to steward the earth’s resources, improve the quality of human lives, and be proactive contributors to the search for justice and equality,” said Leonardo Villalón, Ph.D., dean of the International Center at UF.

The top ten 2020–21 Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing partners are:

Rankings/Certificates Issued

For more information about the Peace Corps Prep program at UF, contact Carly Vogelsang at cvogelsang@ufic.ufl.edu or (352) 273-4439.