BY ELLIE GERST | the Statesman For the first time ever, UMD has landed on Peace Corps’ annual list of top volunteer-producing mid-sized colleges and universities in the country. UMD ranks No. 20 on the list, with 14 alumni currently volunteering overseas with Peace Corps.
In total, UMD has had 299 students volunteer for Peace Corps.
“I think it shows that we have a lot of really great students here that are willing to set aside time to do volunteer work and give time to the community and the world,” junior Lauryn Aanerud said.
Peace Corps is an agency that has been working in over 140 countries for the past 50 years on climate change, pandemic disease, food security and gender equality and empowerment. Their mission is to promote world peace and friendship.
“I think it’s great that UMD made the list,” Stephanie Bartsch, a returned Peace Corps volunteer and now-UMD employee, said. “It’s exciting to know that people from this area are interested in becoming Peace Corps volunteers all over the globe.”
Bartsch, who works in UMD’s study abroad office, volunteered for the Peace Corps in Cambodia from 2008-2010. Bartsch served as a high school English teacher and youth development leader and is very passionate about the experience she had overseas.
“A valuable take-away was the realization that as much as we tried to provide sustainable assistance in the community where we lived, there was an equal amount of learning and reflection about myself, my own culture and our place in this world, which is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life,” Bartsch said.
Janice McInerney, a regional recruiter from Peace Corps, advises UMD students who are interested in the Peace Corps. McInerney visits UMD a few times a year to let students know about the opportunities in Peace Corps and supports them throughout the application process.
“I’ve been thrilled to see the increased interest in Peace Corps at UMD, and I’m really happy to see that so many students are having the opportunity to serve,” McInerney said. “Peace Corps really is a life-changing leadership experience, so it’s fun to reconnect with people when they return home too.”
UMD senior Lexi King isn’t surprised by the number of UMD students who have volunteered their time in Peace Corps.
“I’ve thought about doing the Peace Corps. I feel like UMD students are really involved in their community, so it makes sense,” King said.
McInerney will be returning to UMD sometime in the Spring to meet with students and help those interested in volunteering.
“I’m genuinely honored every day to work with students who are passionate about making a difference after graduation,” McInerney said.