UNH among tops school producing Peace Corps vols

DURHAM, N.H. - The University of New Hampshire ranks number 13 among medium-sized schools on the Peace Corps' list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities in 2016. There are 18 UNH alumni currently volunteering worldwide.

"The Peace Corps is a unique opportunity for college graduates to put their education into practice and become agents of change in communities around the world," said Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. "Today's graduates understand the importance of intercultural understanding and are raising their hands in record numbers to take on the challenge of international service."

Alumni from more than 3,000colleges and universities nationwide have served in the Peace Corps since the agency's founding in 1961, including 716 UNH alumni.

The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body.

The Peace Corps sends the best and brightest Americans abroad on behalf of the United States to address the most pressing needs of people around the world. Volunteers work with community members at the grassroots level to develop sustainable solutions to challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their service, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 220,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide.