Bulldog Bites

News and Views from the University of Redlands

U of R ranks among Peace Corps’ 2019 top volunteer-producing schools

Alejandra Garcia ’16 (back right) is a Peace Corps youth-in-development volunteer in Peru.

Peace Corps has announced that the University of Redlands places fourth among small schools on the agency’s list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities for 2019. With 15 Bulldogs currently volunteering in countries around the world, the University now has received the honor for two years in a row.

“Given the number of hours our students devote to community development overseas, in their home communities, and here in Redlands, it stands to reason that they would continue to distinguish themselves in this way,” says Steve Wuhs, U of R’s assistant provost for internationalization and interim director of College of Arts and Sciences Study Away. “We’re very proud of this repeat achievement and how it reflects on global learning and service at the University of Redlands.”

Since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, more than 280 alumni from Redlands have served abroad as volunteers.

“The liberal arts foundation at U of R inspires many to serve in the Peace Corps,” says Alejandra Garcia ’16, a Peace Corps youth-in-development volunteer in Peru. “The University really encourages a well-rounded student in many areas and promotes the idea of volunteering. My alma mater helped me prepare for Peace Corps as it allowed me to see the fruits of volunteering go beyond making a difference in another place; volunteering also makes a difference within oneself. Redlands gave me many opportunities to volunteer in different programs, all which served to further encourage a commitment to long-term service like Peace Corps.” 

Sarah Esquivel ‘15, a Peace Corps environment volunteer in the Philippines, adds: “Learning through service is a huge part of the campus culture at University of Redlands; it’s actually part of the curriculum. All students participate in a Community Service Activity Course, and wherever that course takes you it’s an eye-opening experience on the importance of community service.”

The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body. The Peace Corps website provides the complete 2019 rankings of the top 25 schools in each category as well as an interactive map that shows where alumni from each college and university are serving.

Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen notes, “We have seen time and again that the colleges and universities that produce the most Peace Corps volunteers focus on cultivating global citizens in addition to promoting scholarship. [These graduates] bring critical skills to communities around the world and gain hands-on, life-changing experience along the way.”

Learn more about Community Service Learning at the University of Redlands.