WASHINGTON, D.C., February 19, 2013 – The Peace Corps and Wake Forest University are proud to announce a new partnership through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, an initiative that provides graduate school scholarships to returned Peace Corps volunteers. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to earn a Masters of Science in Management from the Wake Forest Schools of Business.
“The Peace Corps is delighted to have Wake Forest University as a partner in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program,” said Acting Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “This new partnership enables returned Peace Corps volunteers to continue their work in public service through meaningful internships in underserved American communities. Experience overseas and graduate studies position Peace Corps Fellows to launch a career by combining coursework with service.”
“Collaborating with the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows program was an obvious choice,” said Matt Merrick, Senior Associate Dean of Students for the Wake Forest Schools of Business. “From our viewpoint, we get well-rounded, diverse students who add unique perspectives to Wake Forest. From the fellows’ viewpoint, after spending two years serving overseas, these students will get a top-notch business education in just ten months, be exposed to a wide variety of organizations to help them chart their career paths, and they’ll be prepared to start on the fast track as they begin their careers.”
One fellow selected for the program may receive a full-tuition scholarship based on extraordinary merit, while two fellows will receive scholarships covering 50 percent of tuition.
Internships in underserved communities will be an integral part of each recipient’s degree; allowing returned Peace Corps volunteers to bring the skills they acquired during service back home to make an impact in the United States. In addition, students will be able to further bolster their skills with business consulting projects at local nonprofits and businesses. Wake Forest’s Office of Volunteer Services has pre-existing relationships with several community organizations, including Samaritan Ministries and The Shalom Project.
There are currently 664 graduates and 523 undergraduates enrolled in Wake Forest’s School of Business, which will be moving this year to the newly constructed Farrell Hall. The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program started in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University and now includes more than 80 university partners in 31 states and the District of Columbia. The program is specifically reserved for students who have already completed their tenure abroad with the Peace Corps. More details can be found at www.peacecorps.gov/fellows.
About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency’s mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.
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