Record Peace Corps Prep cohort set for international fieldwork

Recently the Institute for Global Engagement celebrated nine graduating seniors from across disciplines who received certification through the Peace Corps Prep certificate program: Jane Bradley, Josh Doubiago, Jeson Li, Katie Escobedo, Rowan Metivier, Aisha Navarrete, Carson O’Neil, Sadie Pratt and Emilie Webster. This is the largest cohort of graduates in the program since it began at Saint Michael’s in 2016.

The 2023 Peace Corps Prep graduates, starting in front row, from left to right: Jane Bradley, Aisha Navarrete, Joshua Doubiago. Back row: Carson O’Neil, Sadie Pratt, , Rowan Metivier Katie Escobedo, Jeson Li. (photo by Jeffrey Ayres)

The program helps students to build sector-specific knowledge through coursework, along with foreign language skills, intercultural awareness, leadership experiences and professional development.

This is a particularly hopeful year because the Peace Corps, like many international service organizations, pulled all volunteers from the field in 2020 when the pandemic hit. Now, it is steadily repopulating its programs across the globe in more than 40 countries.

This cohort of students brought a wide range of majors and leadership experiences to the program, from Public Health, French, and International Relations, to Fire & Rescue, MOVE and The Writing Center. Many of the students also studied abroad or held summer internships in South Korea through the Freeman Foundation.

The PCP certificates indicate the students’ readiness to immerse themselves in the host-country community with respect for the culture, and offer to work side-by-side with the community around its needs, from health care to education to environmental stewardship. The certificate also offers students a competitive advantage should they apply to the Peace Corps and many other international organizations in the future.

At the Saint Michael’s 2023 Commencement, look for the red and blue honor cords that Peace Corps Prep graduates will be wearing, and congratulate them for their intentional planning and hard work.