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SIT Graduate Institute Announces 2009 Winners of
National Peace Corps Association Scholarship

Five recipients will pursue master's degrees in international programs at SIT.

BRATTLEBORO, VT (October 19, 2009) - The SIT Graduate Institute announced five winners of this year's National Peace Corps Association academic scholarships to pursue master's degrees in international programs at the Institute's Brattleboro, Vermont campus. The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) Scholarship was established in 2000 to recognize the long-standing ties between SIT and the Peace Corps. Members of the NPCA who have one year or more of significant intercultural experience are eligible to apply. Several awards of $10,000 are made each year.

The 2009 NPCA Scholarship winners:

• Sarah Wann (Nanchong, Sichuan, China 2006 – 2008) will pursue a Master of Arts in International Education. While in Nanchong, Sarah was an English teacher at North Sichuan Medical College where she taught writing, reading, conversation, and western culture classes to both English majors and medical students. Sarah also gave campus-wide lectures on cross-cultural communication and understanding; created an English language resource center; and led extra-curricular activities. Sarah also helped coordinate, implement, and evaluate a Peace Corps summer training program in Chengdu, Sichuan, aimed at improving the speaking ability and teaching methods of rural Chinese high school and middle school English teachers. Following her time with the Peace Corps, Sarah taught developmental reading and writing classes as an adjunct faculty member at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.

• Larry Stratton (Vanuatu 2005 – 2008) will pursue a Master of Arts in Conflict Transformation with a concentration in Conflict and Development. While in Vanuatu, Larry worked as a community environmental and cultural tourism advisor. His project assignment was for the REACH Program (Resource Stewardship, Enterprise Promotion, Agriculture and Community Health). His accomplishments included: securing funding for a windmill, powerhouse, and a community solar power rechargeable battery project as well as funding to construct a cultural center to promote cultural tourism. Larry worked with ten villages on ways to utilize their natural resources and assets to cultivate cultural tourism and business opportunities. Prior to his service with the Peace Corps, Larry worked as a community volunteer at a homeless shelter and AIDS foundation in Charleston, South Carolina.

• Stephanie Kraemer (El Salvador 2003 – 2005) will pursue a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Development Management. While in El Salvador, Stephanie worked initially as a community organizer and later as a program manager for the Youth Development Program. As a program manager, Stephanie supervised 34 Peace Corps volunteers on technical, emotional, and cross-cultural adaptation issues. She guided and evaluated work of Salvadoran program assistants, Salvadoran training specialists, and American Volunteer Coordinators. In addition, Stephanie assisted in signing the agreement between Peace Corps El Salvador and the Salvadoran Ministry of Education and was able to form the Youth Development Project Advisory Committee where she led quarterly committee meetings and activities.

• Laura Schairbaum (Mali 2006 – 2009) will pursue a Master of Arts in Intercultural Service, Leadership, and Management. While in Mali, Laura worked as a natural resource management extension agent. In that role, she organized and wrote grant proposals for technical workshops and worked to improve gardening techniques, leadership skills, and organizational management. Laura also worked with women in villages on how to improve shea nut and butter processing techniques, while assisting them in establishing the Djidian Women’s Shea Nut and Butter Association. Laura also hosted a weekly radio broadcast show aimed at educating listeners about basic health and sanitation topics and American culture. Before her time with the Peace Corps, Laura served as a volunteer at Heifer International Learning Centers.

• Elaine Hurt (Madagascar 2006 – 2008) will pursue a Master of Science in Management with a concentration in Development Management. While in Madagascar, Elaine taught 6th and 10th grade English classes on Nosy Be as well as four core academic and technical English classes at the University of Diego. In addition, Elaine was able to increase technical English classes at the Nosy Be Chamber of Commerce from zero to two and triple student participation in Lycee Mixte English Club activities from seven to twenty-four. Elaine co-founded and supported a Committee for Diversity within Peace Corps Madagascar and worked with UNICEF and PSI on an anti-AIDS education campaign to increase outreach by fifteen percent. She conducted research for US Embassy, PSI, and World Bank staff relating to sex tourism and cultural factors. Following her service with the Peace Corps, Elaine worked as the Africa Lead in the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs

NPCA members can request information regarding this exclusive scholarship opportunity at 800-336-1616 or 802-257-7751, or on the SIT Graduate Institute web site.

The mission of the SIT Graduate Institute (formerly School for International Training), a program of World Learning, is to prepare students to be interculturally effective leaders, professionals, and citizens. In so doing, SIT Graduate Institute fosters a worldwide network of individuals and organizations committed to responsible global citizenship. The Institute fulfills this mission with degree and certificate programs for graduates and professionals.