News
Former Country Director, Gilbert Collins, Jeopardy Champion!
The Gilbert Collins story, continues today as he participates in a 6th quiz session on Jeopardy. Jeopardy, “America’s Favorite Quiz Show,” draws on contestant’s comprehensive knowledge in all fields. The show has been the appropriate venue for Gilbert Collins, Princeton University’s Director of Global Health Programs, to apply his academic skills and experience. Employing his considerable experience in international service – including eight years as the Peace Corps Namibia Country Director and Associate Director in Botswana – he has become Jeopardy’s first “streaker” of 2018. Gilbert is also the first 5-time “streaker” to be placed on the list. Gilbert Collins previously served as Princeton’s Director of...
National Peace Corps Association Response to President’s Recent Immigration Comments
(On Friday, the National Peace Corps Association released the following statement in the aftermath of news reports pertaining to President Trump's Thursday comments on U.S. immigration policy) Last week, National Peace Corps Association praised President Trump for his excellent nomination for Peace Corps Director. Today, however, we are obliged to take exception to the disparaging remarks apparently made in reference to the countries - and therein the citizens - which our Peace Corps community has embraced and adopted as our second homes. Since 1961, nearly 90,000 Peace Corps Volunteers served – and continue to serve - nations in Africa....
Peace Corps Health Legislation Honors Nick Castle
On the day in which fallen Peace Corps volunteer Nick Castle would have celebrated his 28th birthday, legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate to address a series of issues related to the health and safety of Volunteers. The Nick Castle Peace Corps Reform Act of 2018 (S. 2286) was introduced Wednesday, January 10th by Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Other lead sponsors include Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Chris Coons (D-DE). Nick Castle died while serving in China in 2013. A November 2014 report on the death by the Peace...
March Days of Action Include Home-Grown Advocacy
In Pittsburgh, Katie Haas Conrad (Sierra Leone 2010-12) says "We have to work to continue to educate our legislators of the importance of the (Peace Corps) or we will not be able to send professionals to interested countries." That's why for the second year in a row, Katie is spearheading a letter writing event with the Pittsburgh Area Peace Corps Association in March as part of NPCA's National Days of Action. Nearly 1,000 miles due west in Nebraska, Andrea Kruse (Bulgaria 2008-10) is making plans to organize a district meeting with the Lincoln office of Senator Ben Sasse. "Years ago...
President Nominates Jody Olsen to Lead the Peace Corps
President Trump has nominated Josephine "Jody" Olsen to become the next Peace Corps Director. If confirmed by the Senate, Olsen would become the 20th person to lead the agency. Olsen served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tunisia from 1966 - 1968 and was Togo Country Director from 1979 - 1981. She was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as Deputy Director of the agency and later served as Acting Director. “We applaud President Trump for nominating Dr. Jody Olsen to lead the Peace Corps,” said National Peace Corps Association President and CEO Glenn Blumhorst. “As a returned volunteer, country director, acting director for the...