The Domestic Dividend: Part II
It was more than altruism that motivated John F. Kennedy to start Peace Corps. By 1961, the Cold War had split the world into opposing camps: the communist East and capitalist West. On a late-night campaign stop in 1960, Kennedy informed a large group of University of Michigan students that the Soviet Union “had hundreds of men and women, scientists, physicists, teachers, engineers, doctors, and nurses . . . prepared to spend their lives abroad in the service of world communism.” In the spirit of Cold War competition, he challenged those young Americans into do the same—to give a few...
The Domestic Dividend: Part I
How do you measure the value of transformation? As Peace Corps Volunteers, we give 27 months of our lives in exchange for a lifetime of impact. Ask almost any RPCV if it was worth it and you get a resounding “Yes.” But ask any one of the many people in this country who question how their tax dollars are being spent, and you may get a different answer. In the summer of 2020, with Donald Trump in office and Peace Corps’ 60th anniversary less than a year away, a task force conceived by Dick Pyle (Jamaica 1966–68) and two RPCV...
Patchwork of Peace
The Patchwork of Peace quilt, created in 1990 at the National Peace Corps Association conference in Eugene, Oregon, is both a historical artifact and a symbol—a tactile expression of memory, advocacy, and collective identity among RPCVs. Measuring 27 feet in length and composed of 100 panels contributed by individual Volunteers, this community quilt reflects the intersection of art, activism, and social memory. The project was led by Lisa Greenberg (Sierra Leone, 1984–86), who facilitated the collection of the panels during the conference, and construction was completed by Diane Jeffcott (India 1967–69) in the months that followed. More than three decades later,...
On the [Job] Hunt
For the past two years, Current and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have been hearing of and turning to a new group, RPCVnexus, for career services. Co-founded by Jonathan Keenan as a 501c3, RPCVnexus provides a one-stop-shop compiling resources and links from across the Peace Corps community, connection to a network of professionals, regular discussions and events for professional growth, and resume reviews as those applying to opportunities. “It is through a collaborative effort that we can continue supporting the Volunteers who reach out to us”, Keenan said. “Rather than trying to recreate the wheel, we’re making sure people know where...
Meet Them Where They’re At
Earlier this month, Friends of Tonga launched Tau Laukonga, an exciting pair of Tongan and English reading apps aimed at supporting literacy across both the Kingdom of Tonga and the Tongan diaspora. Each app offers 100+ fun, culturally-relevant books across various difficulty levels, topics, and genres. Moreover, the majority of available books also feature read-along audio narration recorded by native speakers. Tau Laukonga was developed by current Tonga PCV and Friends of Tonga Officer Andrew Pavey, who currently is serving in the village of Houma, Tongatapu. Pavey decided to develop the project when he noticed his students’ low achievement rates...
Conflicts to Watch in 2025
Every year, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) releases its Conflicts to Watch report, and the 2025 edition is an alarming look at where tensions could boil over. From Ukraine and Russia to rising instability in the Sahel and growing U.S.-China tensions over Taiwan, this year’s list warns of conflicts that could shape global security. We usually think of conflict prevention in terms of diplomacy, military strategy, or economic sanctions. But what about the work happening on the ground, long before tensions reach a crisis point? That’s where the Peace Corps comes in. Peace Corps volunteers don’t sit at negotiation...
Books, Partners, and Possibility
As international assistance programs come under intense scrutiny and resources continue to be cut, my experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer has demonstrated the linkages between organizations seeking to create a more just and equitable world. In 1983, when I was heading off to Peace Corps service in Togo, a friend of the family told me that I should take good notes since Africa's history was fascinating and I might want to study it further when I got home. Having grown up in a small town in Missouri, I shook my head since I did not know enough about Africa...
Americans Need to Know
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January 2025, his administration has slashed the work of many U.S. government agencies, including those focused on foreign policy. Now, there is concern that the Peace Corps could join the other foreign aid programs the administration is trying to dismantle. The United States Agency for International Development largely shut down in February and March 2025, with its workforce reduced from more than 10,000 to 15 people on staff. In early April 2025, members of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency showed up at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C., signaling...
The University Pipeline
At the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), we proudly celebrate institutions that uphold the Peace Corps legacy of service, global citizenship, and intercultural understanding. The 2025 rankings for Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities, released by the Peace Corps, reflect the enduring commitment of these academic institutions to cultivating global leaders who are equipped to make a difference in communities around the world. Topping this year’s list is the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with 46 Badgers currently serving in 30 countries. A steadfast supporter of the Peace Corps mission, UW–Madison holds the No. 2 all-time spot with 3,074 alumni having served since...
What the Peace Corps’ 2024 State Rankings Tell Us About American Service, and Why It Still Matters
https://www.peacecorps.gov/about-the-agency/media-center/news/peace-corps-announces-2024-top-volunteer-producing-states/ The Peace Corps has released its 2024 list of the top volunteer-producing states, offering more than just a snapshot of where its recruits come from, it reveals something deeper about the enduring draw of public service and the quiet ways Americans contribute to international peace and prosperity. Leading the list is California, which sent 361 volunteers abroad this year. Not far behind are Texas (181), New York (177), Virginia (172), and Florida (171). The numbers may look small compared to state populations, but the impact of these volunteers on both the communities they serve and on the United States itself...