Time, Space, Presence
Very few people represent the values of Peace Corps better than Jody Olsen. Olsen, who served as director of the agency from 2018 to 2021, is one of just a handful of directors who also served as Volunteers before ascending to that position. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Olsen made the unprecedented decision to evacuate all 7,000 Volunteers in the field to bring them safely home. She’s also a longtime champion of women’s economic empowerment. Today, she serves as co-chair of the RPCV group Women of Peace Corps Legacy, and chair of the Peace Corps Park advisory committee. Her most recent endeavor is the publication of her memoir, A...
The Stream: Winter 2024
The Women by Kristin Hannah This historical fiction novel is a powerful story of courage and sacrifice, following young nursing student Frankie McGrath as she joins the Vietnam War and faces a changed America upon her return. The novel shines a light on the stories of all women who put themselves in harm’s way to help others. (Link to Book) The Burning Earth by Sunil Amrith In this sweeping global history ranging from the Mongol expansion to contemporary climate change, Sunil Amrith explores how 500 years of human expansion, environmental exploitation, and empire have reshaped both humanity and the...
A Founding Father
At 92 years old, Chuck Laskey embodies a rare spirit of dedication and adventure. As a former Peace Corps Volunteer and international relief worker, Laskey spent over three decades traveling the world, helping those in need, and experiencing the beauty of cultures across continents. His story is one of courage, resilience, and an enduring commitment to humanity. It also exemplifies an often-overlooked early collaboration between the Peace Corps and the stalwart development agency CARE International (Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere), founded in 1945 to fight global poverty. “When the Peace Corps emerged in 1961 as a government program, they...
Democracy Calling
Can you name five people who served in the Peace Corps who have gone on to achieve towering accomplishments or influence hundreds of lives in their careers? Easy, right? Our legions of Volunteers, 250,000 who have served since 1963, are the people changing the world and our country in ways few others can claim. Simply put, Peace Corps service makes America better. As Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in these turbulent times, it is incumbent upon us to ensure the future of Peace Corps and protect its legacy by standing in unity for our common cause: fostering international peace and friendship...
Remembering Roger Lewis (1941–2024)
Roger Lewis' Contribution to the Peace Corps Commemorative was Foundational and Enduring By Jonathan Pearson For years, many within the Peace Corps community desired a presence among the national treasures that are dotted on or near Washington’s National Mall, to recognize the contributions of a quarter million Peace Corps Volunteers and former staff who served our nation. One of those efforts was sparked in 2001 on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol, when Kevin Quigley and his wife, Susan Flaherty, were attending the annual Memorial Day concert. Looking over the National Mall, a conversation began where they lamented...
Seton Hall School of Diplomacy and International Relations
We treat our students as colleagues, and we work together to make an impact. Influencing Policy – Working for Change Highly regarded as a professional center for scholarship and practice in the field of international relations, the School of Diplomacy is strategically located in South Orange, NJ, just 14 miles from New York City, with programs offered on campus, at the UN, in Washington, D.C., online, and around the globe. Fast Facts Generous scholarships, graduate assistantships, and other forms of financial aid. Unparalleled experiential learning opportunities in NYC, Washington, DC and around the globe. Ranked among the top 30...
School for International Training Graduate Institute
Develop your intercultural skills and earn your graduate degree with semesters and residencies in up to four countries. For more than 60 years, SIT Graduate Institute has prepared globally minded leaders to turn experience into impact through experiential learning, global perspectives, and graduate and doctoral programs designed to turn purpose into meaningful action. Fast Facts Full-time, one-year global master's degree programs allow you to kickstart your career sooner, increasing your earning potential without the time commitment of a traditional two-year program Part-time, online doctoral degrees complemented by short international residencies enable you to earn your degree while still working Intentionally...
Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
The knowledge, community, global vision, and generous scholarships to help transform your service to a career as a caregiver and a leader. Fast Facts Seven $30k Coverdell scholarships & one $60k scholarship for RPCVs No. 1 in the nation for its Doctor of Nursing Practice Program (DNP), U. S. News & World Report No. 2 in the nation for its Master of Science in Nursing, Entry into Nursing Program (MSN), U.S. News & World Report No. 3 nursing school in the world, according to 2026 QS World University rankings Learn More Take the first step on your nursing journey We Walk the Walk Like RPCVs, Johns Hopkins Nurses know the power...
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy
You’ve seen the challenges. Now lead the solutions. Duke’s Sanford School of Public Policy empowers current and emerging leaders to advance their careers, broaden their perspectives, and drive meaningful impact. Fast Facts MIDP: 95% international students (newest cohort comprises 29 students from 21 countries) MPP: 30% international students 123 RPCVs to date 71 local nonprofit or government agency partners for Coverdell Fellow internships Career support from day one. Dedicated Graduate Career Services offers personalized access to internship help, job search strategy, employer connections, and career workshops. A global policy alumni network. Sanford graduates work across every sector —...
A Leg Up
Before Taylor Majher decided to serve alongside Ministry of Agriculture representatives as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, she was introduced to the wide-ranging benefits of service through a college campus recruiter. At the time, Taylor had always envisioned that graduate school may be part of her future plans, but she didn’t know what degree she might pursue. That’s when a campus recruiter explained that Peace Corps service could support her higher education pursuits through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, a partnership between Peace Corps and universities that offers financial assistance to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. “The recruiter was...