Partnership Creates First International Political Economy & Development Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Fordham University in the Bronx, N.Y., has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Peace Corps, becoming the 35th partner of the agency’s Fellows/USA program. The partnership also makes Fordham the third Fellows/USA university in the New York City area and adds international political economy and development as a new course of study offered through Peace Corps Fellows/USA.

As one of the Peace Corps' domestic programs, Fellows/USA establishes partnerships with universities that provide reduced-cost graduate education to former Peace Corps volunteers. In return, former volunteers are asked to complete internships in underserved U.S. communities in addition to graduate course work. Returned volunteers are well suited to fill hard-to-staff positions or work in multilingual environments as a result of the language and professional skills they acquired during their Peace Corps service.

As a Jesuit university, Fordham is already committed to community service and has historically given special consideration for enrollment to former Peace Corps volunteers who have exhibited a similar commitment. As a Fellows/USA partner, the institution will now offer one full-tuition scholarship annually, valued at $28,800, to a qualified returned Peace Corps volunteer.

While working toward a master of arts in international political economy and development as a Peace Corps Fellow, the former volunteer will engage in fieldwork that addresses the creation, preservation, and financing of affordable housing in the Bronx. The Fellow will be serving a population that consists primarily of low-income families, many of whom are recent immigrants to the United States. Forty percent of the families serviced by Fordham students have household incomes below $15,000.

"Fordham proudly welcomes Peace Corps Fellows as important members of our university community that centers its mission on the Jesuit philosophy of homines pro aliis, training men and women who want to devote their lives and talents in the service of others," said Fordham University President Reverend Joseph M. McShane, S.J.

For more information about the Fellows/USA program at Fordham, contact Henry Schwalbenberg, Ph.D., at 718-817-4064 or iped@fordham.edu. Please visit the Peace Corps Web site at http://www.peacecorps.gov/fellows for more information about Fellows/USA.

Since 1961, more than 178,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.

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