FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
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Peace Corps
Contact: Press Office
Phone: 202.692.2230
Fax: 202.692.2201
Email: pressoffice@peacecorps.gov |
Peace Corps & AACC Rollout New Initiative to Place Skilled Americans in Overseas Communities |
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WASHINGTON, D.C., February 10, 2004 – The Peace Corps and the American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC) have embarked on a groundbreaking
initiative that will increase opportunities for licensed nurses, trained
Information Technology (IT) experts and other specially trained Americans to
share their skills by touching the lives of men, women and children around the
globe. Today, the two organizations formally rolled out a new recruitment
campaign—the first major concentrated effort specifically targeting community
colleges and their graduates to make them aware of the exciting opportunities
for qualified, skilled Americans to serve internationally.
Today’s rollout is the first of four events across the country. Director
Vasquez will help introduce the initiative in Denver with the Colorado Community
College System at events on February 12-13, at Santa Ana College in California
on February 23, and on March 3, at Rochester Community and Technical College in
Minnesota.
“Community college graduates have the necessary experience and occupational
and technical skills to respond to the critical needs of countries where Peace
Corps volunteers serve,” said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. “We are
thrilled that the AACC, as well as community colleges across the nation, have
shown great interest in working with the Peace Corps to increase awareness about
opportunities for their students and graduates to serve as volunteers.”
“Peace Corps service offers community college graduates the opportunity to
learn a new language, live in another culture, develop leadership skills, and
put degrees and experience to work in gratifying ways that improve the lives of
others,” said George R. Boggs, AACC CEO and president. “This initiative is
especially timely since community colleges nationwide are expanding their
international programs. The experience that community college graduates will
gain through Peace Corps service will enhance their professional opportunities
throughout their careers,” said Boggs.
For years, the Peace Corps has received requests for specifically skilled
Americans to serve in countries in the areas of IT, health, water sanitation,
business development and agriculture. These technical areas are part of the
Peace Corps’ scarce skills recruiting programs. Today, this new initiative will
allow the Peace Corps and AACC to better fill the requests of countries in which
the Peace Corps serves, and make known that community college graduates with
their licenses, skills and training are needed and can have an experience of a
lifetime.
Today, almost half of the students enrolled in institutions of higher
education in the United States are studying in community colleges. Most of the
licensing, certification and technical training to prepare Americans for the
workplace is done at the community college level. For example, 50 percent of
registered nurses are educated at community colleges.
Currently, 7,533 volunteers serve in 71 countries in projects related to
agriculture, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology,
business development, the environment, and education. Since 1961, more than
170,000 volunteers have served in the 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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