Jessica Vandivort de Montiel, senior recruiter for the Peace Corps in western Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, will visit campus Sept. 26-29.
After suspending global operations in March 2020, the agency is now returning volunteers to service on a rolling basis. As of mid-September, it has more than 500 volunteers serving in 29 countries. Altogether, Peace Corps has 53 countries where it is looking to fill volunteers for this year.
In September 2021, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln launched its Peace Corps Prep Program, which helps undergraduate students prepare for potential Peace Corps service through coursework, hands-on experience, and professional development. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate from the Peace Corps, and have a competitive edge when applying to Peace Corps.
Since 1961, the Peace Corps has sent American volunteers to communities abroad, to work side by side with local leaders in education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development. The Peace Corps is open to all U.S. citizens 18 and older who are curious about the world and committed to helping others.
“There is high demand for math and science teachers, people with Spanish or French language skills, and in the agriculture sector,” Vandivort de Montiel said. “However, it most certainly doesn’t stop there. We need volunteers who can bond with overseas communities and collaborate with them on locally-prioritized projects. Our goal right now is the get the message out so that those who want to serve know about this tremendous opportunity, one that has been relaunched after a COVID-19 imposed two-year gap.”
Those interested in speaking with Vandivort de Montiel can attend one of the following events:
4-6 p.m., Sept. 26, Knoll Residential Center — Info Table: Peace Corps
1-3 p.m., Sept. 27, Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center — Info Table: Peace Corps
6-7 p.m. Sept. 27, Nebraska Union Regency A — Global Café: Applying for Peace Corps Application Workshop
12-4 p.m., Sept. 28, Nebraska East Union, East Campus Career Fair — Peace Corps table
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Sept. 29, Academic Grind in Oldfather Hall — Coffee Chat
