From Feb. 28 to March 4, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln will celebrate Peace Corps Week with a series of information sessions for students to learn more about the Peace Corps.

Peace Corps Week is an annual national celebration that commemorates President John F. Kennedy’s establishment of the agency on March 1, 1961. This year’s theme is “Meet the Moment,” in recognition of the imperative to come together as a global community to tackle the historic challenges driven by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to events planned by the agency, Nebraska students can participate in the celebrations on campus with multiple opportunities to learn about becoming a Peace Corps volunteer and applying to the university’s Peace Corps Prep program. Launched last September, Peace Corps Prep is an undergraduate program that combines university coursework, hands-on experiences and professional development opportunities to prepare students for working in international development. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate directly from the Peace Corps.

“Peace Corps Week provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the impact the Peace Corps has made on individual Americans and communities around the world over its 61-year history,” said Rebecca Baskerville, program coordinator for Nebraska’s Peace Corps Prep program and associate director for experiential and global learning in the University Honors Program. “We’re excited to join in this celebration and recognize the opportunities UNL students have to explore Peace Corps service, including the Peace Corps Prep program.”

Events for the week include:

• Information Booth at Nebraska Union — From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 28 to March 2, staff will be available at the Union booths to answer questions for students interested in applying for the Peace Corps Prep undergraduate program and for Peace Corps service after graduation.

• Peace Corps Prep Information Sessions — Undergraduate students interested in applying for the next cohort of Peace Corps Prep can join staff from 4 to 4:30 p.m. March 1-2 for a virtual information sessions hosted via Zoom. A third session will be offered March 4 from noon to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required in advance.

• Global Café: Applying for Peace Corps — All students interested in applying for Peace Corps and learning more about what it means to be a volunteer can join staff for an application workshop from 4 to 5 p.m. March 3. Advance registration is required.

Students who are interested in applying for the next cohort of the Peace Corps Prep program should submit their application on the MyWorld website by March 11. All undergraduate students in good standing are eligible and should apply at least two semesters prior to graduation. Students from traditionally underrepresented communities are strongly encouraged to apply. International students may also complete the Peace Corps Prep program at Nebraska, but applicants serving in the Peace Corps must be U.S. citizens.

For questions about the Prep program or Peace Corps Week, contact Rebecca Baskerville at rlbaskerville@unl.edu.