When the Peace Corps released its rankings of colleges and universities that have produced the highest all-time number of volunteers since 1961, Carleton College ranked No. 2 and St. Olaf College came in No. 3.
Since the Peace Corps founding in 1961, 504 Knights and 483 Oles have served as Peace Corps Volunteers.
In the last 20 years, Carleton College and St. Olaf College have both made history for being among the Top 10 small schools across the country that have been champions in producing volunteers for the Peace Corps.
Nationally, over the last six decades, more than 240,000 volunteers from more than 3,000 colleges and universities have accepted the agency’s invitation to serve in 144 countries.
Oles in action
For Clay Hawkins, a psychology major with concentrations in Latin American and gender/sex studies, the Peace Corps offered the graduating senior the right placement at the right time for him at this stage in his 22 year old life.
After he graduates on May 25, Hawkins is headed to Costa Rica as a Peace Corps volunteer. Despite the long, tedious application process, Hawkins said he was "super excited" to start his development work with young Costa Ricans. He signed a 27-month contract, which allows for three months of training in San Jose first before moving to a site where he will be stationed for two years.
Besides paying all his medical expenses and flights to and from Costa Rica, Hawkins said the Peace Corps will pay him a monthly stipend that is the equivalent to the average local paycheck. "This gesture made me appreciate their thoughtful approach in country," he said.
Costa Rica is one of the most competitive and sought-after assignments, popular for its safety and its proximity to the United States, said Zoe Davis,director of Career Development and Coaching at the Piper Center for Vocation and Career.
Davis said St. Olaf students are uniquely positioned to serve in the Peace Corps, because the college's mission asks students to ‘explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community.
“Students who serve in the Peace Corps truly live this mission beyond their time at St. Olaf," said Davis. "Peace Corps volunteers serve across a variety of industries and learn to be nimble when navigating new experiences, which provides incredible preparation for the world of work.”
Last January 2023, Hawkins studied in Costa Rica and said he was excited to become more fluent in Spanish, a language he has been learning for nearly five years.
"I want to live life first, have daily interactions with all the people at my site and be open to new experiences," he said.
Zoe Davis, director of Career Development and Coaching at the Piper Center for Vocation and Career, said St. Olaf students are uniquely positioned to serve in the Peace Corps, because the college's mission asks students to ‘explore meaningful vocation in an inclusive, globally engaged community.
“Students who serve in the Peace Corps truly live this mission beyond their time at St. Olaf," said Davis. "Peace Corps volunteers serve across a variety of industries and learn to be nimble when navigating new experiences, which provides incredible preparation for the world of work.”
St. Olaf College student Jonathan Komschlies said the Peace Corps has given him the amazing opportunity to serve hard-to-reach rural communities in a way that impacts numerous critical needs.
Komschlies, who grew up in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, graduated from St. Olaf in 2019. He entered the Peace Corps as a volunteer in Sierra Leone in June 2022.
"While my main focus has been in Secondary Education, I have also been able to work with my community in promoting small businesses, developing agricultural techniques and improving medical efficiencies - all while building lasting relationships and immersing myself in an incredible culture. My time in Gbendembu, Sierra Leone has been a true blessing on my life, and through Peace Corps, I've been able to witness the on-the-ground impact in real time.
Carls in action
Kyle Fraser-Mines graduated from Carleton College in 2021 and serves as an education Volunteer in Cambodia. “Carleton College attracts many people to the Peace Corps because the school fosters an environment of community service and awareness about the world around us," she said.
Fraser-Mines explained that Carleton prepared students for global relationships by offering a host of experiences through community partners to work with a diverse population.
“We had students going to the local elementary school in their psychology classes to learn about the best methods to teach youth, students participating in the climate action initiative to make the school carbon neutral by 2050, students working on the campus farm and sharing information about effective practices, and many more unique opportunities," she said.
"Through all these experiences, Carleton gives students relevant experiences that will help them succeed as volunteers in whichever post they choose and allows them to foster their interests in development in a sustainable and encouraging fashion,” she added.
Peace Corps director Carol Spahn said that through service, the Peace Corps equips alumni of schools like these with adaptive leadership, intercultural competence, and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by employers across federal, state, and local governments; non-profits; and the private sector.
“Today’s world requires problem solvers and people who understand that it is only through shared impact that we will change the trajectory of global issues. Curiosity and openness to others is cultivated in school, but must be nurtured throughout our lifetimes,” said Spahn.
Both college’s partnerships have been essential as the Peace Corps continues to build back its volunteer base around the world post pandemic, said Joe Naca, Peace Corps public affairs specialist.
Getting the opportunity to work with the leaders of today and tomorrow is an essential skill for emerging changemakers, David E. White, Jr., Peace Corps deputy director.
“I am so grateful to these outstanding institutions for challenging and inspiring their students to not only be exceptional students but also to go on to be informed and intentional global citizens,” said Spahn.
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