In April 2026, the Peace Corps released its annual list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities. The University of Oregon tied for 7th place for large universities, with 38 alumni who served as volunteers in 2025.
What is Peace Corps?
Established in 1961, the Peace Corps is a government agency that sends American volunteers to more than 60 countries. Peace Corps sends volunteers to serve abroad in one of six sectors: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth development, and community and economic development.
Volunteers live and work with host communities for over two years where they work with their community to understand local challenges and develop sustainable solutions. This relationship not only allows for deep cultural exchange, but it also builds transferable skills that benefit returned volunteers throughout their careers.
UO’s Commitment
Since Peace Corps founding, the UO and UO graduates have been committed to Peace Corps volunteers and service. UO students have often pioneered the way for Peace Corps service, with graduates being among the first cohorts to serve. Two former ducks committed to the Peace Corps in 1963, only two years after the program’s creation. Since then, more than 1,400 total graduates have served abroad, five of whom were among the first wave of volunteers to return to service after the COVID-19 pandemic.
To support future volunteers, the UO offers a Peace Corps Prep certificate. The certificate is officially recognized by the Peace Corps and is only offered at 150 universities across the country. This program prepares students who plan to apply to the Peace Corps and awards students with a Global Service minor. The program is open to all students and designed to help students develop intercultural skills and awareness.
When volunteers return home, the UO is there for them as well. The university participates in the Coverdell Fellowship program, sponsoring several returned volunteers each year. This program provides free or discounted graduate school for returned volunteers in more than 200 programs around the US. At the UO, students can obtain a Master of Arts through the Department of Global Studies. The University’s award is substantial, covering the full cost of tuition and guaranteed graduate employment.
UO is also one of the small number of colleges that have a strategic campus recruiter on staff. This position has been an important part of the campus community for several decades. Campus recruiters are required to be returned Peace Corps volunteers, providing a valuable resource for current students looking to join the Peace Corps after they graduate.
“One of the most important roles I think I have on campus is to help students understand the challenges and rewards of serving in the Peace Corps,” says Janelle Christensen, UO’s current campus recruiter. “Living abroad in a developing country for 27 months is a big commitment. Students want to understand what that commitment looks like firsthand. I can also speak to the opportunities that my service contributed to, both personally and professionally, in the ten years since I returned. Because UO has committed to keeping a recruiter on campus, students have the benefit of understanding service and applying to the Peace Corps through the eyes of someone who knows what it takes.”
How to Get Involved
As the Peace Corps celebrates its 65th anniversary, they are committed to having 8,000 volunteers in service by 2030. New positions are opening all over the world, and any students interested in serving should get in touch with Janelle at the University Career Center. For faculty who understand the importance of international service and experience, you can work with Janelle to incorporate information about Peace Corps into your classes.
To learn more about the Peace Corps or schedule a meeting with Janelle, visit our Peace Corps webpage.
Photo caption: Peace Corps volunteers in Eswatini, one of the smallest countries in Africa. Fourth from right is Lillie Clark, UO '22.