Cal State San Bernardino has been named by the Peace Corps to be among the top volunteer-producing Hispanic-Serving Institutions nationwide.
According to the rankings, CSUSB was tied with Fresno State and New Mexico State, each with seven alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps. Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, 66 Coyotes have traveled abroad to serve as volunteers.
CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales said the Peace Corps rankings recognize the university’s commitment and dedication to service.
“Our student’s service and volunteerism is more than just a passion for our university, it is part of our DNA,” Morales said. “CSUSB has a strong sense of commitment to volunteerism and service learning that goes far beyond the CSUSB campus. In fact, last year CSUSB students provided more than 83,000 hours of volunteer service to a number of local nonprofit agencies, various schools and community organizations.”
The Peace Corp ranking also shows that California is home to 10 of the top HSIs in this year’s rankings, which includes of six other CSU campuses: San Diego, Humboldt, Sacramento, Long Beach, Fullerton and Northridge; and two University of California campuses – Riverside and Santa Cruz.
The state produces more Peace Corps volunteers than any other state nationwide. More than 29,899 California residents have served overseas as Peace Corps volunteers and 915 residents are currently serving.
“Graduates of Hispanic-Serving Institutions come to Peace Corps with a strong educational background and the flexibility and curiosity needed to make an impact in communities around the world,” Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “Volunteers with different talents, viewpoints, experiences and backgrounds demonstrate to people across all corners of the world what it means to be an American.”
College graduates with Peace Corps volunteer experience gain cross-cultural, leadership, language and community development skills that give them a competitive edge for 21st century jobs and advanced educational opportunities. They develop a global perspective that enriches the lives of those around them and helps to strengthen international ties and increase our country’s global competitiveness.
In recent years, Peace Corps has expanded its reach to attract the best and brightest the U.S. has to offer, and fields a volunteer force that reflects the rich diversity of the American people. In 2015, the agency saw a 40-year high in application numbers, reinforcing the Peace Corps’ role as a dynamic, forward-leaning champion for international service more than half a century after its creation.
The Peace Corps has eight regional recruitment offices across the country that work closely with prospective volunteers. In addition to hiring dedicated diversity recruiters and hosting diversity focused recruitment events, the Peace Corps is partnering with diverse institutions like CSUSB, so Americans of all backgrounds know about service opportunities with the Peace Corps. Find a recruiter near you by visiting the Peace Corps website here.
About the Peace Corps: The Peace Corps sends the best and brightest Americans abroad on behalf of the United States to address the most pressing needs of people around the world. Volunteers work with their community members at the grassroots level to develop sustainable solutions to challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their service, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today’s global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 220,000 Americans of all ages have served in 141 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.peacecorps.gov and follow it on Facebook and Twitter.
About California State University San Bernardino: Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, Cal State San Bernardino is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015-2016, CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually. For more information on Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu. Follow CSUSB on Facebook and Twitter.