The director of the Peace Corps joined Senator Patrick Leahy at the University of Vermont to announce a record number of colleges joined the Peace Corps Prep program in the past year.
Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said Tuesday that 26 colleges — including the University of Vermont — joined the program that offers students a combination of undergraduate coursework and community service.
The program prepares students for work in international development.
Vermont's St. Michael's College — Leahy's alma mater — participates in the program and made this year's Peace Corps list of top volunteer-producing universities.
Vermont is currently the top Peace Corps volunteer-producing state per capita in the country.
Hessler-Radelet said the Peace Corps Prep program is an example of the agency's growing efforts to strengthen collaborations with schools nationwide.
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