Peace Corps

Under the authorship of Dr. Elizabeth Gunn, Morgan State University was successful in its bid to win a federal contract to establish a Peace Corps Recruiting Office on campus. MSU is now part of the mid-Atlantic region of the Peace Corps. This includes Maryland, Virginia, D.C., West Virginia and North Carolina. Dr. Gunn will be supervising the Campus Recruiter and coordinating the Peace Corps Program at Morgan State. She is looking to grow this program at MSU, to be nationally competitive, and to eventually lead the field of HBCU's in producing quality Peace Corps Volunteers.

What Is The Peace Corps?

Peace Corps is in its 46 year as a federal program and has sent over 210,000 Americans to 139 countries since its inception in 1961 under JFK.  Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.

The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

How Can Morgan Students Participate?

MSU students will work the Peace Corps Campus Recruiter to align their academic career at Morgan with the best fit in the field (site location around the world).  The students are likely to go where their skills are most needed.  There are many opportunities in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa, but really all over the globe.   

Volunteers are also eligible to earn credits toward graduate school while in service. Other benefits of service include paid living and housing expenses, scholarships for higher education, opportunities for career advancement, and a readjustment allowance upon completion of two years of service.  

• Interested Morganites should email: peacecorps@morgan.edu.
• Students may also contact Dr. Gunn:  elizabeth.gunn@morgan.edu.
• Students may consult the Peace Corps website for more information: www.peacecorps.gov

What is the History of HBCU's and the Peace Corps?

Only a handful of Morganites have ever served as Peace Corps Volunteers over the years, and our aim is to make this option known and available to the Morgan community.

Words from the Peace Corps:  "The top three HBCU producers of Volunteers serving since Peace Corps inception are Howard University with 170, Morehouse College with 72 Volunteers, and Texas Southern University with 71 Volunteers. Since 1961, a total of 1,794 HBCU graduates have served as Peace Corps Volunteers. Their scope of work varies from education, business, and health to environment, agriculture, and urban development projects.  Peace Corps Director Tschetter said, 'Historically Black Colleges and Universities continue to provide the Peace Corps with a capable and diverse group of Volunteer candidates. They represent the best of America as they apply their education and skills as Volunteers around the globe'."

Some other noteworthy facts

22% of volunteers are minority.  

Here is the breakdown of placement for all volunteers:

• Africa: 43%
• Latin America: 21%
• Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 15%
• Asia: 10%
• The Caribbean: 4%
• North Africa/Middle East: 4%
• Pacific Islands: 3%

Here is the breakdown of fields of interest/expertise for all volunteers:

• Education: 43%
• Health: 21%
• Community Economic Development: 12%
• Environment: 12%
• Youth in Development: 6%
• Agriculture: 4%