UTSA ranks in Peace Corps Top 10 Hispanic-Serving Institutions for volunteers

UTSA alumnus

Peace Corps volunteer and UTSA alumnus Dana Messinger teaches young students at a school in Colombia.

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(April 18, 2014) --The Peace Corps has released the 2014 rankings of the nation's top volunteer-producing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). This year, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) ranks among the top 10 with nine alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps. Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, 77 alumni from UTSA have traveled abroad to serve as volunteers.

"I applaud these Hispanic-Serving Institutions for promoting the value of service in their students and encouraging them to promote the rich diversity of the American people," said Carrie Hessler-Radelet, Peace Corps acting director. "We want every American to know about the Peace Corps, so we are stepping up our outreach in under-represented communities so our volunteer force represents the beautiful multicultural nation that we are."

The nine alumni are serving in seven countries around the world. The Peace Corps Southwest Region is home to three of the top 10 HSIs in this year's rankings.

The 2014 Top Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Peace Corps volunteers are:

1. San Diego State University (33 volunteers currently serving)
2. California State University, Long Beach (31 volunteers currently serving)
3. University of New Mexico (26 volunteers currently serving)
4. University of California, Riverside (24 volunteers currently serving)
5. California State University, Northridge (15 volunteers currently serving)
6. California State University, Fullerton (14 volunteers currently serving)
7. Texas State University (12 volunteers currently serving)
8. Florida International University (11 volunteers currently serving)
9. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (9 volunteers currently serving)
9. California State University, Los Angeles (9 volunteers currently serving)

9. University of Texas at San Antonio (9 volunteers currently serving)

The rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2013 data as of Sept. 30, 2013, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers. College graduates who have served with the Peace Corps gain hands-on experience and return home with cross-cultural, leadership, community development and language skills that help strengthen international ties and increase our country's global competitivenes.

>> Learn more about volunteering at the  Peace Corps website for the Dallas regional office. For more information, contact LaShonda Walker at 214-253-5418.

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About the Peace Corps

As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Peace Corps volunteers work at the grassroots level with local governments, schools, communities, small businesses and entrepreneurs to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development.

When they return to the United States, volunteers bring back their knowledge and experiences -- and a global outlook that enriches the lives of those around them. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 to foster a better understanding among Americans and people of other countries. Since then, more than 215,000 Americans of all ages have served in 139 countries worldwide.

 

 

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UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.