Howard holds on to the No. 1 spot while Atlanta-area HBCUs make a dominant showing this year.
The Peace Corps announced that for the fifth consecutive year Howard University holds the top spot on the agency’s 2016 list of Top Volunteer-Producing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Atlanta-area HBCUs are prominent on the list with Spelman College nabbing the No. 2 spot and Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse University tying for fourth place. Florida A&M University appears on the list for the first time ever, debuting at No. 3.
Since 1961, 211 alumni of Atlanta HBCUs have served as Peace Corps volunteers. In recognition of Atlanta-area schools’ prominence on the agency’s top HBCU list, Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet joined former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Domestic Outreach at the State Department Karen Richardson, Director of Morehouse College’s Andrew Young Center for Global Leadership Julius E. Coles at an announcement event at Morehouse University. The panel discussion following the announcement highlighted the importance of diversity in international service and how Peace Corps is taking a leadership role in uplifting communities of color abroad.
“Peace Corps service is an opportunity for those who want to immerse themselves in another culture while working to make the world a better place,” Director Hessler-Radelet said. “HBCUs foster a culture of learning that emphasizes the value of community and serving others and that foundation is what helps HBCU alumni thrive in the Peace Corps.”
For the third year in a row, Howard University has appeared on both Peace Corps’ HBCU list as well as the agency’s national list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities, ranking No. 14 among medium-sized schools.
Peace Corps’ 2016 top volunteer-producing Historically Black Colleges and Universities are:
1. Howard University (16 currently serving volunteers)
2. Spelman College (7 currently serving volunteers)
3. Florida A&M University (5 currently serving volunteers)
4. Clark Atlanta University (4 currently serving volunteers)
4. Morehouse College (4 currently serving volunteers)
*Rankings are calculated based on fiscal year 2015 data as of September 30, 2015, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.
