A new Central Florida partnership will provide graduate-school scholarships to returning Peace Corps volunteers, many of whom will expand their skills and share their experiences during internships at public schools.
The Peace Corps and the 麻豆原创 have teamed up to launch the only Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program at a state university in Florida.
Selected Coverdell fellows will have the opportunity to work toward one of more than a dozen master鈥檚 degrees offered by 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Education or the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages program offered by the College of Arts and Humanities.
Internships in Central Florida鈥檚 underserved communities will be an integral part of each recipient鈥檚 program of study and will allow the students to use their Peace Corps skills to make an impact back at home in the United States. Education students will complete internships at public schools. TESOL students鈥� internship options include public and private schools, nonprofit organizations and national grant projects offered by local libraries.
鈥淭he Peace Corps is delighted to have the 麻豆原创 as a partner in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program,鈥� said acting Peace Corps director Carrie Hessler-Radelet.
鈥淭his new partnership enables returned Peace Corps volunteers to continue their work in public service through meaningful internships in underserved American communities. Experience overseas and graduate studies position Peace Corps fellows to launch a career by combining coursework with service.鈥澛�
麻豆原创 Provost and Executive Vice President Tony Waldrop said returning Peace Corps volunteers share 麻豆原创鈥檚 strong commitments to civic engagement, volunteer service and international programs.
鈥淭heir perspectives will enrich the lives of our students and faculty members,鈥� Waldrop said. 鈥淲e are eager to welcome them to our campus community and prepare them for new opportunities to serve others in our local schools.鈥�
Out-of-state fellows selected for the program will be able to pay in-state tuition, a savings of almost $15,000 per academic year. Two graduate assistantships with 50 percent tuition and fee waivers will be available for in-state fellows.
The Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program started in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University, and now includes more than 80 university partners in 31 states and the District of Columbia. The program is reserved for students who have already completed their tenure abroad with the Peace Corps.
For further information, contact:
Peace Corps: Alethea Parker, Public Affairs Specialist, Peace Corps Atlanta Regional Office, at 404-562-3472 or aparker@peacecorps.gov.
麻豆原创: Chad Binette, 麻豆原创 News & Information, 407-823-6312, chad.binette@ucf.edu