The Evergreen State College Among Peace Corps’ 2017 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges & Universities

The Evergreen State College has another reason to celebrate success. The Peace Corps announced on February 28, 2017 that Evergreen ranked No. 7 among small schools on the agency’s 2017 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list. There are 11 Evergreen alumni currently volunteering worldwide.

“Our graduates are prepared to lead their communities, professions, and the larger world,” affirms Evergreen President George Bridges. “Volunteering with the Peace Corps, and making a real-world difference, demonstrates how a distinctive education in the liberal arts is marked by extraordinary success.”

Since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, 244 Geoducks have traveled abroad to serve as volunteers. The college has consistently ranked in the top 20 for small schools, and 2017 marks the second consecutive year in the top ten. The university is among six Wash. schools on the top colleges list.

Samantha Ezgar, a 2012 Evergreen graduate, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia from 2013 to 2015. Ezgar encourages Evergreen students to consider Peace Corps service after graduation.

“You will get more out of Peace Corps than you can possible imagine,” Ezgar said. “You will help others and change lives, but you will never forget the way that individuals will change your life as well.”

Evergreen has a strong relationship with the Peace Corps, with representatives from the organization present at Evergreen’s annual Community Opportunities & Internship Fair.

Peace Corps volunteers who wish to continue graduate studies at Evergreen are eligible for an application fee waiver.