New Hampshire Ranks Nationally Among Peace Corps’ Top Volunteer-Producing States in 2013

No. 3 Granite State moves up in the rankings of states with the most volunteers per capita

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 11, 2013 – The Peace Corps today released the 2013 rankings of the top volunteer-producing states and metropolitan areas across the country and New Hampshire ranked nationally among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita.  Seventy-two (72) currently-serving Peace Corps volunteers call the Granite State home, making it the No. 3 Peace Corps volunteer-producing state in the nation on a per-capita basis, with 5.5 of every 100,000 residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. This ranking marks an increase for New Hampshire, which ranked No. 4 in 2012. 

“Americans from all across our great country and all walks of life are drawn to the Peace Corps by a spirit of service and a passion for helping others,” Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “No matter where they start their journey, through their experience Peace Corps volunteers show the world the compassion, tolerance and dedication to service that has always characterized the American people.”

Mary Ann Harty of Barrington, a University of New Hampshire graduate who began serving as a business education and community development volunteer in Armenia at the age of 60, has extended her service twice.

“It was challenging to learn a new language at 60 and to live in a post-Soviet society,” Harty explained.  “I was assigned to a youth group and worked with some very talented young women, mentoring and guiding them into taking on leadership roles.”

Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, 1,662 Peace Corps volunteers from New Hampshire have traveled abroad to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.

In addition, two New Hampshire schools are nationally ranked on the 2013 lists of top Peace Corps volunteer-producing colleges and universities. The University of New Hampshire in Durham (UNH) ranks No. 12 nationwide among medium-size schools, while Dartmouth College in Hanover is No. 23 on the agency’s list of small schools. The annual list recognizes the highest volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the U.S. for small, medium, large and graduate institutions.

Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining, hands-on leadership experience that offers volunteers the opportunity to travel to the farthest corners of the world and make a lasting difference in the lives of others. Volunteers live and work at the community level to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world and promote a better understanding between Americans and the people they serve. When they return home, volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences – and a global outlook – that give them a competitive edge for job opportunities in today’s global economy and enrich the lives of those around them.

The Peace Corps has eight regional recruitment offices across the United States that work closely with prospective Peace Corps volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to ensure that all Americans who want to serve have the opportunity to do so. The Northeast regional recruitment office serves Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont and Peace Corps recruiters are based locally throughout the region. Find the regional recruitment office near you by visiting the Peace Corps website here.

To see the complete 2013 rankings of Peace Corps’ top states and metro areas, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/media/forpress/press/2308/.

To view a list of volunteer numbers from all 50 states, click here.

A list of the 2012 Top States and Metropolitan Areas can be found here.

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 home, volunteers bring their knowledge and experiences – and a global outlook – back to the United States 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. Visit www.peacecorps.gov to learn more.

*Peace Corps data current as of September 30, 2013. The metropolitan area data used to determine Peace Corps’ rankings are derived from the most current U.S. Census Bureau “Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area” data. Volunteers self-report their home city and state on their Peace Corps application.