Peace Corps Announces Certificate Program At William Paterson University

WAYNE, NJ — A new program at William Paterson University will prepare students for volunteer work in the Peace Corps or for similar field work making a difference, the university said.

The Peace Corps approached university leadership last year about a possible collaboration, given the university’s commitment to developing civically-minded students and its diverse campus population.

“Preparing students from diverse backgrounds for Peace Corps service ensures that future cohorts of volunteers will best represent the diversity of America,” the university said in a news release.

William Paterson University has sent 66 alumni to the program since it was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the university said. Several faculty members have also served, including professors William Kernan and Madhuri Mukherjee who shared their experiences with the campus community.

Donna Minnich Spuhler, who is director of campus activities, service, and leadership at William Paterson, said this program is a great opportunity for students to develop knowledge and real-world skills that will better the world around them.

“Civic engagement is a core value at William Paterson University,” she said. “We are honored to be selected as a partner in this prestigious program, which will be a great asset to our already extensive commitment to creating civically engaged citizens.”

The Peace Corps Prep certificate program will combine coursework with community service experience and is structured to develop students’ skills in four core competencies that are important in intercultural fieldwork. These are foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence, professional and leadership development, and sector-specific skills in one of Peace Corps’ six sectors (education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development, or community economic development).

“These skills will not only give students a competitive edge when applying for Peace Corps service, but they can also be built upon and marketed throughout their careers,” the university said in a news release.

WPU is one of nine institutions adding Peace Corps Prep programs to their course catalog this year; the Peace Corps has partnerships with more than 125 leading academic institutions for this program, which began in 2007, the university said.

“Students today are passionate about working with communities abroad to solve important challenges,” Peace Corps Director of the Office of University Programs La’Teashia Sykes said. “Through the Peace Corps Prep program at William Paterson University, students can develop skills specifically targeted to Peace Corps service and careers in the international development and service communities.”

To learn more about the Peace Corps Prep program at William Paterson University, contact Mary Alice Barrows, Director, Career Development Center, at barrowsm@wpunj.edu or Donna Minnich Spuhler, Director, Campus Activities, Service and Leadership, at minnichspuhlerd@wpunj.edu.