The Peace Corps has announced the University of Redlands ranks No. 7 among the agency’s 2020 list of its top volunteer-producing small colleges and universities. This is the third year in a row that the University has been among the agency’s top-10 list of small schools, and this year Redlands was the only California school to rank in the category. Twelve Bulldogs are currently volunteering in countries around the world.
Since the agency’s founding in 1961, more than 290 alumni from University of Redlands have served abroad as Peace Corps volunteers. In 2019 California ranked No. 1 among states with the highest number of volunteers.
“The University of Redlands embraces a culture of service for undergraduates, so the fact that students carry on after graduation with the Peace Corps is a natural partnership,” said Tony Mueller, director of community service learning at the U of R. “We’ve had a strong connection to the Peace Corps for many years, including two national directors, but the idea that service here or abroad is a natural step after graduation speaks highly to the character of our graduates.’
Cassidy Cramton ’17, who is currently serving in Ukraine, says: “The experiences I gained as a business administration major and political science minor at the University of Redlands prepared me for my service in the Peace Corps through the coursework and real-world experiences that I had as a student in both of those programs. University of Redlands significantly contributed to my passion for service, ability to solve complicated problems, and willingness to think outside the box—all skills that I now share with my local community in Western Ukraine.”
The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body.
“These schools are institutions that emphasize being global citizens and service-minded students,” said Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen. “I am excited to know the graduates coming from Peace Corps’ Top Colleges are using their skills to make a positive impact on their communities at home and abroad.”
See the Peace Corps’ 2020 rankings of the top 25 schools in each category, or learn more about Community Service Learning and global opportunities at the University of Redlands.
