About the Peace Corps at Cornell

The long-standing partnership between the Peace Corps and Cornell allows recent graduates who want to make a difference in the world volunteer for public service in over 70 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East.

The partnership between the Peace Corps and Cornell started in 1961 when the agency was first conceived by President John F. Kennedy as an opportunity for Americans to promote peace by volunteering their time, energy and expertise in developing countries.

The mission of the Peace Corps is to help people of interested countries meet the need for trained men and women, help people from host countries have a better understanding of people from the U.S., and help people from the U.S. have a better understanding of other peoples.

Over the years, the partnership between the Peace Corps and Cornell has grown, from 1962, when 18 Cornell graduates were among the first cohort of volunteers to today, when over 40 Cornell alums are serving abroad. Cornell ranks #4 in Peace Corps recruits among medium-sized colleges and universities.

Peace Corps volunteers at Cornell are recruited through programs administered by International Programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and City & Regional Planning in the College of Architecture, Art & Planning.

Cornell's on-campus Peace Corps coordinator is available for students and community members who have questions about Peace Corps, the application process, volunteer life, and admission to available programs, including the Master's International and Coverdell Fellows programs.