Peace Corps ranks Rice among top 20

The Peace Corps ranked Rice University among the top 20 volunteer-producing colleges and universities for 2014 in the small-school category.

With 12 alumni currently volunteering in the Peace Corps worldwide, Rice is one of seven schools with fewer than 5,000 undergraduates that are tied for No. 14 in the rankings. Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., is ranked No. 1; it has 22 undergraduate alumni volunteers.

Established in 1961 with an executive order from President John F. Kennedy, the Peace Corps sends Americans abroad to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Over the years, 232 Rice alumni have traveled abroad to serve as volunteers.

According to the Peace Corps, service in the organization 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. When they return home, volunteers bring knowledge and experiences that give them a competitive edge for the 21st-century jobs and advanced educational opportunities. They give back to their own communities and enrich the lives of those around them, helping to strengthen internal ties and increase our country’s global competitiveness.”

For the complete rankings of the Peace Corps’ top volunteer-producing colleges and universities for 2014, click here.