Knox Revamps, Modernizes Peace Corps Prep Program

Knox College, the first college in the country to have an official Peace Corps Preparatory Program, is revamping and relaunching the program to address some changes in the Peace Corps.

Nearly 100% of those who have gone through the Knox Peace Corps Preparatory Program have been accepted by the organization. In order for Knox to continue being a top volunteer-producing college (we're ranked #10 among small colleges and universities), the program has adapted to address changes to the Peace Corps application process. These changes include applicants now being able to apply to work in a specific part of the world and in one of six sectors. Before, a prospective volunteer would not know where they would be placed if their application was accepted. These changes have resulted in the highest number of applicants to the Peace Corps in 22 years.

Knox's program has been revamped in response to feedback from returning alumni and to offer coursework and hands on experience fulfilling the requirements in all six sectors: education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development, and community economic development. Training students in all six sectors is rare among institutions of Knox's size.

Additionally, in an effort to give students a full four years to prepare, first-year students can now join the preparatory program.

"Students in the prep program make more competitive applicants because they take their selected coursework with future service in mind, so lessons learned can seem immediately applicable," said Robin Ragan, director of the Peace Corps Preparatory Program. "Through the program, they also have access to more knowledge about the Peace Corps, the application process, and how to present their skillsets."

More than 180 Knox College alumni have served in the Peace Corps, including those who are currently serving. 

Read more about the  Peace Corps Preparatory Program. 

Top of page, Katie Walker '11 served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Panama; below, Elyse Callahan '10 served in Morocco-Mali and Celestina Agyekum '12 served in Burkina Faso.