Peace Corps director visits

The director of the Peace Corps met with President Thomas J. Haas and other university leaders to discuss ways to enhance opportunities for Grand Valley students and graduates interested in Peace Corps.

Carrie Hessler-Radelet was in West Michigan February 6 to give a presentation at Calvin College’s Faith and International Development Conference.

Hessler-Radelet said recent changes in recruitment have dramatically increased the number of applications from people interesting in volunteering. Changes include streamlining the application process and offering prospective volunteers choices in where they want to serve. She said a typical year yields about 10,000 applications; this year, Peace Corps is on track to receive 30,000 applications.

Since the 1961 founding of the Peace Corps, 233 corps volunteers have been Grand Valley alumni.