Jessica Vandivort de Montiel, Senior Recruiter for the Peace Corps for Western Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, will visit campus Sept. 26-29.
Since 1961, the Peace Corps has sent American volunteers to communities abroad, to work side by side with local leaders in education, health, environment, agriculture, community economic development, and youth development.
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, the Peace Corps suspended global operations and evacuated nearly 7,000 volunteers from more than 60 countries. The agency is now returning volunteers to service on a rolling basis. As of mid-September, it has more than 500 volunteers serving in 29 countries. Altogether, Peace Corps has 53 countries where it is looking to fill volunteers for this year.
Jessica’s visit marks her first recruiting stop in Nebraska since the pandemic began. As a Youth Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, Jessica partnered with local Education and Health Ministries to develop rural youth development programs, empowering youth to lead healthy lives and to commit to positive roles in their communities. She is thrilled to support the agency from America’s Heartland. “I truly believe Midwesterners make great Peace Corps Volunteers; we listen, value family and community, and we make time to engage and support our neighbors. Communities overseas would likely see kindred spirits in Peace Corps Volunteers from here.”
The Peace Corps is open to all U.S. citizens 18 and older who are curious about the world and committed to helping others. As Jessica relayed, “There is high demand for math and science teachers, people with Spanish or French language skills, and in the agriculture sector. However, it most certainly doesn’t stop there. We need volunteers who can bond with overseas communities and collaborate with them on locally-prioritized projects. Our goal right now is the get the message out so that those who want to serve know about this tremendous opportunity, one that has been relaunched after a COVID-19 imposed two-year gap.”
In September 2021, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln launched its Peace Corps Prep Program, which helps undergraduate students prepare for potential Peace Corps service through coursework, hands-on experience, and professional development. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate from the Peace Corps, and have a competitive edge when applying to Peace Corps.
Jessica will be available at the following events:
Sept. 26
4 to 6 p.m. — Info Table: Peace Corps at Knoll Residential Center
Sept. 27
1 to 3 p.m. — Info Table: Peace Corps at the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center
6 to 7 p.m. — Global Café: Applying for Peace Corps Application Workshop, Nebraska Union, Regency A
Sept. 28
12 to 4 p.m. — Peace Corps table, East Campus Career Fair, Nebraska East Union
Sept. 29
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Coffee Chat, Oldfather Hall, The Academic Grind
More details at: https://www.peacecorps.gov/