Claire Gillespie has earned a certificate from the Peace Corps for completing Nebraska’s Peace Corps Prep program this fall. She and two other University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been invited to serve in the Peace Corps after graduation.
Gillespie, of Papillion, graduated Dec. 16 with a bachelor’s degree in plant and landscape systems, and minors in international agriculture and natural resources, and specialty crop production. Gillespie is advised by Anne Streich, professor of practice in agronomy and horticulture.
“We are thrilled that Carolina, Claire and Katie were all accepted to serve in the Peace Corps,” said program coordinator Rebecca Baskerville, who was a Peace Corps volunteer in Morocco from 2008 to 2010. “They have gained an impressive range of knowledge, skills and experiences that set them up to make a meaningful impact. Through the culminating course led by Dr. Emira Ibrahimpasic, the students had the time and space to explore ethical considerations in international development and confirm that Peace Corps is the right next step for them.”
Nebraska’s Peace Corps Prep program combines coursework, hands-on experience and professional development to prepare undergraduates for international development fieldwork and potential Peace Corps service by building four competencies: sector-specific skills (in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health or youth in development), foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence, and professional savvy and leadership. Participants take intercultural assessments, receive a study abroad scholarship, engage with peers and local mentors, and take a zero-credit culminating course.
The Global Experiences Office administers the Peace Corps Prep program in partnership with the School of Global Integrative Studies. The program is open to undergraduate students from all colleges. To learn more, click here or contact Rebecca Baskerville at rlbaskerville@unl.edu.
Read the full story by Rebecca Baskerville from the Peace Corps Prep program at Nebraska Today.
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/7uo6