Peace Corps expands Paul D. Coverdell fellows partnership with BGSU

BOWLING GREEN, O.—Peace Corps and Bowling Green State University are expanding the degree opportunities available through the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, which provides significant graduate school scholarships to returned Peace Corps volunteers.  The expansion gives BGSU one of the largest Coverdell fellows programs in the country.

The new master’s degree offerings at BGSU will be in Business Administration, Food and Nutrition, Public Administration, and Spanish, in addition to a Ph.D. in American culture studies. BGSU’s existing Coverdell Fellows partnership is a Master of Arts in Cross-Cultural and International Education (MACIE).

“The Peace Corps is delighted to have Bowling Green State University as a partner in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program,” Acting Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “This new partnership enables returned Peace Corps volunteers to continue their work in public service through meaningful internships in underserved American communities. Experience overseas and graduate studies position Peace Corps Fellows to launch a career by combining coursework with service.”  

“In terms of BGSU I think it will be quite an honor to say I attended the university that has the one of the largest Paul D. Coverdell programs in the country.”

“All of the six Coverdell Fellows partnerships look forward to enrolling high-quality students who will bring a unique dimension to their classes,” said Dr. Margaret Zoller Booth, associate dean of the Graduate College. “Furthermore, because we will have Fellows now enrolled in various academic programs, we expect to see them collaborate in interdisciplinary endeavors both academically and in community activities. As an interdisciplinary group, participating in several colleges and departments, they will have more of an impact on the campus.”

Current MACIE student Luis Macias has already spread the word about the expansion to his friends in the Peace Corps looking at college programs. “One is interested in the Spanish program, one is interested in MACIE and one in the MBA program. I am ecstatic to get more people in the door and into these expanded programs.

“In terms of BGSU I think it will be quite an honor to say I attended the university that has the one of the largest Paul D. Coverdell programs in the country.”

“Every year our class is 50-50 between state and international students,” said Brian Childs, assistant director of graduate and executive programs in the College of Business Administration. “The Peace Corps students will bring overseas experience that will help bridge the gap that exists between the two groups.”

Meagan Hoff, a MACIE student from Colorado, hopes the addition of more students with Peace Corps experience will add to the cross-cultural experiences on campus. “We have a lot of international students on campus. Bringing in people who have lived in a different culture, it makes us as a campus more welcoming. These students will have a new perspective on different cultures and can bring that into their program of study.”

Fellows selected for the program will receive financial aid packages — most starting at approximately $14,000 per year and some reaching more than $30,000 per year. They also must complete a degree-related internship in an underserved American community.

Since its initiation as a Coverdell Fellows program in 2008, the BGSU program has graduated 20 Fellows.

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(Posted January 29, 2013 )