In recognition of New York University’s longstanding partnership with the Peace Corps and in honor of the more than 700 NYU alumni who have served as Peace Corps volunteers, Peace Corps Deputy Director Judy Olsen presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Trudy Steinfeld, director of the University’s Office of Career Services (OCS) at a Peace Corps Alumni Panel hosted by OCS and the Peace Corps New York Regional Office.

The event, which took place on March 21, highlighted the experiences of NYU graduates in the Peace Corps and was attended by approximately 75 current students as well as representatives from the New York Regional Office. Moderated by Patrick Sommerville (WAGNER ’01), who served in Mongolia from 1996 to 1998, the panel comprised Mel Glenn (WSC ’64), who served in Sierra Leone from 1964 to 1966; Lynette McRae (ED ’67), who was a volunteer in Nigeria from 1967 to 1969; Maria LaHuffman (STERN ’88), who served in Mali from 1991 to 1993; Daniel Migden (CAS ’95), who volunteered in Estonia from 1999 to 2001; and Jennifer Samuel (CAS ’98), who served in Dominica from 1999 to 2001.

The former Peace Corps volunteers shared their experiences and also spoke about what they considered to be the greatest personal and professional benefits of working and living overseas as part of the prestigious organization.

“NYU students are some of the brightest and most community service oriented young men and women in the nation, assets that, in addition to their commitment to important global issues, make them highly attractive to the Peace Corps,” said Steinfeld. “For the students, volunteering with the Peace Corps is a natural extension of their desire to make the world a better place. It also offers unmatchable first-hand experience for those considering careers in public policy and international affairs—areas that have traditionally been of interest to NYU students. For students in any field, the skills that they gain as Peace Corps volunteers prepare them to meet a variety of challenges which, particularly in our rapidly changing times, employers greatly value.”

This year, 35 graduates are serving, placing NYU 21st on a list of 500 large four-year colleges and universities nationwide whose alumni are Peace Corps volunteers. NYU’s ongoing relationship with the Peace Corps is also evidence of its role as the largest private university in the public service.