Another year, another No. 1 ranking for the UW.

For the fourth year in a row, the UW leads the pack among universities providing Peace Corps volunteers.

Historically, the UW measures as the third-highest supplier of volunteers of all time. This year, the school holds the No. 1 spot again, with the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of California Berkeley following close behind.

“This is fantastic news, and we appreciate the support,” said Melanie Forthun, Peace Corps public affairs specialist for Seattle.

But the outstanding achievement isn’t just the ranking. Forthun said the standing not only reflects the number of volunteers from the UW last year but represents the high caliber of UW students who tend to be globally minded.

“When a student applies to volunteer, there are a number of reasons behind why, but the unique desire to serve in a cross-cultural experience is consistent for everyone,” Forthun said. “Students are very active in international communities, much like their own, and inclined to help others where it is needed.”

The Peace Corps was officially established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy and Robert Sargent Shriver Jr., a politician and activist.

After a period of training, volunteers travel abroad to one of the 76 countries that participates, for a term of 27 months. Depending on the need of the host country, services offered range from education and HIV and AIDS awareness to business development and environmental work.

There are currently 101 undergraduate alumni (students who have gained a B.A. but not a master’s degree from the UW) serving as Peace Corps volunteers, and there have been an estimated 2,614 UW alumni volunteers since 1961, Forthun said.

Erin Larsen-Cooper, UW Peace Corps representative and UW graduate student, served in Uganda from 2006–08. She recommends it to anyone who thinks they are interested in international service.

“My time in Uganda was fun, exciting, eye-opening, and sometimes it was sad and frustrating,” Larsen-Cooper said. “Overall, it was a transforming experience.”

In addition to gaining volunteer experience, students have the option to enroll in the Peace Corps master’s program, called Master’s International. The program combines one year of graduate school with the two-year volunteering commitment.

“The Peace Corps is a launching pad for multiple careers,” Forthun said. “Not only do you return with skills that prepare you for the workplace, you return with intangible skills like working on a team, working with diverse people and problem-solving … It’s a big commitment, so the ability to stick through it, and patience, are important, and above all, resourcefulness is huge.”

Reach contributing writer Tiffany Shedrick at development@dailyuw.com.