UNC ranks 10th among universities in yielding Peace Corps members. There are 50 UNC alumni volunteering around the world for the Peace Corps.
UCS officials were approached about housing a recruitment office last spring, said Jacquelyn Gist, a UCS counselor who works with nonprofit social service groups.
No other organization runs its recruiting within UCS, but Gist said she thinks the Peace Corps involvement is appropriate. "It's not usual, but with the Peace Corps situation I can see why it works," said Gist, who said about two to three students a week show interest in the group.
The Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by President Kennedy to supply developing countries with support and expertise.
Two UNC graduate students, both former Peace Corps volunteers, spend 10 hours a week each running the recruiting office, she said.
Both recruiters, Erin Zuiker and Badi Bradley, served in Peace Corps from 1997-99. "It's going well -- we've had a steady stream of people coming in," said Zuiker, who is studying public health.
She said that because of students' prior response to Peace Corps, the move on campus was fitting. "It definitely gives the Peace Corps eyes, ears, feet and hands on our campus," she said.
UNC's office is one of four that handle a region of five states and Washington, D.C. Zuiker said that the Peace Corps only puts recruiting offices where large numbers of volunteers exist.
After prospective volunteers' applications have been reviewed at the Washington, D.C., office, they are sent to local recruiting offices for interviews. This serves as the only interview applicants have in the process that takes from six months to a year.
