This content was published: February 20, 2004. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Peace Corps Week coming to PCC
Photos and story by James Hill
PORTLAND, Ore. – National Peace Corps Week is March 1-5 and PCC will be using this opportunity to raise awareness about the volunteer organization across its district. The Peace Corps and the American Association of Community Colleges recently launched an initiative to actively recruit community college students to fill critical needs in developing countries. "Community college graduates have the necessary experience and occupational and technical skills to respond to the critical needs of countries where Peace Corps volunteers serve,"said Peace Corps Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. "We are thrilled that the AACC, as well as community colleges across the nation, have shown great interest in working with the Peace Corps to increase awareness about opportunities for their students and graduates to serve as volunteers."PCC have tables at all three campuses, including the new Southeast Center, featuring videos about these experiences, literature, and contact information on how students and community members can volunteer. There will be presentations by former Peace Corps volunteers, who are employed at PCC, about their experiences abroad. Also, the United States Peace Corps Deputy Director Jody Olsen will visit and survey the activities at the college.Featured events, starting at noon each day during the week, include former volunteers’ experiences in Haiti, Zimbabwe, Yemen, Bolivia, Solomon Islands, Sierra Leone, The Philippines and Cape Verde. These events will take place in the lower and upper malls at the CC Building at the Sylvania Campus (12000 SW 49th Avenue); Student Center Building at the Cascade Campus (705 N. Killingsworth Street); Building 3 Mall at the Rock Creek Campus (17705 NW Springville Road); and the Great Hall and Tabor Hall at the Southeast Campus (2305 SE 82nd and Division Street).Among the programs Peace Corps is particularly interested in are agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry, environmental and water resources and sanitation, construction and skilled trades, computer science, health, youth development and business. Currently, 7,533 volunteers serve in 71 countries in projects related to agriculture, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and education. Since 1961, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps. Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age, and service is a two-year commitment."Peace Corps service offers community college graduates the opportunity to learn a new language, live in another culture, develop leadership skills, and put degrees and experience to work in gratifying ways that improve the lives of others,"said George R. Boggs, AACC CEO and president. "This initiative is especially timely since community colleges nationwide are expanding their international programs. The experience that community college graduates will gain through Peace Corps service will enhance their professional opportunities throughout their careers."For more information on this PCC event, contact John Sneed at 503-977-4398.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »