Bloch Public Affairs Peace Corps Program Recognized for Community Service

Release Date: Mar 11, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2009 - Think globally, act locally. The Peace Corps is often credited for "bringing the world back home," and now four Peace Corps university partner schools, including the Bloch School at UMKC, have been recognized for outstanding dedication to national and community service in the United States.    

The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, overseen by the Corporation for National and Community Service, listed 635 colleges and universities that have shown special dedication to service, highlighting the specific achievements of six institutions. Of these top six, four partner with the Fellows/USA program or are Master's International (MI) program partners, including The UMKC Bloch School and Duke University (Fellows/USA programs), and Emory University and Michigan State University (MI programs).    

The Fellows/USA program, founded at Columbia University Teachers College in 1985, partners with universities which offer financial benefits to returned Peace Corps Volunteers who pursue advanced degrees while working in underserved communities in the United States.     

“Returning Peace Corps volunteers can apply to become a fellow in the Department of Public Affairs at the Bloch School,” explains David Renz, Beth K. Smith/Missouri Chair in Nonprofit Leadership and chair of the Department of Public Affairs. “Fellows receive tuition remission, a yearly stipend over three semesters, and an educational stipend for books and materials. In addition, they are connected to local agency partners, gaining strong knowledge and skills about local community building through urban development, nonprofit administration and health administration.”    

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Peace Corps Fellows USA program at the Bloch School Department of Public Affairs.

The Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) is Kansas City’s only institution fully-accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). The Bloch School is home to nationally renowned faculty and research centers as well as cutting-edge curricula in entrepreneurship, financial services, leadership, accounting and public administration. The Bloch School offers degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, Executive MBA, and PhD levels.