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ISSUED: 30 July 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle

SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — ���ϳԹ���University has been officially designated a Peace Corps Prep institution, making it one of only two universities in the state to achieve the prestigious honor and become part of a national network of colleges and universities committed to preparing the next generation of global changemakers.

Participants in the program will choose from one of six sectors—education, health, environment, agriculture, youth in development, or community economic development—and complete a combination of targeted coursework, leadership training, foreign language study, and volunteer or work experience.

Students will also engage in meaningful community service in the Eastern Panhandle and surrounding areas through initiatives such as tutoring, mentoring, sustainability efforts, and other local partnerships.

Dr. Amy DeWitt, associate dean of student academic enrichment and a returned Peace Corps volunteer (RPCV), led the effort to bring the program to Shepherd.

She will serve as the University’s Peace Corps Prep coordinator, offering guidance and mentorship to students enrolled in the program.

“In today’s global society, intercultural competence is not just valuable—it’s essential,” DeWitt said. “The ability to understand and collaborate across cultures is vital in every field, from healthcare and education to business and social work. My Peace Corps service in Poland was truly transformative. I’m thrilled that ���ϳԹ���has been accepted as a site for the Peace Corps Prep Program. The program fosters global awareness and adaptability that will benefit our students and their communities.”

The Peace Corps Prep Program supports Shepherd’s mission of service and global citizenship while giving students a competitive edge in the job market. It is a certificate initiative designed to equip undergraduate students with sector-specific skills, intercultural competence, and leadership experience essential for success in international service and the global workforce.

Whether or not students ultimately serve in the Peace Corps, they will graduate with a nationally recognized certificate and critical skills valued by employers and graduate schools—problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, and cultural sensitivity.

Dr. Carrie Messenger, professor of English and RPCV, said the experience is incredible.

“Having the opportunity to learn about another culture from inside of it was invaluable to me, and my experience in Moldova is a constant part of my teaching and writing. I’m looking forward to ���ϳԹ���students having this opportunity.”

Dr. Brooke Comer, professor of sustainable agriculture and RPCV, also emphasized the impact of service.

“Serving in the Peace Corps provides amazing job experience to launch a new ���ϳԹ���graduate into the workforce after their service, with a community of returned Peace Corps volunteers as contacts and so many things to draw upon for their future careers. While serving in Jamaica, I had so many opportunities to help others and to improve upon my own skills. It is challenging and incredibly rewarding work, no matter what sector a volunteer might be in, which for me was the environment sector.”

Many ���ϳԹ���University alumni describe their Peace Corps service as a life-changing experience.

Michael Bailey, a 2012 graduate and RPCV in Senegal, said he is excited to see ���ϳԹ���earning the designation.

“I’m thrilled that ���ϳԹ���University is joining the Peace Corps Prep family,” Bailey said. “My time at ���ϳԹ���provided me the tools and experiences that led me to serve my community in Senegal with humility and gratitude.”

Cara Schildtknecht, a 2011 graduate and RPCV in Ghana, said ���ϳԹ���is the perfect fit for the Peace Corps Prep Program.

��“When I look back on the time I spent at ���ϳԹ���and the following years in the Peace Corps, I’m often humbled by the invaluable experience I gained during those years,” she said. “Both played such an essential role in my personal and professional development. I’m thrilled to hear the next generation of Rams will have the opportunity to expand their worldview and embrace global citizenship in the same way I did.”

Lilli Bing, a 2010 graduate and RPCV in Azerbaijan, said serving in the Peace Corps set her on the path to become an educator.

“It was my time at ���ϳԹ���that paved the way for that incredible journey; the years I spent in Shepherdstown helped foster both my global curiosity and a dedication to service that has stayed with me to this day,” Bing said. “Both at ���ϳԹ���and as a Peace Corps volunteer, I learned to not only look at the world and other cultures with an open mind, but also to look critically at how I understand my own country, culture, and community.”

For more information about the Peace Corps Prep Program at ���ϳԹ���University, contact Dr. Amy DeWitt at adewitt@shepherd.edu or visit shepherd.edu/peace-corps-prep-at-shepherd-university.

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