University will hire Peace Corps recruiter

Officials at Grand Valley will hire a campus recruiter who will recruit applicants from West Michigan colleges and universities for the Peace Corps.

The new position is possible after Grand Valley signed a five-year agreement with Peace Corps officials in the Midwest regional office in Chicago. The campus recruiter will be a returned Peace Corps volunteer and be considered a Grand Valley staff member but work in consultation with the Midwest Peace Corps office.

Mark Schaub, chief international officer, said Grand Valley's campus recruiter (a part-time position) is the third such position at a Michigan university.

"Their role would be to provide advice and support for students considering a two-year service role for their country and world," Schaub said. "A Peace Corps appointment, in turn, helps the student launch their career and provides valuable experience in other cultures, in community engagement and language skills."

Since the 1961 founding of the Peace Corps, more than 230 Peace Corps volunteers have been Grand Valley alumni.

Jessica Mayle, Peace Corps spokesperson, said campus recruiters are integral to the Peace Corps' efforts to attract the next generation of volunteers.

"Just as they were integrated into their Peace Corps community as volunteers, these recruiters are now integrated into college campuses, where they can build relationships and collaborate with others to support Peace Corps’ mission of global peace and friendship," Mayle said.

Grand Valley's proximity to other colleges and universities made it an idea place to house a recruiter, Mayle said.

"Students in West Michigan are passionate about making a difference and exploring the world, and the skills they acquire the classroom make them well-suited for our assignments," she said.

The campus recruiter will work from the Padnos International Center, housed in the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. More information about the position is online at www.gvsu.edu/jobs.