CU students answer administrators call for civic engagement

CU attracted national attention last week after being ranked number one in the country for graduates serving in the Peace Corp. With 117 alumni currently serving abroad, CU moved into the top spot after spending two years at number two.

The recent ranking highlights the universities push for community involvement and civic engagement. Over 13,000 CU students participate in some sort of community service, not including the 2,269 total CU graduates who have served in the Peace Corps. These numbers show a trend that may be related to the type of student drawn to CU.

Cynden Amrose, a CU senior said there is a specific personality type "The personality type might be a little nutty." she said.

According to Peter Simons, director of CU-Boulder's Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement, students prone to attend CU are also prone to make decisions like joining the Peace Corp.

"We have traditionally attracted students who have a desire to be engaged in communities locally and overseas," Simons said. "The combination of these students and our emphasis on civic engagement really fosters an environment where a good number of our graduates join the Peace Corps every year."

Students share certain qualities, ideas and values which benefit the community and the world. "I really like to travel and enjoy a good challenge," said Amrose.

Amrose leaves on her Peace Corp assignment to Africa this summer.

Volunteer service, such as the Peace Corp, has certain benefits for a CU student. Beyond personal satisfaction, the Peace Corp offers a masters degree program, as well as compensation for time served abroad.

For more information about the Peace Corp., as well as information on how to apply, go to:www.peacecorp.gov