CSB ranked again in Peace Corps' annual volunteer listing

For the second time in as many years, the College of Saint Benedict earned a spot on the Peace Corps’ annual list of the top 25 volunteer-producing small colleges and universities across the country.

CSB ranked No. 20 in the Peace Corps Top Colleges 2015 rankings of small colleges and universities, with nine alumnae currently serving overseas as Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps defines the term “currently serving” as those who were serving on Sept. 30, 2014, as self-reported by Peace Corps volunteers.

CSB moved up one spot from its 2014 ranking, when it was listed as No. 21 among small colleges and universities (defined as less than 5,000 undergraduate students).

Since the Peace Corps was established by President John Kennedy in 1961, 145 CSB graduates have served in the Peace Corps. Overall, nearly 220,000 Americans have served in 140 countries worldwide.

For the third consecutive year, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, ranked first among small colleges and universities, with 20 volunteers. Two other Minnesota schools made the list – No. 2 Carleton College (17 volunteers) and No. 5 Macalester College (15 volunteers).

Krista Mastel of the Peace Corps will be at CSB and SJU on Tuesday, March 17, to provide information and answer questions about the Peace Corps. Her schedule includes sessions from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Gorecki Center, CSB, and 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m. at Sexton Commons, SJU. She will also host an information session at 4:30 p.m. at room 8, Mary Hall, SJU.