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Peace Corps has announced that Longwood University ranked No. 16 among small size schools on the agency’s list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities in 2020.

This is the first time Longwood University has been ranked on the agency’s list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities.

“These schools are institutions that emphasize being global citizens and service-minded students,” Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen said. “I am excited to know the graduates coming from Peace Corps’ Top Colleges are using their skills to make a positive impact on their communities at home and abroad.”

Since the agency’s founding in 1961, around 91 alumni from Longwood University have served abroad as Peace Corps volunteers.

Kiana D. Graves, an alumna from Longwood University served with the Peace Corps as a youth in development volunteer in Morocco.

“Longwood University has helped to shape my belief and passion, since my first day when I had decided to major in political science with a concentration in global politics. I learned about different countries and cultures through my classes and my passionate professors and from them, I knew I wanted to experience these countries in real life,” she said. “I was able to help create an organization, Global Leaders, that brings together international students and U.S. students to bridge cultures and foster understanding on campus, with guidance from the International Office. From there, I studied abroad for a semester in Costa Rica and had pursued an internship in Saudi Arabia. With the knowledge, experiences and support I had gained from my time at Longwood University, I decided to apply and ultimately got involved with Peace Corps Morocco.”

Graves joins the 382 Virginia residents currently serving in the Peace Corps and more than 8,315 Virginia residents who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

The Peace Corps ranks its top volunteer-producing colleges and universities annually according to the size of the student body.