The Best of Both Worlds

Story by Chase Dunn

After coming to work at Texas Tech University in 1994, as a study abroad counselor, Sandy Crosier wanted to get an opportunity to connect students with the Peace Corps. As a returned Peace Corps volunteer, she recognized the value of it. But, because there was not enough staff in the Office of International Affairs, Tech was unable to partner with the Peace Corps.

In the fall 2008 semester, that partnership was finally achieved. Tech applied and was approved to be part of the Peace Corps Master’s International program, or PCMI.

PCMI allows Tech students the opportunity to receive a master’s degree in agriculture or education, as well as gain two years of overseas work experience in the Peace Corps.

Norman Hopper, Ph. D, Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture Sciences and Natural Resources, said PCMI is a great program for students who want to serve in the Peace Corps and earn a master’s degree.

Hopper explained students attend Tech and take 30 hours of graduate courses in agriculture or in education the first year. Then, a student enters the Peace Corps and serves 27 months overseas. At that time, the student returns to Tech for a final oral exam, receives six hours of internship credit and earns a master’s degree.

“We live in a global society now and learning more about our ‘neighbors’ is important to one’s professional and personal development,” Hopper said.

While overseas, students are placed in the field that they have been studying.

Sandy Crosier pointed out that one of the largest benefits to Tech is that prospective graduate students are considering Tech when before they might not have. Our program is listed right on the Peace Corps Website; students from all over the country can find us there.

As it becomes more and more difficult to remain competitive in the job market, PCMI can really help make an individual stand out from the crowd.

“They’re coming out with two kinds of credentials a master’s degree, and two years of overseas work experience said Crosier. “If a person wants to work for an NGO (Non-governmental organization) or an international business, they have to have that experience.”

“It’s an opportunity to do something that will really contribute to the development of these countries,” said Crosier.
PCMI is a perfect program for students who want to make a difference in the world. Peace Corps allows students to immerse themselves in a country’s culture, language and people.

Some of the biggest benefits to students are the personal growth they can experience and the things they learn about themselves. Because a student is in a foreign country for two years, it is necessary to become a part of that community.
“To affect change, you have to become a part of the community,” said Crosier.