American University (AU) ranks No. 2 among medium-sized schools on the Peace Corps’ 2026 list of the top volunteer-producing colleges and universities. Thirty-five AU alumni are currently serving in 23 countries around the world: Albania/Montenegro, Armenia, Belize, Benin, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Eastern Caribbean, Gambia, Guatemala, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico, Paraguay, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Togo and Zambia.

AU also ranked second nationwide among volunteer-producing graduate schools.

“American University is proud to be ranked as the No. 2 top producer of Peace Corps volunteers, reflecting our longstanding identity as a university with a global reach and a community committed to service,” said AU’s President Jonathan R. Alger. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with the Peace Corps to create impact across our world.”

“We are grateful to partner with colleges and universities across the nation who instill the value of national service in their students, inspiring them to pursue their purpose post-graduation,” said Peace Corps Acting Director Richard E. Swarttz. “In more than 60 countries, Peace Corps volunteers are working side by side with communities helping to address real needs through agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development projects.”

AU has actively partnered with the Peace Corps to further the agency’s recruitment efforts on campus, particularly in launching the undergraduate certificate program known as Peace Corps Prep. Undergraduate students enrolled in the program—housed in AU’s School of International Service—combine targeted coursework with hands-on experience, building the competencies needed to become competitive Peace Corps applicants and international development professionals.

Since the Peace Corps’ 1961 founding, 1,224 AU alumni have served abroad as volunteers.

AU alumna Dahlia Hannah Linowes is serving as a community environmental promoter in Paraguay. “American University strengthened my passion for intercultural communication, life-long learning and international relations while preparing me for meaningful engagement in and out of the classroom,” Linowes said.

Countries and communities around the world continue to partner with the Peace Corps as the agency aspires to attract and support 8,000 volunteers in service by September 30, 2030. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit peacecorps.gov to learn more about the Peace Corps and apply for service.