PHILADELPHIA –- As the newest Peace Corps Fellows/USA partner
school, the University of Pennsylvania now offers returning Peace Corps volunteers the opportunity to attend graduate school at reduced cost while aiding underserved U.S. communities through internships.

"We are thrilled to be part of this program to prepare returned volunteers for even more challenging leadership careers," Donald Kettl, director of Penn’s Fels Institute of Government, said. "We have long found that previous leadership experience predicts future leadership excellence, and it's impossible to find any better preparation than the Peace Corps."

Peace Corps Fellows can pursue a Master of Governmental Administration degree at Fels in addition to earning graduate certificates in nonprofit administration, economic development and growth, politics and public finance. The Fellows will work in internships with the Fels Government Research Service, area nonprofits and local governments and school systems to address community and social problems in underserved communities in Philadelphia. Each will receive a minimum of $6,000 per year for two years and be eligible for other merit-based awards.

The Peace Corps Fellows/USA program has established partnerships with more than 40 universities nationwide. Additional information is available at www.peacecorps.gov/fellows.