College of Nursing is Peace Corps affiliate

Villanova, PA, January 11, 2011 — The College of Nursing at Villanova University has received affiliate status from the United States Peace Corps through its selection as a Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program site. This relationship will encourage returning volunteers who are nurses to advance their education through graduate study at Villanova. In addition, qualified volunteers with degrees in other disciplines who wish to become nurses will be welcomed to the College's accelerated second degree program for college graduates. The Peace Corps, founded in 1961, encourages former volunteers to apply their experiences acquired abroad to community service activities in the United States during their time of study. They will also participate in professional seminars with other nursing student leaders, will present their Peace Corps experiences to other Villanova students, and will partner with faculty mentors to achieve career goals.

Clinical Assistant Professor Kimberly Connolly, M.P.H., R.N., director of the College's Center for Global and Public Health and a former Peace Corps volunteer who will coordinate the program for the College, commented, "I can't think of a better way to honor the University and College commitment to human service and the nurturing of a global community than to initiate this relationship here at the College of Nursing. Launching it during the Peace Corps's 50th Anniversary year makes it even more exciting."