UAF recognized for 10 years of Peace Corps affiliation

September 26, 2014

9/26/2014

Peace Corps regional representative Stephanie Nys visited the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Sept. 25 to talk with students and present a certificate of appreciation to Tony Gasbarro, who volunteers as the corps' campus coordinator.

This year marks the 10th anniversary o f UAF's Peace Corps Master's International Program.

MIP allows students to earn a master's degree in conjunction with Peace Corps service. UAF offers the program through the School of Natural Resources and Extension and Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development.

Tony Gasbarro accepts a certificate of appreciation from Peace Corps regional representative Stephanie Nys. Nys is wearing traditional clothing from Liberia, where she served in the Peace Corps.

A returned Peace Corps volunteer, Gasbarro was instrumental in bringing the MIP and Coverdell Fellows programs to UAF. He credited retired Extension employee Kristy Long, also a returned Peace Corps volunteer, with helping get MIP set up and Associate Professor Susan Todd with maintaining the momentum.

"She is the one making this work," Gasbarro said of Todd.

SNRE has 15 Peace Corps-affiliated students this semester.