"I am so pleased to inaugurate the IRD-Peace Corps Fellowship program, which we believe will help build a community of experienced and informed development professionals prepared to work and lead," said IRD President and CEO Dr. Arthur B. Keys. "We look forward to reaping the benefits of this new program and are convinced it has the potential to add value to our work, strengthen our productive partnership with the Peace Corps, and help the Peace Corps to secure extend employment for its volunteers."
During their three-month fellowships, Jenkins and Strohbehn will apply development theory to practical work experience, gain hands-on skills in research and writing, and increase their knowledge of the many technical areas in development.
Fellow Mica Jenkins served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic and Mozambique. In Mozambique, she worked on a women-focused health and food security initiative in which IRD is a partner. The experience encouraged Jenkins to want to learn more about sustainable agriculture and the ways it can contribute to long-term development. She graduated with a degree in anthropology from the University of South Carolina and is originally from Knoxville, Tennessee.
Fellow Mark Strohbehn served in the Peace Corps in The Gambia and Jordan. In Jordan, he worked at the Civil Society Development Center at the Jordan University of Science and Technology. He has a strong interest in the legal dimensions of international aid and development, especially the reintegration of refugees into social, economic and political life. He graduated from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a background in political science and economics. He is originally from Brooklyn, Iowa.In addition to providing fellows the opportunity to work with IRD practitioners and development experts, the program will create new opportunities for IRD and the Peace Corps to share information on best development practices.
Visit www.ird.org for more information on IRD, and visit the IRD Voices blog to read first-hand accounts from IRD staff in the field. You can also view a recent IRD-Peace Corps video celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps, and you can stay up-to-date on IRD's latest news by following us on Facebook, Twitter (@ird_voices), Flickr, or YouTube.
