The University of Wisconsin-Madison ranked first on the Peace Corps’ 2026 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list, according to an April 7 Peace Corps press release.
The university also ranked first in 2025 and sustained its second place ranking for all-time volunteer-producing institution
UW-Madison has consistently ranked at the top of volunteer-producing institutions since the Peace Corps’ founding, with close to 3,500 alumni serving since 1961.
“I think we have a really strong international studies program, and we have a lot of international students, so I think that naturally generates interest,” Hannah Bennett, a UW-Madison Peace Corps representative, told The Daily Cardinal.
The Peace Corps was established in 1961 by former President John F. Kennedy with the intent of sending American volunteers abroad to help developing countries.
The three outlined goals of Peace Corps are to help countries interested in meeting their need for trained people, to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Five continents currently host the Peace Corps, operating in over 60 countries.
Bennett reflected on being a volunteer in Ecuador, highlighting her experience during and after her time in the Peace Corps.
“I just hung out with people on a day-to-day basis and helped with farming and crop processing,” Bennett said. “When you come home, you're supposed to share what you know — this deep experience that you've had. You're able to bring that back and share it with people in the United States.”
Bennett worked on agriculture in Ecuador, one of six sectors outlined by the first goal of the Peace Corps. The other sectors are community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development, with education and health as the most popular sectors.
She credited the UW-Madison study abroad program with generating interest in the Peace Corps.
“I've worked with lots of students who say, ‘I did this short study abroad thing in Uganda, and I want more, you know? And so I was thinking [about the] Peace Corps.’ There's a culture here that encourages people to look beyond the normal path,” Bennett said.
Anthony Hying, a UW-Madison alumni who volunteered in Colombia, also credited the university.
“UW students are so good at focusing on the whole picture and looking for further opportunities for learning, and I think that is a big reason why so many become volunteers,” Hying told the Cardinal in a statement. “The Peace Corps is not for everyone, but the folks that do it gain a critical understanding of people, different cultures and life experience that puts them at an advantage in the workforce.”
During his time in Colombia, Hying helped facilitate community classes, conversation clubs and local green initiatives, along with creating a curriculum to help business owners practice English through community partnerships. He said this ultimately helped promote ecotourism in the Colombian lowlands.
“Peace Corp puts a lot of onus on the volunteers to make the most out of their time. I had the flexibility to choose where I wanted to work in my community and what projects I wanted to prioritize,” Hying said. “The Peace Corps prioritizes the well being of the volunteers…the independence of the volunteer experience can be challenging but also one of the most rewarding aspects of service.”
Both former volunteers expressed their hopes that future UW-Madison students would display interest in volunteering for the Peace Corps after college.
“It's a really unique opportunity, and when I did it, I don't think I realized how unique it was,” Bennett said. “I think of it as this is an opportunity for you to go live in another country for two years, experience it very deeply and all of your expenses are covered. I can't think of another program that would be like that. So, I hope more people start taking advantage of it.”
Hying said he is hopeful for the future of the Peace Corps, especially among UW-Madison students and alumni.
“I hope that the Peace Corps continues to do meaningful work and that Badgers are going into service with the right intentions,” Hying said. “It will be challenging, rewarding and it will change a person's perspective on what it means to be a cultural ambassador.”
