UMW Goes Global as Peace Corps Top Producer
Teenage boys can be a handful, no matter which country or culture they come from.
Amal Hajjami (front row, far right), who graduated from UMW in 2019, is among the dozen Mary Washington alumni currently serving in the Peace Corps. The University was just named a Peace Corps Top Producer.
Amal Hajjami learned that fact within her first few weeks of Peace Corps training in Morocco, when the 2019 alumna encountered a young man who refused to participate or follow the rules – when he even bothered to show up – but she wouldn’t give up on him.
“During training, we’re taught that we shouldn’t push these individuals away,” she said, “but instead, give them leadership responsibilities.” Soon the teen was stepping up and helping out. “He showed me that once you start encouraging people, the outcome will change.”
Hajjami is among a dozen Mary Washington graduates serving worldwide in the Peace Corps, to which the University of Mary Washington has once again been named a top contributor. UMW jumped to number seven – up from 15th last year – among small schools on the 2020 Top Volunteer-Producing Schools list, released this morning.
Securing this prestigious ranking is a longstanding tradition for the University, which has earned a spot on the list since 2005. For 12 consecutive years, UMW has been included among the top 25 colleges and universities with fewer than 5,000 students. A total of 270 alumni have joined the Peace Corps since its 1961 inception.
“Mary Washington’s culture of service keeps fueling students’ interest in continuing their commitment to populations served by the Peace Corps,” said José A. Sainz, director of UMW’s Center for International Education (CIE). “It pushes their boundaries and offers many opportunities for them to become better global citizens.” Read more.
Kyle Danzey: Corps Values
Before Kyle Danzey can talk about his military service, or the GI bill that put him through college, or the work that funded his graduate degree in Norfolk, he must first talk about his family.
“My mom and dad grew up in the segregated South,” he said. “They didn’t have many opportunities.”
Yet they made them – paving the way for their son.
Kyle Danzey is director of the new Peace Corps Prep program at UMW. Photo by Alex Sakes.
Danzey’s parents joined the military, which gave them the chance to go to college. His father was injured while serving in Vietnam. Together, they raised a son who would follow in their footsteps, fully appreciating the value of an education.
He got a bachelor’s degree, worked two years and then went to graduate school at Old Dominion University – paying his own way as a full-time vocational instructor for recipients of welfare benefits.
He arrived at UMW two years ago, taking on the role of assistant director for career and professional development. He also serves as coordinator of UMW’s brand new Peace Corps Prep program.
Q: The Peace Corps just recognized UMW as one of the top volunteer-producing colleges for the 10th year in a row. Why do so many join?
A: It’s just a culture that we have here at UMW. We’ve always had that tradition of being educators or providing a service. Our students want to contribute to society. They want to travel internationally.
Q: Tell me about the new Peace Corps Prep program.
A: It’s a pipeline program that combines targeted coursework, service-oriented field work and professional development to prepare undergraduates for future volunteer positions. Successful students receive a certificate from the Peace Corps, a graduation rope and help with applying to the Peace Corps.
Q: Tell me about your other roles here on campus.
A: I do all of the marketing within the Career Center. I do resume reviews, career assessments and presentations on resume building. I also teach local seventh through twelfth graders once a month as part of the James Farmer Scholars program. I teach a student transition program for incoming freshmen for under-represented students. I’m also coordinator for a workforce recruitment program for students with disabilities.
Q: What’s your favorite part of the job?
A: Working with students and seeing them grow over time. It still shocks me sometimes when I’m walking across campus and I hear, “Hi, Mr. Danzey.” I made some impact on that student’s life for them to remember me. That’s the ultimate reward.
Q: What is the most challenging part?
A: Throughout my life, I’ve seen that one person others don’t see who may feel undervalued. I’ve always taken to that person. There are so many out there we just don’t know. It hurts my heart that there may be a student going through a situation that I can’t help.
Q: Is there a motto you live by?
A: Strengths lie in differences, not similarities. I think that can apply to everything.
