Mastering the Peace Corps
The toughest job you'll ever love.
That was just the start
Gasbarro's Peace Corps service officially ended in 1998, but that's when his unofficial service began. He goes back to El Salvador twice a year to help with development and humanitarian projects and to visit the people of La Montañona. He worked within Denver-based nonprofit Project Salvador to help develop a scholarship program to enable needy rural Salvadoran youth to realize their dreams of an education. Gasbarro has also helped coordinate several visits of educators to deliver workshops in English-instruction skills for Salvadoran high school teachers.
In 2002, Gasbarro and fellow returned Peace Corps volunteer Kristy Long, a foods specialist with Cooperative Extension, helped bring a Peace Corps master's international program to UAF. PCMI programs allow students to earn a master's degree at universities throughout the U.S. in conjunction with 27 months of Peace Corps service.
"The Peace Corps service adds a step above the degree," said Long, who served in Tonga from 1973 - 1975. "It's the opportunity to apply their academic training to a real-life situation."
After two years of planning, two programs were launched at
UAF -- Peace Corps service is added as an option to already existing master's degrees in natural resources in the School of Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences and rural development in the College of Rural and Community Development.
Students typically spend one year on course work, then go overseas for two years of Peace Corps service, ending with another semester on campus. The student gains an advanced degree plus two years of substantive international experience, Gasbarro said.
He now serves as the coordinator for the UAF program, an official but unpaid position. He is a liaison between the university and the Peace Corps, deals with the students' needs and generally keeps things moving along.
Eric Goldman, Peace Corps' national manager for the master's programs, said the Peace Corps started collaborating with universities to develop graduate programs in 1987.
"We needed to cultivate volunteers who brought enhanced levels of education and skill to their assignments, particularly in targeted or scarce areas of expertise," Goldman said.
Ninety-eight master's international programs are offered at 62 universities; as of April 2009, 230 master's students are serving overseas, with about the same number completing courses, Goldman said.
"Tony is a dedicated soul. He's very committed to this program, the Peace Corps and his students, and he's a wonderful person to work with," Goldman said.