Kyle Laird, graduate candidate '09
MA Geography/Planning
Place of service:  Humanities University of Zaporozhye; Zaporozhye, Ukraine '01-'03
Program of service:  Business Education

Laird served for 25 months as a Peace Corps volunteer (plus 3 months in training).  This experience propelled Laird into the world of Internationla development for two more years working with Peace Corps in Washington, DC and then with American Councils for International Education in Vladivostok, Russia; Kyiv, Ukraine and Washington, DC.  Laird continues his connection with international development in his present work as the Peace Corps Campus Recruiter for Appalachian State University.  Laird has a BA in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College and an AA in Photojournalism form Randolph Community College.

CURRENT FACULTY AND STAFF RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS (RPCVs)

Brooke Cuttino, ASU Organic Farm Manager, ASU Professor (IDS)
Place of service:  Ministry of Forestry, Malawi '05-'06
Program of service:  Environment Sector

Cuttino served in Malawi for 16 months, working with local permaculture groups, focusing on agroforestry education and small-scale kitchen gardening for the purpose of protecting Malawi's agricultural soils from erosion and diversifying the vilage diet for a healthier lifestyle.  She returned to the States to work within the field of soil science, and ultimately, to ASU in the field of sustainable agriculture.  Brooke has a MS in Sustainable Systems:  Agroecology from Slippery Rock University and a BS in Anthropology:  Sustainable Development from Appalachian State University.

Brooke (left) with her language teacher and another PCV at her swearing in ceremony in Malawi.

APPALACHIAN ALUMNI RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS (RPCVs)

Allison Matlack, ASU Alumna, Honors English '05
Place of service:  Senkoase High School, Mokhotlong (district), Lesotho '05-'07
Program of service:  Education

Allison served for 23 months as a Peace Corps volunteer (plus 2 months in training).  Allison taught English language/literature to students aged 12-27 and had numerous secondary projects, including forming a library, teaching HIV/AIDS prevention and cure, coaching volleyball, writing grants, and facilitating workshops.  Allison graduated in 2005 summa cum laude from ASU with a BA in English, concentration in creative writing, and hopes to use the experience to further a writing career.  In the meantime, she's looking to continue teaching in some capacity.

Allison at her traditional wedding in Lesotho to fellow Peace Corps Volunteer Anthony Pranger.

Lorie Singleton:  ASU Alumna, Special Education '92
Place of service:  Slovakia '00-'02
Program of service:  Education:  English as a Second Language

Lorie (who is legally blind) taught ESL in both an elementary and secondary school for students who were blind and visually impaired.  She also worked in a rehab program for adults with visual impairments and other disabilities.  Lorie also worked with students forming an English Club and her apartment become the regular meeting place for the club.  Lorie currently works for Yellow Mountain Enterprises a program for adults with developmental disabilities.

HIGH COUNTRY RESIDENT RETURNED PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS (RPCV)

Jennifer Westerman: ASU adjunct instructor in Fall 2008
Place of service: El Salvador and Guatemala, 1997-99
Program of service: Agroforestry and Environmental Education

Westerman served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years (plus three months in training).  She taught environmental education classes, collaborated with a host country extension agent to teach sustainable forestry and agriculture, and, along with her community, developed and managed a major watershed conservation project, which later won a national environmental award for sustainable development.  Westerman holds a BA in English from the College of William and Mary and an MA in American Studies from Utah State University.  She is currently completing an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Literature and Environment at the University of Nevada, Reno.