EIU Media Relations

EIU’s Peace Corps Prep Program empowers students to lead with purpose

Building on Eastern’s tradition of service and mentorship, the program ares future leaders for meaningful global impact

(Charleston, IL) — Eastern Illinois University is nationally recognized for the strong, meaningful relationships it fosters, making it a first-choice destination for prospective students looking to translate their passion into purpose. This hallmark of EIU captured the attention of Dr. Robert “Tanner” Bivens, who sought to pair his scholarly interests with the opportunity to enhance student experiences through mentorship and real-world preparedness.

“I wanted to connect students with universal opportunities that enhance their success outside the classroom,” Bivens said. “Leading EIU’s Peace Corps Preparation program has given me that chance, and I couldn’t be happier for the students this program will genuinely help to succeed. This preparation program amplifies EIU’s mission by offering an intentional service- and leadership-oriented credentials, boosting students’ competitiveness whether they pursue the Peace Corps or other global-service careers.”

EIU’s Peace Corp Preparation program establishes a formal pathway for students to build toward service—not only through coursework but also through applied community engagement, mentorship, and professional development. The program aligns with the Peace Corps’ nationally recognized “Peace Corps Prep” framework, which emphasizes four core competencies: sector-specific skills, foreign language proficiency, intercultural competence, and professional savvy and leadership experience.

Because EIU is rooted in community service and student leadership, the program is a natural fit for some of its students, many of whom selected EIU for its volunteer-centric reputation and strong leadership development mission. Currently, four EIU students have signed up for the program: Yarianis Vargas, Alex Konopka, Nicolette Reed, and Brianne O’Toole. They say the experience so far has been positive, and they look forward to completing a program that will best position them for achieving their personal and professional dreams.

Konopka, from Manteno, Illinois, shared his excitement about what the program has been able to teach him as a political science major focusing on international relations.

“The fact that I'm able to explore avenues that allow my interest in international relations to fully bloom makes me feel like I can impact the world positively,” Konopka said. “I plan to assist with environmental projects around the world, focusing on Latin America, as I think it would be a benefit to U.S.-Latin American relations.”

“Students who join can say ‘I didn’t just attend a university—I intentionally built toward international service, intercultural competence, and leadership at EIU’,” Bivens added. “And even if a student ultimately chooses a domestic career path, the skills developed—foreign-language ability, intercultural agility, demonstrated leadership, and meaningful volunteer service—are highly valued by employers in education, business, public health, and nonprofit sectors.”

The first official program events, including networking with returned Peace Corps Volunteers and service-learning workshops, occurred throughout November. The program takes approximately two full years to complete appropriate coursework, service hours, and mentorship commitments before students are ready to apply for Peace Corps service. There are no strict eligibility requirements to join the preparation program; however, students are advised to apply as early as possible to maximize the benefit and to align their remaining semesters optimally with program requirements.

The program includes a required 50 hours of volunteer community service, tied to a student’s chosen sector of interest—mirroring national Peace Corps Prep guidelines. Students receive guidance on applying for scholarships, working with foreign governments and non-government organizations, interview preparation, résumé building, and leadership development—regardless of whether they ultimately serve overseas.

Bivens shared that while he had “wonderful academic experiences” as a student in Ohio, his academic path didn’t translate to real-world confidence or experiential preparation.

“When I was a student, I thought I wanted to join the Peace Corps, but I felt the experience was beyond me,” he said. “A program like this would have benefited me greatly—something that connects the student with the realization they can participate and helps them navigate through any of their self-perceived limitations.”

Bivens said that’s why his personal passion for helping students succeed plays such a large part of his commitments to EIU and to the Peace Corps Preparation program.

After joining EIU in 2024 as an instructor in the Political Science Department, Bivens was invited to lead the University’s updated preparation initiative, designed to connect interested, service-oriented students with an opportunity to impact global change. He took leadership of the program in Fall 2024. The application and institutional approval process took about a year and was finalized in March 2025, with student applications for the preparation program opening in Fall 2025.

The Peace Corps, established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, serves as a premier U.S. government agency whose mission is to help people of interested countries meet their need for trained volunteers, to promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served, and to promote a better understanding of others by its American participants. Volunteers serve in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and community development, frequently living and working alongside local populations for approximately two years during their service tenure. 

Students interested in EIU’s Peace Corp Preparation program can visit the Political Science Department website or email Bivens directly at rtbivens@eiu.edu to learn about the application process, upcoming information sessions, and volunteer service opportunities. Because the program is new, seats and mentorship slots are expected to fill quickly, so early engagement is strongly encouraged.

EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, or any of EIU's other community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU's public information office at (217) 581-7400.