Fordham Celebrates 15th Anniversary of its Coverdell Peace Corps Fellowship Program

On December 13, 2019, Fordham University celebrated the 15th Year Anniversary of the Paul D. Coverdell US Peace Corps Fellowship Program at Fordham. To mark the event, a luncheon was held attended by Fordham Administrators, the US Peace Corps Office, representatives from Fordham’s Community Partners and Fordham Students who are Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

^{In the back row from left to right are: Phil Marino, Belmont Business Improvement District; Marc Valera, Fordham VP for Administration; John Reilly, Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation; Jim Buckley, University Housing Neighborhood Housing Program. In the front row from left to right are: Wilma Alonso, Fordham Business Improvment District; Alyssa Tucker, Assistant Director, Belmont Business Improvement District; Herminia Gomez, University Relations, US Peace Corps; Rosanna Viera, Director of Development, Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation; Mirtha Camille Sabio, General Counsel, Bronx Borough President; Jumelis Abrahamson, Director of Programs, Univeristy Neighborhood Housing Program; Cathy Clarke, University Housing Program}

Since the Program at Fordham started in 2005, 57 Coverdell Fellows had gone through the Program. These fellows also served the Bronx community at large through their work with our local community partners which include: the Fordham Business Improvement District (Fordham BID), University Housing Neighborhood Housing Program (UNHP), Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation (FBHC), Belmont Business Improvement District (Belmont BID) and the Bronx Borough President’s Office.

*^{Ms. Mirtha Sabio of Bronx Borough President’s Office with current Coverdell Fellows Jeremy Wierenga (IPED ’20) and Tara Moran (IPED ’21)}*

Aside from their contribution to the community, Fordham Coverdell fellows have also brought pride to the university. About 38% of the Coverdell fellows have won outside prestigious awards. Our fellows are now placed in leading roles within the private, public and non profit sectors.

*^{Current Coverdell Fellows Megan Madeo (IPED ’20) and Anna Canero (IPED ’21) with UNHP officers Ms. Jumelia Abrahamson, Ms. Catherine Clarke and Mr. Jim Buckley}*

During the luncheon representatives from the community partners were recognized and awarded plaques of appreciation by Mr. Marco Valera, Fordham’s Vice President for Administration, and Ms. Herminia Gomez, Peace Corps Office of University Relations.

We wish to thank our community partners for the support they have given to our students and program these past years. We also wish to thank the following Fordham Offices for helping us organize the Coverdell fellowship program: Forham’s Office of Government Relations, Office of the President, Office of the Provost, Office of Student Employment and Office of Student Financial Aid.