From 1996 to 1998, Lorenzo served with the Peace Corps in Paraguay, South America. When finished with the Peace Corps, Lorenzo came to Illinois State University as a Peace Corps Fellow in Political Science in 1999. Lorenzo chose Illinois State University because of the faculty. She said, “It is really important to have strong faculty to back up a program.”  Lorenzo gave special credit to Dr. Nancy Lind, Professor of Politics and Government, for encouraging her to always give 110%. Lorenzo also appreciated the flexibility the Fellows Program offered in choosing classes and an emphasis of study.

Peace Corps Fellows at Illinois State pursue master’s degrees in applied economics, political science, or sociology, and work in communities across the state and the country, using their community and economic development knowledge. Lorenzo worked at the Union County Development Corporation in southern Illinois. Among other projects, she implemented a retention program that included support for local businesses. Lorenzo completed her master’s degree in political science in 2001.

 Since 2002, Lorenzo has served as a Peace Corps Regional Recruiter in Atlanta. Lorenzo said that it is not easy working for a government agency, but her training at Illinois State in research has been invaluable. These skills also helped her organize and lead a mission trip to Jamaica with Mustard Seed Communities, an organization that helps children with disabilities. For more information about the Peace Corps’ activities, visit http://www.peacecorps.gov/ and for more information on Illinois State Peace Corps Fellows Program visit http://www.stevensoncenter.org/pcf.htm