U.S. Congressman Aaron Shock will be joined by the Director of the Peace Corps and a representative from Caterpillar for a panel called “Paths to Global Engagement” to discuss international engagement and the public’s role as a global citizen.
The panel, to be hosted at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday in the Marty Theater, will discuss the value of participation on a global scale, seeing the world and showing some of the opportunities to get involved on the global level.
“The Peace Corps is on everyone’s mind, with the 50th anniversary coming up,” said Rok Teasley, a recruiter with the Chicago office. “We’re increasing our competitiveness and opening up more opportunities for people to join up.”
Teasley served in the Peace Corps in Moldova from 2005 to 2008, working to set up the Outdoor Leadership Center, the first non-profit organization that focused on experimental education and leadership initiatives, as well as helping to streamline business practices and other outreach programs in the community.
In 2007, he trained additional volunteers in community outreach so the projects started early in his work could continue to flourish. In the community where he was stationed, Teasley was given the opportunity to paint the ceiling of a church. As an artistt, he accepted the task.
“I gained just so much from it,” Teasley said. “I have another family now on the other side of the world. I’m able to see the world in a much larger scale. I see myself in the context of a much wider world. This has helped me in a lot of my projects.”
The Peace Corps has helped a wide variety of Bradley alums to experience the world. There are currently seven alums serving, and 93 alums have served the programs since the organization’s founding in 1961. Additionally, there are approximately 394 Illinois residents serving in the Peace Corps.
“We have a pretty good partnership with Bradley,” Teasley said.
