Peace Corps Connect 2025 Conference Report
- Event: Peace Corps Connect 2025
- Host: National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)
- Dates: July 19-20, 2025
- Location: American University, Washington, D.C.
- Submitted by: Rita Kamazima, Friends of Eswatini Board Member
Executive Summary
Peace Corps Connect 2025 brought together nearly 400 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) and allies during a critical time for the Peace Corps community and the world. Hosted by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) at American University from July 19–20, 2025, this was the first in-person convening since 2019, and it served as a space for reflection, reconnection, and renewed purpose. Emceed by Nicole Banister, one of NPCA’s 2025 40 under 40 awardees, the conference addressed Peace Corps’ sustainability challenges while celebrating community resilience and impact during what Peace Corps CEO Allison Greene called a period requiring RPCVs to step up as never before.
With the theme “Reimagining National Service: Building Bridges at Home and Abroad,” the conference spotlighted key challenges and innovations across five thematic areas: agency resilience, community building, inclusive storytelling, belonging, and civic engagement.
One of the most moving moments of the weekend was a poem by Maria, an RPCV from Malawi, which reminded us not only of what Peace Corps meant during our 27 months of service—but what it continues to mean in our lifetime of commitment. As she led the audience in reciting the Peace Corps pledge (a newer tradition), many of us, especially those of us who served before this was instituted, experienced it for the very first time—a powerful reminder of the legacy we carry and the future we’re shaping.
Looking ahead, the next Peace Corps Connect will take place again at American University, on September 19–20, 2026, to mark 65 years of the Peace Corps. This milestone will align with America’s 250th anniversary, centering national service as a pillar of the celebration.
Introduction
I had the privilege of attending the Peace Corps Connect 2025 conference (agenda), hosted by the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA), on behalf of Friends of Eswatini. This annual gathering, which was the first in-person since 2019, brought together nearly 400 Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), Peace Corps staff, NPCA’s affiliate group members, and service advocates to celebrate the enduring legacy of Peace Corps and explore pathways to revitalize national service in today’s evolving global context and policy changes. emceed by one of NPCA’s 2025 40 under 40 awardee and an international presenter, Ms. Nicole Banister, the conference was a huge success as it re-energized members of the community and re-emphasized the power of collective action and our lifetime commitment to service. The conference theme — “Reimagining National Service: Building Bridges at Home and Abroad”—emphasized inclusion, innovation, and the enduring impact of service, both globally and domestically.
Theme 1: Peace Corps Agency Resilience and Innovation
Current State and Leadership
Peace Corps CEO, Dr. Allison Greene’s keynote “Activating the Spirit of Service: Put me in, coach” emphasized that the Peace Corps “remains operational” but faces significant challenges. Allison stressed transparency and frequent communication, acknowledging the agency sustains largely due to community support from RPCVs. The agency currently has five political appointees with varied Peace Corps experience (parent of a PCV, former staff, RPCV), but no Peace Corps Director has been named yet.
Service Innovation Pilots
Peace Corps is piloting several new approaches or service models and tracking systems to measure effectiveness:
● 15-month Service: Flexible service of just 15-month to give options to accommodate different life circumstances
● Mid-Service Break: Allowing volunteers to return home during service to improve completion rates
● Doubling Readjustment Allowance: Enhancement of financial support to ease post-service transitions
● Transfer Portal: Enabling service extension in different countries while retaining trained Volunteers
● Virtual Service Participants: Virtual service as a pathway to in-person service or option for those unable to travel/relocate but still wish to serve.
Strategic Priorities
The agency is building recruitment partnerships with organizations like Corps Africa and Circle of Service, exploring AI and technology integration, and positioning for 2026 when Peace Corps’ 65th anniversary celebrations will align with America’s 250th celebration, with national service as a key pillar.
RPCV as Brand Ambassadors
Creating a formal request for community support as the agency undergoes significant changes, CEO Greene emphasized that RPCVs are uniquely positioned as the best storytellers and most effective recruiters for the agency. The call represents a shift from passive alumni engagement to active recruitment partnership. Individuals can email [email protected] if interested in helping recruit the next generation of Volunteers.
Theme 2: Community Building and Network Strengthening
NPCA’s Expanding Role
NPCA has crystallized its focus around Peace Corps’ Third Goal: “Bring the world home,” positioning itself as the primary alumni network. The organization quadrupled efforts in recent months, around advocacy, strengthening RPCV networks, and supporting 150+ affiliate groups globally. Operating with a $1.3 million budget (needing $250,000 more for current objectives), NPCA maintains seven staff and 18 board members while building funding avenues such as the legacy donor program.
Connect+ Platform Launch
One of NPCA’s major achievements this year is its technological investment, launching Peace Corps Connect+, an exclusive virtual village created by RPCVs for the entire Peace Corps community:
● Comprehensive Digital Hub: The platform serves as a centralized location where all Peace Corps-related groups can collaborate, post events, and share resources. Unlike public social media platforms, Connect+ gives the Peace Corps community full control over their data and interactions, creating a private, secure environment for professional and personal networking.
● Searchable Professional Directory: Members can create detailed profiles including personal and professional background information, but retain complete control over their visibility. While NPCA can import names into the directory, individuals must opt-in to be searchable, ensuring privacy protection. This feature addresses a long-standing need for RPCVs to find and connect with each other professionally.
● Career and Service Integration: The platform includes a job and service board where both members and employers can post opportunities. An employer directory allows companies to maintain a presence within the Peace Corps community, recognizing the value of RPCV skills and experience.
● Multi-Platform Accessibility: Available through both web browser and mobile app (Peace Corps Connect+ by NPCA), the platform offers nearly identical functionality across devices, with only the map directory feature being limited on mobile. The “Welcome Journey” feature guides new users through platform capabilities.
● Scalable Infrastructure: Current capacity supports 50,000 members with ability to expand as needed. Within the first two months since launch, 2,600 people have registered, indicating strong initial adoption. The platform includes subscription tiers for enhanced features and access.
● Register on https://community.peacecorpsconnect.org/; Download app on Google Play (Android) or App Store (iPhone) called “Peace Corps Connect+ by NPCA”
Coalition Building Strategies
Drawing from Peace Corps cross-cultural experience, strategies emphasize finding common ground across political divides, using service as a unifying mechanism, and leading with curiosity and authentic relationship-building.
Theme 3: Storytelling and Brand Revitalization
“Make Peace Corps Sexy Again” Initiative
The conference highlighted an urgent need to revitalize the Peace Corps’ public image and cultural relevance, with the final conference session being the “Make Peace Corps Sexy Again” panel. Panelists and branding experts Nicole Banister (RPCV South Africa, international award winning presenter, and the PC Connect 2025 conference Emcee), Jeremoe Moore (RPCV Paraguay, PBS TV host, and published author), and Eva Desjardins (RPCV Micronesia, model, and Netflix reality TV superstar) spoke on creative marketing strategies to help revamp the face of the Peace Corps on strategic rebranding .
● Authentic Personal Branding: the panelists emphasized developing personal brands around being authentic, honest, dynamic, and “being a guide for people to explore humanity.” Their message centered on being “unapologetically yourself” and recognizing that “the more ‘you’ you are, the better we all are.”
● Relevance and Accessibility: The panel defined “sexy” as synonymous with relevancy, emphasizing the need for the Peace Corps to stay current and accessible to younger generations. This includes making the Peace Corps “look cool” through intentional storytelling that showcases the real-world skills and personal growth that comes from service.
Lastly, the panelists reminded attendees and organizations to invite young people to the spaces if they truly want to reach the youth and to revitalize efforts to reach them or serve them.
Strategic Outreach
Multi-platform approaches include local school presentations, community volunteering while sharing stories, and leveraging RPCVs across industries as ambassadors. Strategic media partnerships explore collaborations with platforms like Netflix for documentaries, reality shows, and podcasts targeting audiences unfamiliar with Peace Corps.
Social Media Best Practices
One of the workshops I attended, titled “Posting with Purpose” was facilitated by Campbell Martin and Anne-Kirk Terry, both recently returned Volunteers from the Gambia. The two highlighted the intersection of modern Peace Corps service and social media, and also led discussions on how RPCV groups can leverage social media (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, etc.) and address challenges that come with it. They provided specific technical guidance for effective social media engagement:
● Ethical Content Creation: Emphasis was put on obtaining permission before filming and posting, being explicit about where content will be viewed (global public audience), maintaining cultural authenticity, and adding appropriate disclaimers when necessary. Content creators must ask themselves if they’re representing local culture authentically.
● Community Impact Focus: The workshop facilitators Campbell and Anne-Kirk noted that recent cohorts in The Gambia showed increased interest in volunteering there specifically because of social media content, demonstrating measurable recruitment impact. This was noted as a lesson learned that could be transferable to RPCV/NPCA Affiliate groups’ use of social media platforms– build initial interest, then direct viewers to official websites for more detailed information.
● Service Integration: Content creation during service adds a new dimension to the Volunteer experience, serving as both a communication tool with home communities and a recruitment mechanism. However, this must be balanced with primary service responsibilities and cultural sensitivity.
Theme 4: Inclusion, Identity, and Belonging
Diversity and Representation
The “Reimagining Belonging” panel featured three RPCVs with intersectional identities (Palestinian American, Hungarian immigrant, Iranian and Black heritage, deaf/hard of hearing, LGBTQ+, Jewish, etc. ). They discussed navigating identity within host communities, finding safe spaces for authentic expression, and strategically managing identity disclosure while serving as cultural ambassadors.
Key takeaways for me included resilience (taking a break when needed, continuing to show up, and staying in the fight) and recognition that diversity enhances quality of life for entire volunteer cohorts and host communities through expanded perspectives.
Finding a Balance in Terminology Usage and Political Tensions
The Affiliate Group Network (AGN) Annual Meeting on day one featured a discussion of four resolutions, with affiliate group leaders voting to select one priority resolution for the Peace Corps community to champion. The debate revealed significant tensions within the community over how to advance core values while maintaining political viability:
● Strategic vs. Principled Approaches: While Resolution B (Supporting Full Funding for Peace Corps) passed with over 50% support, three other resolutions faced resistance due to concerns about their reception in the current political environment. Multiple members argued that progressive language in resolutions on equity and justice could position Peace Corps and NPCA as “partisan and liberal,” potentially undermining effectiveness and agency survival.
● Community Division on Messaging: The debate centered on fundamental questions: “Do we want to be right or do we want to be effective?” and “How do we as a community live our Peace Corps values while ensuring the Peace Corps continues to exist?” Some advocated for bold truth-telling (“Let’s allow ourselves to be inspiring, speak our truth, and not stand with bigotry”), while others emphasized strategic word choice and seeking guidance from Congressman Garamendi on politically viable approaches to supporting volunteer safety and representation.
Resolutions presented for consideration included:
● Resolution A: Affirming Enduring Peace Corps Values. ○ Purpose: To reassert the moral compass and collective identity of the RPCV community.
● Resolution B: Supporting Full Funding & Mission. ○ Purpose: To unite affiliate groups and RPCVs in advocating for a well-resourced, independent, and mission-driven Peace Corps.
● Resolution C: Advancing Equity and Justice. ○ Purpose: To align the Peace Corps community with broader movements for equity, inclusion, and social justice.
● Resolution D: Upholding the Rights, Dignity, and Wellbeing of RPCVs. ○ Purpose: To ensure the Peace Corps community provides ongoing care and advocacy for its members beyond their service and recognizes their enduring value to society.
Theme 5: Service Innovation and Civic Engagement
Political Engagement Pipeline
The “PC to Politics” panel featured panelists Delegate JJ Singh (RPCV Bolivia), Delegate Robbyn Lewis (RPCV Niger), Ashley Simpson Baird (RPCV Bolivia), who are serving their communities in the political arena (state and school). This panel discussion examined the structural pathways, challenges and opportunities for RPCVs who wish to participate in elected offices and influence policy. The panelists emphasized how Peace Corps skills—including extreme patience, collaboration, saying yes and showing up, and relationship building—directly translate to effective political engagement.
Concrete advice for entry into politics space included identifying key players in local political systems, getting on their radar, finding ways to volunteer time and services, and recognizing that recruiters are always looking for qualified candidates to fill positions. The emphasis was on starting local and building relationships before seeking higher office.
Connection and Community Building
On the afternoon of Day 2, former Peace Corps Directors Dr. Jody Olsen and Carol Spahn led a compelling workshop titled “A Grassroots Movement to Build Connection.” They highlighted the growing public health crisis of social isolation, referencing a June 2025 WHO report that identified loneliness as a major global concern. Both leaders issued a call to action for the Peace Corps community to engage in small, intentional acts that foster real-world connection.
The session introduced “Gather”, a new initiative co-launched by Olsen and Spahn in partnership with Rotary International, aimed at encouraging everyday actions that build community and belonging. Dr. Olsen challenged participants to serve as mentors to students and young people, and to normalize the sharing of personal stories as a way of building bridges.
The workshop emphasized trust-building and reflection, posing questions like, “Am I bringing what it takes to be part of a community different from me?” and encouraging participants to adopt a forward-looking mindset: “Look where you want to go, not where you don’t want to go.”
Advocacy Efforts and Congressional Engagement
The conference culminated in significant advocacy mobilization, with over 130 scheduled meetings on Capitol Hill on Monday, July 21. More than 100 conference attendees participated in this coordinated advocacy day, representing one of the largest organized efforts by the Peace Corps community.
Primary Advocacy Priorities by NPCA:
1. Fiscal Year 2026 Funding: Securing full congressional support for Peace Corps budget appropriations to ensure agency stability and program continuation
2. Congressional Gold Medal Legislation: Building bipartisan support for legislation to honor Peace Corps and its volunteers with a Congressional Gold Medal, recognizing six decades of service
Congressional Champion: Congressman John Garamendi, the sole remaining RPCV in Congress, provided recorded remarks to conference attendees and continues to serve as the primary legislative advocate for Peace Corps interests. NPCA President Dan Baker maintains frequent consultation with Garamendi, who advises the organization on congressional strategy and advocates for agency autonomy.
The advocacy effort demonstrates the Peace Corps community’s commitment to proactive engagement during a critical period for the agency and the country, leveraging the conference’s momentum to deliver unified messaging to lawmakers about Peace Corps’ value and funding needs.
Key Outcomes and Action Items
Immediate Priorities
1. Recruitment Support: Formal RPCV community call to support recruitment due to agency cuts
2. Congressional Advocacy: 130+ scheduled post-conference meetings with Congress members
3. Connect+ Adoption: Encouraging affiliate group platform participation
Long-term Commitments
1. Peace Corps Connect 2026: September 19-20, 2026, at American University celebrating 65 years
2. Sustained Advocacy: Continued congressional engagement for full Peace Corps funding
3. Network Expansion: Growing NPCA support services and community connections
Conclusion
Attending Peace Corps Connect 2025 and especially as a representative of Friends of Eswatini was both professionally enriching and deeply personal. The conference reminded me of my admiration for the Peace Corps community and why I fell in love with the agency—the shared commitment to service, the genuine connections across generations and countries, and the unwavering belief that we can make a difference in the world.
Throughout the weekend, I had the privilege of connecting with RPCVs who served decades before me and recent volunteers just beginning their post-service journeys. From conversations with Rosemary, who served in Comoros and Ghana in the 1960s and 70s, to meeting fellow Eswatini RPCVs who approached me after hearing me speak in one of the plenary sessions, I was reminded of the enduring bonds that transcend time and geography. These encounters reinforced that our Peace Corps experience truly is “a 27-month service that becomes a lifetime commitment,” as Maria’s opening poem so eloquently captured.
The conference reinvigorated my commitment to continue showing up—for the agency that shaped me, for the communities I serve, and for future volunteers who need to see that the Peace Corps remains relevant and vital. I left the conference motivated to tell my Peace Corps story more intentionally, support recruitment efforts, and continue serving my community in various capacities.
While social and moral challenges alongside political uncertainty, Peace Corps Connect 2025 revealed a community that refuses to be diminished by external pressures. The emphasis on storytelling, technology adoption through Connect+, and cross-generational engagement positions our community not just to survive current challenges, but to thrive and remain relevant for future generations. As we look ahead to Peace Corps Connect 2026 on September 19-20 at American University—celebrating 65 years of service—I’m grateful to have been part of this pivotal moment in Peace Corps history and honored to represent Friends of Eswatini in this ongoing journey of service and connection.