NPCA Scholarship Recipient for the School of International Training: Rebecca Scarbrough

SIT Graduate Institue Scholarships

Academic scholarships allow NPCA members to pursue master’s degrees in international programs through SIT Graduate Institute. Members of the NPCA who have one year or more of significant Peace Corps experience are eligible to apply for this $10,000 scholarship. The RPCV Scholars who have come from this program have gone on to do amazing things beyond their master's degree and continue building on the impact of their Peace Corps service. 

NPCA members can request information regarding this exclusive scholarship opportunity at 800-336-1616 or 802-258-3510, or on the SIT Graduate Institute web site.

Originally from Fairfax, Virginia, Rebecca completed her Undergraduate degree at Old Dominion University with a BS in Communications focusing on children and family. While she was in school, she worked at the YMCA and babysat for local families, both of which had influential individuals who previously served in the Peace Corps. Because of these mentors, Peace Corps was the ideal fit in her professional career.

Rebecca served in the Philippines from 2012-2015 as a Child Youth and Family Volunteer. During her first two years, she lived in a densely populated urban community where she worked at an international children organization. In her final year, she served as a volunteer leader for the organization. Throughout her service, she heard about the School of International Training (SIT) through other Peace Corps volunteers who also graduated from the institution.

After her service in the Peace Corps, Rebecca moved to DC where she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sustainable Development: International Policy and Management with a focus on monitoring & evaluation. SIT’s Peace Corps friendly curriculum and interest in global development immediately captivated Rebecca’s interest into the program. Because of the scholarship she received from NPCA, Rebecca “felt valued by SIT as an RPCV to pursue a higher education.” She is currently interning for the Peace Corps Agency as her practicum for the program. She works with the overseas staff training and country directors that represent different Peace Corps program posts. Rebecca has gained valuable experiences with her exposure to the Peace Corps Agency and the international development community outside of Peace Corps. The cross-communication skills that she has acquired from the Peace Corps and SIT have helped Rebecca develop her personal growth in an academic and professional setting.

After graduation from SIT, Rebecca intends on pursuing a career with a mission-driven organization that aligns with her values. She is interested in working in the field living overseas in the U.S. federal sector.

 Learn more about how NPCA supports Returned Peace Corps Volunteers  here.