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Career Takes Alum Far (And We Mean Far!) Away

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After earning her MS at Mason, Lee Lacy headed to the Peace Corps.

Mason grad Lee Lacy’s search for meaningful work took her not only out of the region, but halfway around the world.

For the past three years, Lacy, MS Social and Organizational Learning [2] ‘02, has been heading up the Peace Corps [3]’ volunteer efforts in Armenia.

As Peace Corps director in the western Asia country, she leads a program that prepares volunteers for two-year stints as teachers and business and nongovernment advisors in the country. In all, she has helped more than 200 volunteers acclimate to their new surroundings and to the rich Armenian culture.

“This has been the most rewarding three years of my 30 years of federal service,” says Lacy, who previously worked as a senior program officer for the Corporation for National and Community Service [4] and as director of Volunteers in Service to America [5] for former U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford (D-Penn.).

Prior to her time in Armenia, Lacy was in charge of the Peace Corps’ Field Assistance Division, where she provided technical assistance to Peace Corps staff in more than 70 countries. She will soon finish her assignment in Armenia and return home to Maryland.

“Everything I studied I have been able to put to some good use in my work,” she says, adding that she strongly encourages other “mid-career” Mason students in search of adventure to consider the Peace Corps as a career option.

As for what this globetrotting alum next has in store: “I am looking for another great challenge that will allow me to serve my country,” she says.