BOONE, N.C. — Recent Appalachian State University graduate Andrés Rosa ’19 is serving in the Peace Corps, applying what he learned and experienced at Appalachian to build youth leaders and address issues with teens in Peru.

Rosa, of Durham, earned his B.A. in psychology with a minor in dance from Appalachian and has begun his two years of volunteer work as a Peace Corps youth development facilitator.

“In many parts of Peru, communities are dealing with cases of addiction, absence from school, sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy. I hope to use what I have learned in child and adolescent psychology, health psychology and creative dance to help youth with issues of self-esteem and work alongside teachers to help bring the issues to the forefront,” Rosa said.

He said faculty mentors in Appalachian’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology supported his goals and helped him in his career path.

“Lucinda Payne worked with me on my internship with Western Youth Network — an experience that was instrumental in my decision to serve because I realized how children’s lives and decisions are affected by the world around them,” he said.

After serving with the Peace Corps, Rosa plans to pursue his master’s degree and work as a counselor or mentor for young people.

“In Peru, Rosa will develop leadership, technical and cross-cultural skills that will give him a competitive edge when he returns home,” said Kandice Brown, public affairs specialist for the Peace Corps. “Peace Corps volunteers return from service as global citizens well positioned for professional opportunities.”

Rosa, who lived in Puerto Rico for several years as a child, said he is excited about immersing himself in the Spanish language and culture again. “The next two years are about making a difference for youth in their educational and economic status and integrating into this new and interesting culture,” he said.

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Psychology (BA)

The Psychology (BA) degree prepares students with a general knowledge of psychology, critical thinking skills, communication and writing skills, and data analysis – all of which can be applied to entry-level employment or graduate education.

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Peace Corps at App State

If you have a desire to change lives, one person at a time, then you may be a good candidate for service in the Peace Corps.

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First Destination Success

Appalachian tracks where its graduates go, notes high success rate

Whether graduates seek immediate employment or an advanced degree, their experience at Appalachian State University gets them where they want to go at a high rate of success.

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About the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology

Appalachian State University’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,400 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 90 graduate students across four graduate programs: experimental psychology (MA), industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management (MA), school psychology (MA/SSP) and clinical psychology (PsyD). Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.