HWS News
24 September 2024 • Alums • Service Cianflone '24 Joins the Peace Corps By Andrew Wickenden '09
Julia Cianflone ’24 has found a convergence of her academic passions and professional goals in her Peace Corps assignment in the heart of South America.
This month, Julia Cianflone ’24 embarks on a three-month training period in Paraguay’s capital Asunción before beginning her community placement as a Peace Corps Volunteer. As a Community Environmental Promoter, Cianflone will support environmental education, reforestation and zero waste efforts as Paraguay works to counter climate change.
“My service in the Peace Corps aligns perfectly with my academic background and future career aspirations,” says Cianflone, who envisions a professional life “centered on global, environmental and conservation studies. This experience will also pave the way for further education, likely through pursuing a higher degree. Ultimately, I hope to continue serving in government departments focused on the environment and preservation.”
Through the program in Paraguay, Cianflone will connect with local teachers, students, farmers, elected officials, and non-government organization workers to develop eco-focused projects — from tree plantings to recycling initiatives to environmental holiday celebrations in local schools.
As the Peace Corps notes, Paraguay is home “to diverse ecosystems such as the Atlantic Forest, wetlands, and savannas,” though the country has “seen immense land use changes in recent decades in favor of farming. Deforestation and substandard solid waste management practices have led local partners to identify environmental conservation as a top priority for Peace Corps Volunteers.”
“I was drawn to this specific program because of its emphasis on environmental protection, which aligns closely with my personal passions,” says Cianflone. “Growing up, I developed a deep appreciation for the outdoors and became interested in minimalism, zero waste and conservation efforts. Frequent visits to national parks and a consideration of studying historic preservation and conservation further fueled these interests.”
Cianflone, who earned her B.A. in Architectural Studies, says her experience at HWS was “instrumental in preparing me for this experience by constantly encouraging me to pursue my ambitions. From the deans to the professors to my friends, everyone was incredibly supportive and positive. They not only listened to my goals but provided valuable guidance on how to make the most of my time in school to achieve them. This support helped shape the path that led me to the Peace Corps.”
As she prepares for her service, which begins in 2025, Cianflone says, “I’m most excited about the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and become a part of a close-knit community. I look forward to learning from the people around me and gaining new perspectives from their experiences and knowledge.”
A member of Theta Phi Alpha, Cianflone studied abroad in Rome and interned at SKM Design in West Hartford, Conn. On campus, she worked for HWS Admissions and participated in a number of cocurricular programs, including Outdoor Recreation and Adventure Program, Real Estate and Design Initiative, the Slavic and Eastern European Club, Beautiful Minds Club, and the Arts and Design Collective Club.
In August, HWS was ranked first in the nation for service in Washington Monthly’s 2024 College Guide and Rankings, which are calculated according to HWS alumni service in the Peace Corps, among other criteria. This spring, Alanson Loomis ’24 and Ahmed Wise ’24 were also accepted as Peace Corps volunteers, serving respectively as a Community Economic Development Facilitator in Fiji and a Community Health Outreach Volunteer in Kenya. This fall, Paige Humphrey ’23 learned she has been accepted to serve as an English teacher in Viet Nam.
