Mary Elizabeth Baskerville, 22, of McLean, has been accepted into the Peace Corps.

Baskerville will be departing for Azerbaijan on Sept. 29 to begin pre-service training as an English teacher Peace Corps Volunteer. Upon graduation from Volunteer training in December, Baskerville will be teaching English to students 7-16 in a regional village in addition to serving as a resource to Azerbaijani English language teachers and local community members.

Baskerville is the daughter of Jim and Teri Baskerville, and a graduate of Cheverus Jesuit College Preparatory High School in Portland, Maine. She then attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and speech communication with a focus in public communication, graduating in 2009. Baskerville previously worked as an intern for Senator Susan Collins as well as a student coordinator for James Madison University’s 1st Green Job Fair.

“Volunteering has always been a big part of my life, although I usually did it in conjunction with school and could not devote myself to it full time. When preparing to graduate from college and looking at my future prospects, the Peace Corps was something that really stood out,” said Baskerville, of her decision to join the Peace Corps.

During the first three months of her service, Baskerville will live with a host family in Azerbaijan to become fully immersed in the country’s language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community, Baskerville will serve for two years in Azerbaijan, living in a manner similar to people in her host country.

Baskerville joins the 351 Virginia residents currently serving in the Peace Corps. More than 6,498 Virginia residents have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.

More than 256 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Azerbaijan since the program was established in 2003. Volunteers in this South Caucasian nation work in the areas of education, youth and community development, and business development. Currently, 107 Volunteers are serving in Azerbaijan.



To learn more about the Peace Corps, visit www.peacecorps.gov.