Jeremy Lackman, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Health and Physical Education, was awarded a one-year sabbatical to work as a Peace Corps Response volunteer in Mexico from July 2026 through July 2027. As a specialized academic advisor, he will collaborate with the faculty at UTTlaxcala (UTT), a technical university in Tlaxcala, to develop their curriculum in Spanish.
In this role, Lackman will actively participate in the analysis, design, and updating of study plans in accordance with the current educational model. He will collaborate in reviewing graduate profiles, curricular structures, and content, providing innovative and relevant proposals. Additionally, he will contribute to the development of curricular assessment tools and to aligning professional competencies with the needs of the students and faculty.
“Upon my return, I plan on assisting the Department of Health and Physical Education with their curricular development,” Lackman shared. “Additionally, my goals are to host events with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to educate faculty and staff about Peace Corps Response opportunities, as well as to host events for students in conjunction with the Global Education Office, the Global Education Committee, and the Peace Corps Prep Committee to talk about ways they can get involved.”
Lackman is a former full-time Peace Corps volunteer, having served in Moldova as a health and physical educator teaching in Romanian in grades 3-8. His expertise in curriculum development and Spanish fluency, as well as previous experience working with a technical and agricultural university, drew him to this opportunity with UTT.
Peace Corps is a U.S. government organization that offers full-time Peace Corps and shorter-term Peace Corps Response volunteer opportunities. Peace Corps Volunteers and host community partners advance and embody its mission, values, and goals in communities around the globe to promote human connection across cultures and make a lasting impact. The goals of Peace Corps volunteers are to help the countries interested in meeting their need for trained people; to help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served; and to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.