Paganucci Fellows Program

The Program

The Paganucci Fellows Program is a unique opportunity for Dartmouth undergraduates to take part in a global experiential learning program offered at Tuck.

The program supports Tuck’s efforts to study complex social issues and the ways businesses can create positive social and financial value: in effect, the “double bottom line." It is targeted at students with an interest in social entrepreneurship, an aptitude for working collaboratively as part of a consulting-like team, and an appetite for making a difference in the world.

Please note that the COVID-19 pandemic will impact the 2021 program. The Dartmouth website provides up to date information that will guide the program parameters for the immediate future. At this time, we are planning for an 8-week program (June 13-August 6) that includes sponsored participation in Tuck Business Bridge and a social impact project with an NGO. Each fellow will received a $6,000 stipend for the summer. This is the same structure that we used in 2020. Please feel free to contact one of the fellows from last summer to ask about their experience with the program: Emmanuel Berrelleza, Katrina Keating, Jasper Meyer, Cassandra Thomas, and Isabela Velasco.

Previously, fellows have engaged in projects such as:

• Developing a business plan for a recycling program within Intercorp to support Perú Champs  
• Designing resources for MEDLIFE chapters and their work to address global health inequity
• Working on a digital platform and global strategy for Positive Tracks in US and South Africa
• Creating an e-learning tool for Global Grassroots in Liberia
• Advising on short- and medium-term strategy for Instiglio in Colombia

Information about the topics and fellows for the last two years can be found below the application information section.

Application Information for 2021 Program

We are not accepting applications at this time.

2020 Program Details and Fellows

The 2020 Paganucci Fellows worked with Perú Champs, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower talented, underprivileged children through access to high-quality education. Currently serving more than 2,100 students, Perú Champs provides need-based scholarships to attend Innova Schools and offers a specialized leadership training program. Perú Champs turned to the Paganucci Fellows to analyze the potential for creating a new business that would commercialize recycled materials within Intercorp and generate funds to support additional scholarships.

In 2020, the Paganucci Fellows Program was held entirely online. The team divided their time between the Tuck Business Bridge Program and the Perú Champs project. During Tuck Bridge, Fellows were introduced to core business disciplines such as marketing, strategy and accounting. For the Perú Champs project, the Paganucci team did a deep dive into the recycling industry in Peru. The Fellows interviewed industry experts from across Latin America and tapped into Tuck’s faculty and resources. In addition, the Fellows participated in a series of professional and personal development activities as part of an integrated leadership framework.

EMMANUEL BERRELLEZA D’21
Emmanuel Berrelleza is a senior studying Government and English who will study at Harvard Law School after graduation. The Paganucci Program piqued his interest because of the potential to work with Perú Champs - an education NGO operating throughout Latin America and working at the intersection of education and social entrepreneurship. At Dartmouth, Emmanuel served as a Government researcher on U.S. ratification of U.N. Human Rights treaties, is president of the Dartmouth Latinx Public Service Society, former director of the Dartmouth Minority Pre-law Association, and an active member at the Rockefeller Center for Public Policy, the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship, and FYSEP - an organization for first-generation college students on campus. In his free time, Emmanuel enjoys creative writing. He is currently drafting a book he hopes to publish. His favorite way to learn is by doing, whether this involves traveling to foreign countries, attending conferences, or conversing with strangers. Emmanuel is constantly seeking to expand his perspective and the Paganucci Program allowed him to do just that. 

KATRINA KEATING D’20
Katrina Keating majored in Psychology and minored in Human Centered Design and Spanish at Dartmouth College. Katrina was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and is looking forward to teaching in Spain later this year. She was drawn to the Paganucci Program for the opportunity to work with a similarly passionate team of students and Tuck faculty to leverage business strategies to make a positive impact. Supported by Dartmouth Partners in Community Service, Katrina interned at Reach the World, an intercultural education nonprofit, and D-Rev, a medical device company with a focus on global health. These experiences confirmed her interest in using business strategy and entrepreneurship to address global challenges. She also volunteered with Social Impact and Nonprofit Consulting and gave strategy recommendations to Habitat for Humanity. Katrina was an active leader in the Dartmouth Outing Club where she led local hiking trips with Cabin and Trail, organized backpacking trips as a co-chair of Women in the Wilderness, and served as a First Year Trip Leader. In her free time, she loves going on outdoor adventures with family and friends.

JASPER MEYER D’22
Jasper Meyer is a junior majoring in Philosophy. Jasper was drawn to the Paganucci Program to learn more about nonprofit consulting and social entrepreneurship. He was excited about working on an interdisciplinary project with a team of driven people from diverse backgrounds. He enjoyed the opportunity to expand his own leadership and professional skills while benefiting a deserving cause. At Dartmouth, Jasper is involved with the outdoors community and works as a tour guide. He does independent research in the philosophy department that is related to cognitive development and theory of mind. Jasper also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Positive Tracks, a national social change organization. In his free time, Jasper loves to spend time outside - mountain biking, hiking, and skiing.

CASSANDRA THOMAS D’22
Cassandra Thomas is a junior majoring in Government and Latinx, Latin American & Caribbean Studies. She was excited to work alongside globally-minded students, explore the non-profit consulting field, and sharpen her leadership skills. This fall she will begin research on the Central America Project as a James O. Freedman Presidential Scholar. During her sophomore year, she studied in Cusco, Peru and Havana, Cuba, and before then she worked alongside attorneys at an immigration non-profit in central Texas, primarily focusing on asylum cases in detention centers. In her free time, Cassandra takes runs with her dog, improves her Spanish by watching modern novelas, and connects with her friends over the outdoors, music, and food.

ISABELA VELASCO D’21
Isabela Velasco is a senior majoring in Economics and Romance Studies. Isabela was drawn to the Paganucci Program to experience how entrepreneurship and businesses can be a force for social improvement, along with the opportunity to further develop her leadership and teamwork skills. At Dartmouth, Isabela is involved with the Latin American Student Association and is passionate about global leadership. She is actively involved with Rockefeller Center programs and works as a student leader in the Global Leadership Program. She has also conducted research as a Presidential Scholar in the Economics department. In her free time, Isabela enjoys being outdoors, watching sports, and traveling with friends and family. In the future, Isabela hopes to bring her creativity, multi-language skills, and drive to the intersection of business development and social growth.

2019 Program Details and Fellows

The 2019 Paganucci Fellows worked with MEDLIFE (Medicine Education Development for Low Income Families Everywhere), a non-profit organization with a mission to build a worldwide movement empowering the poor in their fight for equal access to healthcare, education, and a safe home. Building on previous strategy recommendations from Tuck students, the Paganucci team traveled throughout Peru and also analyzed best practice across competitors, learned from expert Tuck Faculty, and interviewed college students from around the world. The Fellows then developed extensive resources to increase engagement among MEDLIFE College Chapters. In addition to the social impact-consulting project, the Fellows participated in a series of professional and personal development activities as part of an integrated leadership framework and global experiential learning program.