2012 Fellows
In the summer of 2012, the Paganucci Fellows were involved in a consulting project for Global Grassroots, a non-profit organization that helps individuals in post-conflict countries launch their own social ventures. The main focus of the project was related to Global Grassroots’ newly created e-learning platform, the eAcademy. The Fellows developed a strategy for Global Grassroots to move forward with the eAcademy during the next year. More specifically, the Fellows worked on improving the content and functionality of the eAcademy, devising a pilot program, marketing the product, recruiting the users, and developing a partnership strategy. As part of the project, the fellows travelled to Liberia, where they pursued product development research, initiated partnership conversations, and laid the groundwork for the next pilot program.
Piotr Dormus
Hometown: Krakow, Poland
Piotr is a sophomore double majoring in Economics and Government. Before coming to Dartmouth, Piotr spent two years in Victoria, BC, Canada, studying at the Lester B. Pearson United World College along with 200 students from over 100 countries. Attending Pearson College on a full merit-based scholarship, Piotr completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma. At Dartmouth, Piotr is on the Finance & Strategy staff of The Dartmouth. He is also the European Committee Leader at the International Business Council and a writing tutor at RWIT (The Student Center for Research, Writing, and Information Technology). After college, Piotr wants to work in business or at one of the international financial institutions.
Mahmud Johnson
Hometown: Monrovia, Liberia
Mahmud is a senior double majoring in Government and Economics. He is interested in the intersection of the public and private sectors as a nexus to deliver economic growth and development. At Dartmouth, Mahmud is the Co-President of Students for Africa, a Rockefeller LeadershipFellow, an Undergraduate Advisor, and a Teaching Assistant for a two-term introductory calculus course. Mahmud is also the founder of the iMHere! Project, which provides academic scholarships and mentorship opportunities to young men in low-income communities in Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to Dartmouth, Mahmud took a gap year to work as a Public Affairs intern in the office of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. He also co-hosted “Let’s Talk About Sex,” the mass-media component of Population Services International’s SmartChoice program that promotes responsible sexual behavior to reduce HIV and unintended pregnancies among Liberian youth. After college, Mahmud intends to pursue a career in business and public administration.
Aurelia Solomon
Hometown: Washington, DC
Aurelia is a senior majoring in Geography and minoring in International Studies. She is particularly interested in international development as well as business. During her 2012 winter term, Aurelia interned at the World Bank in the Financial Inclusion Global Practice department. Aurelia is also a member of the Dartmouth Women’s Soccer team. She serves as team captain and is looking to get her first Ivy League Championship this year. On campus, Aurelia is a member of Athletes United, Big Green Readers, and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. After college, Aurelia is considering a career in non-profit consulting, international development work, or professional soccer for a couple years.
Kelly Tropin
Hometown: New Canaan, CT
Kelly is a senior majoring in Government and minoring in African Studies. She is especially interested in the politics of developing countries and is writing a senior thesis on natural resource wars in Africa. Kelly has also done research as a Presidential Scholar on the history of the Sahara Desert region, with particular focus on illicit trans-Saharan trade and political and economic reforms in the region. On campus, Kelly is a member of DREAM, Vandana (a South-Asian dance troupe), Students for Africa, and Alpha Phi sorority. She also served as captain of Dartmouth’s varsity equestrian team her sophomore year. After college, Kelly is considering a career in international development or getting a PhD in political science.
Jeff Wilson
Hometown: Newbury, NH
Jeff is a senior double majoring in Economics and Sociology with a keen interest in social entrepreneurship. At Dartmouth, he has been a Presidential Scholar, a statistics study group leader and tutor, and a DOC trip leader. Outside of Dartmouth, Jeff has worked at Lake Sunapee Bank in the commercial credit and compliance departments. While Jeff was captain of his high school basketball and soccer teams, he has branched out recreationally into the realm of racquet sports in college. His memorable experiences at Dartmouth include participating in the Dartmouth Global Leadership Program trip to Houston to promote higher education in under-resourced middle and high school communities as well as completing the winter backpacking extravaganza known as the Frozen Fifty. After graduating, Jeff intends to pursue financial consulting for a few years and then attain a graduate business degree.