Vinnie Feucht ‘11 is the recipient of a scholarship to participate in ThinkImpact’s Innovation Institute this summer in Africa. The Innovation Institute is an opportunity for students to live in rural African communities, learn about social entrepreneurship, and work collaboratively with community members to develop social products and services that can be managed and sustained locally.

“Lots of people talk about changing the world but don’t manage to do so in a sustainable way. What intrigues me about ThinkImpact is their very basic, but effective, pyramid approach,” says Feucht. “I’m honored to have this opportunity and excited about learning how to create real change.”

A senior majoring in English with a minor in Spanish, Feucht has spent time abroad in Peru exploring the Amazon jungle, rural Guatemala teaching English in an elementary school, and Ecuador studying everything from religion to the culinary arts. Last summer, he was an intern at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems in Goldsboro where he studied organic farming systems. Feucht currently works in the Office of the Chancellor as a communications assistant.

After he graduates, Feucht is exploring a variety of options that range from working for a nonprofit organization to serving in the Peace Corps. He is also hoping to backpack from South Africa to Spain, and perhaps write about the experience.