NC State Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship is thrilled to introduce the 2024-2025 Social Innovation Fellows. This year, 20 students from across the university will collaborate in three interdisciplinary teams. As the eighth cohort of the program, these students will spend the year refining their leadership and change making abilities while gaining deeper insights into themselves, each other, and the communities they will serve. These organizations will act as their “living laboratories.” Stay tuned as we track the journey of these passionate and committed students through a year of personal growth and impactful learning.
To stay informed about what the Fellows are doing this year, be sure to follow them on Instagram and sign up for their newsletter.
Meet the cohort
Alejandro Ibrahim
Alejandro Ibrahim, is from Brown Summit North Carolina. He is pursuing a masters in Public History with a focus on agriculture history. He is passionate about preserving agricultural methods of communities of African descent and using this knowledge to influence policy changes in the nation as well as the Caribbean and Africa.
Ashley Nuñez-Saenz
Ashley Nuñez-Saenz, From Chapel Hill, is a Junior in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences pursuing a double major in Political Science with a concentration in International Politics and Science, Technology, and Society to work in law and environmental policy.
Anamari Thomas Carter
Anamari Thomas Carter is a senior at North Carolina State University majoring in Sociology with a minor in Statistics. She is interested in public sociology and is pursuing research and advocacy efforts in education disparities, stratification, and work. Upon graduation, Anamari plans on attending graduate school and pursuing a career in higher education.
Disha Dureja
Disha, from Fox River Grove Illinois is a junior in Poole College of Management studying Economics with a Political Science minor in order to pursue a career in policy reform.
Ellen Benitez
Ellen Benitez from Asheboro, North Carolina is a Senior in the College of Engineering studying Civil & Construction Engineering and minoring in Nonprofit Studies & Business Entrepreneurship in order to help improve infrastructure in developing communities to improve their quality of life.
Halee Reinhardt
Halee Reinhardt, from Lincolnton NC, is a Senior in the College of Natural Resources studying Natural Resources with a concentration in Ecosystem Assessment in order to help work against the water crisis on an international level.
Henry M. Smith
Henry M. Smith, a second-year student at NC State University, is double majoring in Business Administration and Psychology. He is passionate about improving educational equity for adult learners, disabled students, and veterans, recognizing the impact of community college credentials. With a strong interest in mental health and personalized support, Henry plans to pursue a PhD in Counseling Psychology to address the unique needs of diverse student populations.
Huong Vu
Huong Vu, from HCM City, Vietnam is a sophomore in the Poole College of Management studying Accounting in order to work as a tax consultant in the future.
Jordan Collins
Jordan Collins, a junior from Charlotte, North Carolina, is majoring in Natural Resources with a minor in Science Communication and Wildlife. Passionate about the environment, Jordan hopes to contribute to creating a more sustainable world.
Jay Karan Telukunta
Jay, originally from Hyderabad, India, currently resides in Raleigh, NC, where he is pursuing a graduate degree in Computer Science and Engineering. With professional experience as a Software Engineer at Amazon, Shure, and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Jay is passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world challenges. He is dedicated to continuous learning and personal growth, with the goal of making a positive impact on the world.
Jack Rothacker
Jack Rothacker, from Charlotte, NC, is a senior in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, majoring in Spanish and minoring in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship. He aims to become an executive director and establish one of the largest, most impactful NGOs in Latin America focused on education development. Jack founded his nonprofit, Perseverancia, last year to build a seventh-grade classroom for a private school in El Salvador, which has now grown into a three-classroom construction project set to begin in November. His goal with SIF is to learn how to create a sustainable nonprofit, enhance social impact, and grow as a leader on his entrepreneurial journey.
Keeley Smith
Keeley Smith from Davidson, NC is a graduate student in the Wilson College of Textiles earning her M.S. in Textiles and has previously achieved her B.S. in Fashion and Textile Management with a minor in Business Administration from NC State. Her goal is to advocate for businesses and entrepreneurs who emphasize diversity, sustainability, and ethical business practices.
Keira Dappen
Keira Dappen, from Elon is a junior in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences studying International Studies- Global Relations and minors in Political Science and Science, Technology, and Society in order to pursue a career in International Law.
Madilyn Smith
Madilyn Smith, from Bladenboro, North Carolina, is a sophomore in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University. She is studying Animal Science with a minor in Wildlife Science, aiming to graduate and apply for veterinary school with the hope of becoming a veterinarian.
Parinita Das
Parinita Das from Assam, India is a Graduate Student in the College of Design studying Graphic and Experience Design in order to use design for good and is committed to ethical and responsible design practices. Parinita focuses on sustainable, user-centred, and inclusive design to ensure her work positively impacts society and the environment.
Simone Smith
Simone Smith, from Wake Forest, NC, is a senior in the College of Sciences and Education, majoring in Mathematics as well as Applied Education Studies.
Soumya Batra
Soumya Batra, from Delhi, India, is a Master’s student in the College of Design, where she is specializing in Graphic and Experience Design with a focus on UX design. She is passionate about using her design skills to create digital products that not only enhance people’s lives but also serve as tools for social justice, supporting communities in need.
Shire Thompson
Shire Thompson from Amherst Massachusetts is a Junior in Poole College of Management studying Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship. He is passionate about videography, storytelling, and helping people improve their lives through actionable steps outside of their comfort zones. He hopes to pursue a life of impact through entrepreneurship addressing environmental and social problems along the way.
Taquan Dewberry
Taquan Dewberry, from Knightdale NC is a Sophomore in the Colleges of Humanities and Social Science and Engineering studying Computer Science and Philosophy in his undergraduate prior to attending law school, where he plans to enroll in a dual degree program simultaneously studying constitutional law and receiving his PhD in Computer Science. Taquan plans to begin his legal career serving as a public defender for underrepresented and underserved defendant populations, eventually working to utilize his love for people and his knowledge of legal processes to effect positive change in the national legal infrastructure.
Likhitha Srinivas
Likhitha Srinivas, from India, is a graduate student at NC State University, studying Master of Engineering Management with a focus on analytics. She is passionate about leveraging data-driven insights and innovative management practices to drive impactful business decisions and contribute to sustainable technological advancements.
