Vichi Jagannathan
Co-Founder, Rural Opportunity Institute
Project: Learning Democracy by Doing: A Civic Education Curriculum for High School Students in Rural North Carolina
North Carolina
Bio
Vichi Jagannathan is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI), where she leads strategy, innovation, and partnerships to help rural communities build resilience and opportunity. A former Teach For America science teacher, Vichi has dedicated her career to designing innovative solutions that improve education and strengthen communities. She also serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she co-teaches a graduate course on Design Thinking for the Public Good. Her work has been recognized by organizations including Forbes and Fast Company.
Innovation for Learning Fund Project: Learning Democracy by Doing
The Rural Opportunity Institute's Innovation for Learning Fund project expands its Young Civic Leaders program by developing a hands-on civic education curriculum for high school students in rural North Carolina. Building on students' paid internships within local government agencies, the curriculum combines classroom learning with real-world experience to help students understand how local government works, strengthen civic leadership skills, and actively participate in shaping their communities. By connecting experiential learning with civic education, the initiative prepares young people to become informed leaders and engaged citizens.
About the the Rural Opportunity Institute
The Rural Opportunity Institute (ROI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping rural communities heal from generational trauma and build healthier, more resilient futures. Working alongside local residents, schools, and community organizations, ROI develops innovative, community-led solutions that strengthen well-being, expand opportunity, and replace punitive systems with restorative approaches. Since its founding, the organization has supported more than 30,000 rural residents and 45 community agencies across eastern North Carolina.
