Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement

CU Graduate Heads to Africa with Peace Corps as Part of Passion to Improve Global Health

Before applying to medical schools, University of Colorado at Boulder
graduate Nick Breitnauer is taking a two-year hiatus to teach in
sub-Saharan Africa with the Peace Corps.

"One major inspiration to serve is that it is a very real, powerful
way to serve the community in which I'm placed," said Breitnauer, who
graduated May 8 with bachelor's degrees in molecular, cellular and
developmental biology and psychology. "I truly believe I can improve
the quality of life of those I will be teaching."

He will leave this November to join a corps of fellow volunteers and
begin training. During his service, Breitnauer will direct a class in
secondary biology, incorporating concepts of health and environmental
education as well as promoting school and community involvement. He
also will take on a self-directed project where he plans to work in
various health centers across the region.

"I am excited about understanding much better what it would look like
for me to work as a doctor internationally," Breitnauer said. "More
specifically, I don't just want to be another volunteer for
international medical foundations, but I want to work tirelessly at
real, systemic changes in international health."

Part of his motivation for working on these changes in Africa,
Breitnauer explained, came about from a previous volunteer trip he
took to a township in Cape Town, South Africa. "I loved the culture,"
said Breitnauer, who directed a camp there and also spent a year
teaching English in China.

He learned during his visit that 30 to 50 percent of the children of
the township were HIV positive.

"I was completely captivated by the smiles upon the faces of the
children, constantly glowing in the face of hardship," he said. "It
became very clear to me that the hope within these children was
something special. Their joy shone through the darkness of an
epidemic. From that moment, my heart was captivated by the African
people and I remain driven to be a change agent in the face of this
enormous battle for global health."

Breitnauer's background in leadership will assist his efforts to make
an impact through his service. In addition to being in the Presidents
Leadership Class, he also is one of two recipients, statewide, of the
Colorado Leadership Alliance Student Leader of the Year award.

This honor, presented by 9News, the Boettcher Foundation and the
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and other organizations, was created
to recognize students who demonstrate extraordinary support of their
campus leadership programs, exceptional service to their community,
and outstanding character and personal resilience.

"Nick leads with integrity and compassion," said Barbara Volpe,
executive director of the Presidents Leadership Class. "He leads by
connecting to others and drawing out their strengths. That is a
quality not many people possess."

In the News » CU Graduate Heads to Africa with Peace Corps as Part of Passion to Improve Global Health