Meet the Fellows

Aaron Pierce is a dual-degree candidate at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs and the Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brazil, specializing in Management and Public Policy. Aaron is interested in fostering holistic community transformation through strategic partnerships in developing countries. He has more than five years of local government experience in the field of federal grant administration and community revitalization, including strategic planning and neighborhood organizing. As Grants Planner for the City of Arlington, Texas, Aaron developed annual and five-year plans for community development projects in partnership with non-profit and private sector actors. He also helped build capacity and cohesion among low-income neighborhoods as the Neighborhood Revitalization Coordinator for the City of Grand Prairie, Texas. Prior to working in local government, Aaron worked in non-profit management for two years. He led the expansion of ministries in Northeast Region, Brazil while serving as regional director for Campus Crusade for Christ in Fortaleza. Aaron's community work has included organizing leadership development training programs, consulting for new nonprofit organizations, and assisting with the development and implementation of cross-cultural training materials. Aaron holds a BA in political science from the University of Southern California.