Lia Marie Silva Rodriguez CC’25 is a senior studying political science and statistics. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Silva Rodriguez is deeply committed to civic engagement and public service, especially at the intersection of culture, arts and diplomacy. She has demonstrated this commitment through her campus involvement, as under-secretary of programming for Columbia’s Model UN Conference, outreach and advocacy chair for Best Buddies, and trip leader for Urban NY, roles through which she has prioritized inclusion and student community-building. Silva Rodriguez has interned at the United Nations, U.S. Department of Commerce, a Dominican manufacturing firm, and the American Ballet Theatre, contributing to initiatives focused on sustainability and gender equality. As a 2025 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow, Silva Rodriguez plans to pursue a master’s in public administration and international relations. She aspires to a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, advancing cultural diplomacy and fostering global connections through artistic expression.