Lia Silva is a senior at Columbia College pursuing a major in political science and a minor in statistics. Originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Lia is interested in the intersection of culture, arts and diplomacy. She has held multiple leadership roles on campus, including serving as Under-Secretary of Programming for Columbia’s Model UN Conference and Exposition XXII, and as a trip leader for the Urban NY Program, introducing students to cultural events across New York City.
Lia Silva CC'25
In Fall 2025, supported by the Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship, Lia plans to pursue a Master’s in public administration and international relations. She looks forward to a career in the public diplomacy track of the U.S. Foreign Service, where she can directly create and implement programs that harness the power of cultural and artistic expression to advance U.S. policy goals and foster meaningful global connections.
The Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State by providing support for a two-year master’s degree. Upon successful completion of their master’s program and fulfillment of Foreign Service entry requirements, fellows have the opportunity to work as Foreign Service Officers in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy, serving in Washington, DC and at U.S. embassies, consulates, and diplomatic mission around the globe. Fellows also agree to a minimum five-year service commitment in the Department of State's Foreign Service.
Columbia students and alums interested in learning more about the Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program and other fellowship programs are encouraged to connect with advisors at Undergraduate Research and Fellowships.