Growing up in the rural municipality of Planadas, Colombia, Frank Fierro saw limited options for his future. There was farming, of course—specifically, plantains. He could move to the big city and get a labor job. Or he could choose the path of too many young men and boys in poor, rural communities—join a guerrilla group. 

Back then, he never dreamed he could live on campus at a major university and earn a degree in agricultural engineering. But that’s just what he did through a scholarship from the Utopia program at Colombia’s Universidad de La Salle. 

He graduated in 2016 and went on to earn his master’s degree at the University of New Mexico, U.S. He returned to Planadas, where he became Secretary of Agriculture for his municipality, working with local farmers to grow sustainable, profitable crops using the latest business, technology, and agricultural practices. Now he has his sights set on becoming mayor.

“I’m a little bit famous in my hometown,” Fierro humbly admits. “The mayor made a video about me. I have a lot of contact with the community. I can feel the happiness and pride from them. I am showing farmers how to adapt to climate change. I teach English and agriculture to children ages eight to 17. Most important, I show them there are opportunities if they focus and work to be good students.”