LAKEWOOD, Wash. — Pierce College adjunct professor Gustavo "Gus" Reina was selected as a Fulbright Specialist and traveled to Argentina this year to help a university explore how the American community college model can support workforce development and economic growth.
The Fulbright Specialist Program, established as part of the Fulbright Program's mission to build international understanding through educational and cultural exchange, connects U.S. experts with institutions around the world to share knowledge and strengthen partnerships. More than 450,000 people have participated in Fulbright exchanges since the program's founding in 1946.
Gus, who has taught in Pierce College's Emergency Management program since 2023, spent 22 days working with the Catholic University of Santa Fe in Santa Fe, Argentina. His project, titled "Community College as a Model for Social and Productive Development," focused on helping the university develop educational pathways that prepare students to enter the workforce through associate degrees, certificates, and career-focused training programs.
"The opportunity felt like a perfect fit," Gus said. "I started my own educational journey at a community college while I was serving in the military. I understand how community colleges work from the student perspective and now from the faculty perspective. Community colleges create opportunities for people to gain the skills they need to build successful careers."
Before joining Pierce College, Gus served 20 years in the U.S. Army, building expertise in logistics and emergency management. Throughout his military career, he worked closely with organizations such as the American Red Cross and participated in search-and-rescue operations.
"At its core, logistics is about taking care of people, making sure they have what they need, and preparing them for whatever they may encounter," Gus said. "Emergency management was a natural transition for me. Now I'm at a point in my career where I can share that knowledge and help educate and grow the next generation of emergency managers."
Gus had already begun collaborating with faculty, researchers, and local business leaders in Argentina through virtual meetings and research activities prior to his trip. The visit helped strengthen those relationships and laid out the groundwork for continued collaboration over the next year.
The opportunity was first introduced to Gus by Pierce College's International Education team.
"They suggested the Fulbright program and thought it might be a fulfilling opportunity," he said. "When I learned about the project in Argentina, I knew it aligned with my own experience and belief in the value of community colleges."
Gus credited Pierce College leaders and colleagues for supporting the effort, including Dr. Sarah Miller, Associate Professor of Homeland Security/Emergency Management, and Pierce College's International Education team, led by Cindy Schaarschmidt, who was awarded the Fulbright International Education Administrators (IEA) Award to Taiwan for the 2026–2027 academic year.
Through the exchange, Gus shared the role community colleges play in creating accessible pathways to education and employment while learning from higher education leaders in Argentina.
"Today, it's increasingly difficult to secure a well-paying job without specialized training, a certificate, or a degree," Gus said. "Community colleges help bridge that gap. I was excited to share that model and learn how it could be adapted to meet the needs of communities in Argentina."