Always learn to expect the unexpected and never say never. Brock Bierman, a 1986 University journalism graduate, could claim this as his official motto. His professional career led him away from broadcast journalism and into new territory.

A former Rhode Island State Representative, Brock now serves as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), located in Washington D.C.

Brock had a chance to experience other careers before becoming involved in Washington.

After graduation, this Rhode Island native briefly explored the retail trade before starting his own private investigative business examining companies abroad and turning in those who were stealing American ideas.

But a political career was never even an idea on the back burner.

“About ten years ago, this gentleman came to my door and I had just received a tax bill in the mail,” Brock said. “He was telling me how he was running for the statehouse and all the things that he wanted to do when he got up there.”

This meeting, and encouragement from his wife Lisa, led Brock to enter the race as an opposing candidate.

“I had never been involved in politics,” said Brock. “At that point I didn’t even know what a state representative did.”

However Brock learned quickly, winning the election in his second attempt.

“I won in a dramatic day after,” Brock said. “I lost Election Day and then they counted the mail-ins and I won by 28 votes.”

According to Dr. Kent Hill, Assistant Administrator for USAID, this ease in learning combined with a background in politics, make Brock essential to the agency.

“Because of his unusual background as an American state legislator, he understands the democratic process firsthand,” Hill said. “Whenever we come to projects that involve that sort of thing, he obviously has a real advantage in terms of understanding how that works.”

The position of Chief of Staff was created specifically with Brock in mind, according to Hill.

“I’ve had assistants in the past, but this is the first time I’ve had a Chief of Staff,” Hill said. “This is a more elevated position and it exists because his credentials are ideal to help me in this way.” To his boss, the skills Brock possesses are a product of the education he received at the University.

“A lot of young people in college don’t understand the degree to which what is unique about American higher education is not the major they get, but the liberal arts context in which that education takes place,” Hill said.

While he no longer owes the University any tuition money, Brock feels that there is a larger debt.

“I owe Bowling Green a great deal, which I’ll never really be able to repay,” Brock said. “They’ve given me not just an education, but the life experience I need to succeed.”

Like most freshman, Brock experienced life on his own for the first time at the University.

“It was a real experience being on my own,” Brock said. “I would sum up Bowling Green as really helping me grow up a bit.” But like a child, Brock still enjoys being able to go outside and “play.”

“I really like to get in the trenches, get my hands dirty, and roll up my sleeves,” Brock said. “There’s nothing better than actually being part of the process.”

The USAID process includes such activities as delivering sheep to communities, and rebuilding schools and roads. All of these actions and more are structured to aid countries in economic growth, conflict prevention, humanitarian assistance and the spread of democracy.

Currently, the agency is responsible for 29 countries, many of which are in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

However, Brock views his work with USAID as more than an excuse to travel.

“I wanted to work in areas that I was very interested in and had a passion for,” Brock said. “I really have a passion to let the American public know a little bit more about what USAID does.” According to Brock, experiences at college can shape who a student becomes in life.

“The social aspect of college is extremely important,” Brock said. “It teaches you social skills and how to communicate.”

One of the things that Brock learned outside of the classroom is the importance of being involved on campus and not to let jobs get in the way.

“In as much the money that I earned (working) helped, I probably would have been better off just borrowing the money and repaying it later,” Brock said. “Participating in organizations gives you a lot more training.”

Brock challenges students to not only become involved on campus, but also in the political realm.

“Get involved with the political process, because that can be very powerful,” Brock said. “I don’t care what party affiliation you own, it’s important for every citizen to get involved.”