Aaron Jalca

Research Associate

Why LEO?

Why LEO?

I grew up in a low-income, Hispanic household and was the first in my family to graduate from college. Yet through every period of uncertainty, my parents and church community taught me to use what God has given me to serve those in need. As an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, I discovered a love for economics and political science because they can provide dignity- and research-based responses to inequality, poverty, and lack of opportunity. My upbringing taught me what those issues are like; my church taught me to address them for the sake of others; my education taught me how to do so. LEO brings these three things together.

Bio

Aaron is currently working on a project with Fathers and Families, a service that teaches parenting and family classes to former inmates to prevent recidivism. Prior to working for LEO, Aaron earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science at the University of Notre Dame. His research interests include economics of education, labor economics, and public economics.