Democracy Camp in Berkeley Fellows & Alumni

Iris De Leon (she/her)

Iris De Leon is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley. As a first year with an intended political science major, she is determined to work for immigrant advocacy, and uplifting students’ voices. Being raised in Los Angeles, Iris has made it her...Read more about Iris De Leon

Emily Chamale Hernandez (she/her)

Born in Guatemala and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Emily's experiences have shaped her into a driven and passionate advocate for positive change. She is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in political...Read more about Emily Chamale Hernandez

Although born to Filipino immigrant nurses, Lauren’s professional interests could not be any more different. At a young age, she developed a passion for leadership, public speaking and public service, leading her to become an active member of her local LA community— spearheading an annual...Read more about Lauren Francisco

Marisa comes from a Mexican-American background- grounded in the intersections of gratitude, pride, and community. She is motivated by those around her to pursue her passion of working for the betterment of public service by giving back to the people that gave so much to her including the...Read more about Marisa Buenrostro

Annmarie Le (she/her)

Annmarie Le was raised in a Southern California immigrant household by hardworking and resilient parents who started from scratch. She has always been passionate about learning and hopes to research foreign policy and international...Read more about Annmarie Le

Alma Castillo is a first-generation, low-income, second-year student at UC Berkeley from South Central Los Angeles. At Cal, she is a part of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Disabled Students Program (DSP), and Biology Scholars Program (BSP). She also...Read more about Alma Castillo

Aisha Elbgal is a first-generation Muslim Yemeni-American with an intended major in Social Welfare. She was born and raised in Oakland, California where she has witnessed a plethora of issues engulf her beloved city coupled with the lack of action at the hands of those in power. This...Read more about Aisha Elbgal

Mina Boukhris (she/her)

My name is Mina Boukhris, and I am a second-year student at UC Berkeley majoring in legal studies with a minor in city planning. I am passionate about using city planning policy to create more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable built...Read more about Mina Boukhris

Tonya DeGruy (she/her)

Tonya DeGruy is a non-traditional transfer student at the University of California, Berkeley in her second semester. Tonya was raised in the city of Los Angeles with a single mom. Being a non-traditional student returning to...Read more about Tonya DeGruy

Angel Tlachi (they/them)

Angel Tlachi is majoring in political science and Spanish, and is on the Pre-Law track, with an interest in immigration reform. Born in Oakland, and raised in an immigrant household, Angel was aware of the extensive and difficult process...Read more about Angel Tlachi

Marisol Medina, a child of Mexican immigrants, is a first-generation college student. She is a second-year majoring in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy. She grew up in Inglewood, California, neighboring the city of Los Angeles, which inspired her to advocate for more...Read more about Marisol Medina

Christian Jared Aleman is a Bay Area native who grew up in San Francisco and the East Bay. With his various academic experiences, he is interested in the advancement of educational rights for historically marginalized students within California and beyond.

As a student...Read more about Christian Jared Aleman

Jasmine Lozano (she/her)

Raised in the San Joaquin Central Valley, Jasmine is passionate about advocating for others, herself, and her community through academic, social, and legislative forums. She is a political science and ethnic studies double major with a...Read more about Jasmine Lozano

Hello, my name is Jasmine Esquivel. I am a first-generation low-income student here at Cal. I am a sophomore majoring in Social Welfare and intending to minor in Ethnic Studies, and I am part of the EOP and DSP program. On campus, I am currently a NavCal mentor where I help other...Read more about Jasmine Esquivel

Martha Haddis (she/her)

My name is Martha Haddis I am a first-generation, African American, 4th year transfer student from San Jose, CA. I am majoring in political science with a public policy minor. During my time at Cal, I have continued to enhance my networking and...Read more about Martha Haddis

Jennifer Ramirez is a first-generation Latina studying Economics and Public Policy at UC Berkeley from the Bay Area. Growing up in a mixed-status household, she experienced first-hand the hardships Latinx immigrant families faced, such as the struggle to...Read more about Jennifer Ramirez

Anna is passionate about serving underserved communities through the lens of the law and legal system. As a Berkeley Peter E. Haas Public Service Leader, she worked for Bay Area JusticeCorps, where she helps self-represented litigants navigate the legal system by providing legal information...Read more about Anna Maria Diaz

Rosie Echeverria was born and raised in East Hollywood, Los Angeles in a Central American immigrant household and she is a first-generation...Read more about Rosie Echeverria

Katie DaQuino is a fourth year student studying Political Science, with minors in Public Policy and Interdisciplinary Human Rights Studies. She is the president of Cal Habitat for Humanity, a community service club that aims to give students opportunities to volunteer in the local...Read more about Katie DaQuino

Peter Coe is a third-year undergraduate studying Political Science and Public Policy at UC Berkeley. He is currently rebuilding the UC Berkeley SunRise Movement Club to leverage membership to motivate local and national politicians to champion environmental policies. The Sunrise movement is a "...Read more about Peter Coe

Natalie Gonzalez is a first-generation undergraduate senior at UC Berkeley. Natalie is majoring in Legal Studies and minoring in Human Rights. She is currently working on her senior thesis through the Legal Studies Honors Program and working as a research assistant for a Postdoc at Brown...Read more about Natalie Gonzalez

Randy Cantz is a senior at UC Berkeley pursuing a degree in History and a minor in Public Policy. He is focused on gaining critical insights into the measures necessary to institute salient and long-lasting policies at state and national levels. An active member of his school’s...Read more about Randy Cantz

Growing up moving homes often, Jessica maintained her education regardless of the distance. She saw the importance her parents’ placed on quality education, translating their practices into her own beliefs, further confirmed during her time at high school. Through high school, she...Read more about Jessica Josette Lin Tupas

Maxwell is a sophomore student at UC Berkeley studying Political Economy. He has been interested in public service since serving as student body president in 8th grade. His history of public service and government includes YMCA Youth and Government, Alameda County District...Read more about Maxwell Stern

Ayline Ruelas is a 22-year-old first generation college student. She grew up watching both her parents having multiple jobs to make ends meet. It wasn’t until she decided to take advantage of her education at community college despite feeling uncertain and lost whether education was...Read more about Ayline Ruelas