Matsui Center Local Government Fellowship

The text "Local Government - Transforming lives through public service" appears over an image of a lively city street

The Matsui Center Local Government Fellowship offers students the opportunity to gain firsthand municipal experience and provide direct service from the ground up. Fellows work in or alongside local government, gaining insight into the political and policy landscape in local communities around the country.

Selected Fellows must secure a full-time summer internship. Eligible internship placements include local government offices, nonprofit and community organizations, think tanks, legal services, and more, and can be located anywhere in the United States. Fellows receive advising from Matsui Center staff and a stipend to help with living costs and transportation.

Meet the 2026 Local Government Fellow

young woman with curly dark brown hair smiling outside in front of greeneryEmily Chamale is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley double-majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. Her upbringing in South LA, shaped by systemic underinvestment in immigrant and working-class communities, grounds her commitment to equity and public service. Emily is driven by a deep desire to return to her community and serve South Central Los Angeles through legislative and grassroots work. Whether as a policymaker or an organizer, she hopes to uplift voices like her own and champion solutions that address immediate community needs while laying the foundation for long-term collective prosperity.

Click here to read Emily's full bio.