Blog: IGS Fellows in the World

Serving as a Fellow at a national civil rights organization in Washington, D.C. means learning quickly that policy work does not pause, even when everything around it feels unstable. During my time at the LULAC National Office, my fellowship unfolded amid a government shutdown,...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: "Still Here": Holding Ground and Advocating at LULAC Through a Government Shutdown

This fall, I served as a Policy and Research Fellow at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Office, the largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States, founded in 1929. LULAC’s legacy of advocating for educational equity, civic...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: "Aquí 'stoy": Tracing Roots and Resiliency while Interning at LULAC in Washington, D.C.

Few experiences capture the tension of DC quite like a government shutdown. Witnessing firsthand the frustration and resilience of our representatives has come with both uncertainty and confusion. While it is deeply disheartening and disappointing to see programs halted,...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: Finding Resilience in Chaos and Uncertainty: Supporting Constituents During a Historic Government Shutdown

I currently work at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, a community space for queer folks. They provide food, community events, basic needs, and generally, a space for people to exist. People who come in are encouraged to think of the space as a sort of “second living room.” I am...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: "A Second Living Room": Supporting Safe Community Spaces in the Humming Humidity of DC

I’ve definitely hit the ground running. As a National Security, Intelligence, and International Affairs Research Intern at the Institute of World Politics, I’ve been mentored by an Ambassador, numerous professor-practitioners, a defense contractor, and inspiring academics. I’ve...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: Full and Busy, but Beautiful: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and Finding Wonder in Washington, D.C.

My morning began with a mix of excitement and curiosity as I made my way to the Matsui Center at UC Berkeley. I felt an undeniable energy in the room, a sense that this was the beginning of something meaningful. I found myself chatting with new faces...Read more about 2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

Ever since I began my journey in public service as a teenager, I have been deeply committed to amplifying underrepresented voices through community advocacy across all levels of government. Over time—and especially through my Gardner Fellowship—I’ve come to understand that...Read more about 2024 Gardner Fellows: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Justice: My Journey in Local Public Service

As a 2024–2025 John Gardner Public Service Fellow, I had the opportunity to work at the Possibility Lab at UC Berkeley, where I contributed to the Abundance Project—an ambitious research initiative focused on equity in public investment across California. For someone like me, a...Read more about 2024 Gardner Fellows: Reimagining Public Investment Through Lived Experience

When I began my Gardner Fellowship on a swampy September day, I was hopeful of building meaningful professional relationships, learning the ins and outs of Congress, and maybe even making an impact. But I was also fearful of the unknowns that lay ahead – Would my mentor and I get...Read more about 2024 Gardner Fellows: Making My Mark: A Gardner Fellow's Capitol Hill Story

On Friday, May 23rd, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. sharp. It was the day I'd been waiting for since I had graduated a few days before. I was flying to Washington D.C. for the Democracy Camp program! I messaged the group chat with my cohort last night if anyone wanted to...Read more about 2025 Democracy Camp in DC Journal

Spending a semester in Washington, D.C., was a defining chapter of my academic, professional and personal growth journey, one that has reshaped my aspirations for the future. From snowy days to the vibrant bloom of spring, my time in D.C. was truly an unforgettable experience....Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: Blossoming in Spring - How A Semester in D.C. Reaffirmed My Commitment to Public Service and Advocacy

Looking back at my semester at Washington D. C., I feel very grateful that I had this wonderful opportunity. My first post may have been critical of my internship because of its misalignment with its mission (for context, please read my first blog), but after much thought and...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: Concluding a Profound Experience at D.C.

Being in Washington, D.C. this spring and experiencing an administrative transition while interning at a federal agency was unlike anything I had anticipated. Although there were challenging moments, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in Washington, D.C. It was one thing to...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: In the Midst of Generational Change, Still Motivated to Say 'Yes' to Public Service

DC is a surprising city. It’s a beautiful place with so much history, you could throw a rock and hit a landmark around here- it’s just so tense. I don’t know if DC is always this way or if it’s the current administration, but there’s an aura of apprehension that hangs in the air...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: A Place of Rich History and Tension

I am currently interning at Crossroads Campaign Solutions, where I’m gaining hands-on experience in political campaign strategy and digital communications. My day-to-day responsibilities include assisting with social media outreach, conducting research on political trends, and...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: The Opportunity to Experience D.C.

My semester at DC so far has been a complex experience on so many levels. There were times when I was deeply inspired and moved. There were other times when my eyes were opened to the reality of what it means to be in the political realm.

Before my...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: A Mosaic of Transformative Experiences

One of the most memorable moments of my time in D.C. happened almost immediately upon arrival. I landed during a record-cold winter storm, one that led to many airport cancellations and flight delays, in the first week of January, which felt especially daunting. As a native...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: Navigating New Experiences in D.C.

My experience in Washington, D.C., was a whirlwind of discovery and growth, both personally and professionally. I was struck by the energy of the city, its vibrant cultural offerings, and the sheer scale of the institutions that shape our government. The brisk air...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Reflecting on My Time in DC - Shaping My Views on Public Service

My time in Washington, D.C. was far more enriching than I had anticipated. I arrived expecting to visit the usual landmarks—the monuments, museums, and the White House—but what truly captivated me was the sense of unity...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Reflection of My Time in DC - Commitment to the Common Good

My time in DC allowed me to realize my full potential, and to create a better vision of the role I see public service playing in my future. Being from California, DC exposed me to the ways different communities across the country express themselves through activism and culture....Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Public Service as a Key to Upholding Democracy