Shawn Canin is a first-generation student and immigrant from the Philippines. Raised by a single mother, he developed a deep sense of responsibility early in life while caring for his siblings and balancing school, work, and family needs as the eldest. These lived experiences shape the core of his work and ground his commitment to public service and policy.
At UC Berkeley, he was elected to serve as a Student Body Senator. His work includes community programming, resource navigation, and initiatives focused on equity and belonging. As a research apprentice for Dr. Jose Eos Trinidad, he studied how historical, organizational, and institutional forces influence student experiences and shape education policy.
Shawn is a Schaeffer Fellow with experience across federal, state, and local government. He has interned for Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, State Senator Scott Wiener, State Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, and San Francisco Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman. Across these roles, he worked on casework, policy research, memos, and community engagement. He has also volunteered as an interpreter and translator with immigrant-serving nonprofits, helping families access legal and social services.
Major(s): Media Studies