Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Christian Dieguez

Class of 2026
2026 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Washington Fellowship - Fall
2024 Democracy Camp Student Director
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Christian is a driven, first-generation student at UC Berkeley majoring in political science with a minor in public policy. Being raised in Los Angeles, California, Christian has become passionate about addressing the historically discriminatory systems that shape the access to opportunities and resources for many individuals. He is particularly interested in creating immigration reform and keeping families together, strengthening our human rights, and investing in early education.

During his time at UC Berkeley, Christian has been an active member in the Berkeley community by...

Rosie Echeverria

Class of 2023
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2023 Cal-in-Sacramento
2022 Schaeffer Fellowship
2022 Washington Fellowship - Spring
Placement: Rep. Adam Schiff - Burbank District Office Mentor: Colleen Oinuma

Rosie Echeverria was born and raised in East Hollywood, Los Angeles in a Central American immigrant household and she is a first-generation, low-income, EOP, DSP, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ student at UC Berkeley. She went to Santa Monica College (SMC) for about two and a half years then transferred and moved to UC Berkeley in Fall 2020, toward the beginning of the covid pandemic. She is a Political Science major with a minor in Public Policy and Education.

Her...

Aisha Elbgal

Class of 2025
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

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 sparked a passion in Aisha from a young age when she gave a speech at her middle school about the early rise of gentrification and displacement in what was once a beautiful and diverse Oakland. She is now working to address issues such as educational inequity, public health and safety, homelessness...

Jasmine Esquivel

Class of 2024
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

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 underrepresented and marginalized students on campus access mental health services, basic needs services, access to scholarships, interview preparation, G-suite organizational skills, and more. I am also working as a BUILD tutor through the Public Service Center where I am empowering youth through reading...

Ivy (Jiayu) Fang

Class of 2022
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Jiayu Fang is a senior majoring in Sociology. She was born in China and moved to the U.S. with her mother and younger sister in 2017, after which she assumed the role of family translator and learned to navigate a foreign system with a language barrier. Hoping to get involved with local communities, she started to do volunteer work and found her passion in public services. Due to the experience of herself and those around her, she is particularly interested in issues related to mental health, children’s rights, gender and sexuality, and immigration. Jiayu has been part of the Chief...

Lauren Francisco

Class of 2026
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

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 community Sock Drive amongst other passion projects. Curious about society’s relationship with the government, Lauren began exploring her interests as an intern for Speaker Anthony Rendon’s district office, where she took part in organizing a Youth Leadership program focusing on educating the youth...

Socorro Galindo

Class of 2021
2020 Democracy Camp

Natalie Gonzalez

Class of 2022
2022 Democracy Camp Student Director
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2021 Democracy Camp

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 University. She is passionate about public service and issues regarding child welfare. She also believes deeply in the importance of using data to discover the truth behind systemic and structural problems within our institutions to more effectively advocate for change and develop sustainable solutions.

Martha Haddis

Class of 2024
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

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 communication skills, as well as actively been a pillar for culturally diverse communities. My major is intertwined with my career goals of working in the intersection of media and public policy. I am an advocate for organizations that will give back to my community and support underrepresented...

Nirvana Hannah

Class of 2025
2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Nirvana Hannah (She/Her)
Nirvana Hannah is a senior transfer student from Santa Ana, CA, majoring in political science and minoring in disability studies. As a disabled, low-income, queer woman raised in an underprivileged community, Nirvana is passionate about housing stability and disability justice. Her ultimate goal is to pursue a PhD in American Politics.