Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Angelo Raga

Class of 2025
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Angelo is a third-year student majoring in political science. Growing up surrounded by talk of such increasingly prominent political issues as a rising cost of living, political polarization, and climate change, he has long sought an entrance into public service to learn how he can do his part to fight these issues. In the past, he has been involved in his community through his high school student council and his time volunteering to tutor and mentor at-risk elementary children at The Leaven. Being a commuter to Berkeley, however, he has struggled to find the connections and...

Jennifer Ramirez

Class of 2024
2024 Percy Undergraduate Grant
2023 Cal-in-Sacramento
2022 Washington Fellowship
2022 Democracy Camp in DC Student Co-Director
2022 Democracy Camp in DC
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

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 assimilate, obtain basic needs, and become financially stable. The systematic barriers that limit the upward mobility of historically marginalized communities propelled her to become an advocate in her local community, and pursue a career in public service. After being selected to attend Harvard Kennedy...

Ayline Ruelas

2022 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2022

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 the right path for her. She realized a common denominator with first generation-low-income students like herself, not having the ability to succeed at the same rate as other students. In effort to challenge these statistics, she began to advocate for herself in her journey through higher education....

Kassandra Ruiz

2023 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2024

My name is Kassandra Ruiz and I am a third year majoring in Media Studies. On campus, I am the Director of Finance for The Bearettes, a majorette style dance team, where I network with donors and fundraise for our team. I am also part of the Latino Business Student Association Internal Affairs committee where I assist with events, and build relationships and community with members.

Since a young age, I have always been interested in resource accessibility. Coming from a low-income, single parent, Nicaraguan household, I understood the importance of holding...

Esteban Salazar

2020 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2021

Maxwell Stern

2023 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2025

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 Attorney Justice Academy, and an internship with the City of Oakland Mayor’s office. At UC Berkeley, he is involved with BridgeBerkeley and the Berkeley Dialectic. Maxwell lives in a Berkeley student co-op.

Robson Swift

Class of 2022
2022 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2022 Schaeffer Fellowship
Placement: Bay Area Air Quality Management District Placement Location: San Francisco, California

Robson is a rising senior double majoring in Sociology and Political Science. He wants to either become a lawyer or work in government, but in any career path Robson hopes to participate in public service and improve the community around him. Robson' s passion for public service began in high school when he ran anti-LGBT bullying workshops at his high school. That experience lead him to advocate for student voice in his district...

Somdeng Danny Thongsy

2023 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2024

My name is Somdeng Danny Thongsy, I am a 1st-gen, low-income, transfer student from Laney College. I am also a system-impacted community leader. I’m majoring in Sociology in my senior year. I'm a part of many communities on campus, such as Underground Scholar, Nav Cal, DSP, HOPE Scholar, Peter E. Haas PSC Leader, and more.

I am currently a Faith Organizer for an interfaith community-based organization called the Interfaith Movement For Human Integrity.

For my studies in Sociology, I hope to bridge both my...

Victor Vasquez

2020 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2021

Hildeberto Venegas

2022 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2022

Hildeberto Venegas is a fourth year transfer student majoring in Political Economy and minoring in Public Policy. He was born in Oaxaca, Mexico but grew up in Napa, California after his family decided to immigrate to the US in 2008. The hardships his family and community experienced during the Great Recession inspired him to learn about economics, with the goal of one day being able to help alleviate the challenges low-income and immigrant families face during financial downturns. Hildeberto is passionate about immigrant rights, immigration law, rights of senior citizens...