Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Abril Perez

Class of 2027
2026 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Abril Perez (she/her/ella) is a third-year History major at UC Berkeley and a first-generation student from Richmond, California. Raised in a low-income, immigrant household, Abril’s early experiences navigating structural inequity shaped her commitment to public service, education, and justice-centered leadership.

At UC Berkeley, Abril serves as a mentor with the NAVCAL Fellowship, supporting first-generation, transfer, and nontraditional students, many from POC and immigrant communities, as they navigate higher education and the “hidden curriculum” of elite institutions....

Jaileen Perez

2020 Democracy Camp Berkeley Fellow
Class of 2022

Angelo Raga

Class of 2025
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Angelo Raga (he/him)

Angelo Raga is an aspiring public servant and a fourth-year student majoring in political science. Growing up with friends disadvantaged by race and class and surrounded by talk of such increasingly prominent political issues as a rising cost of living and political polarization, he has long been interested in public service as a way to fight these issues. To those ends, he has previously worked as an intern for the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association and the Placer County Public Defender's Office. He also...

Jennifer Ramirez

Class of 2024
2024 Percy Undergraduate Grant
2023 Ken Burt Fellow
2023 Cal-in-Sacramento
2022 Washington Fellowship - Fall
2022 Democracy Camp Student 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...

Leticia Reyes

Class of 2024
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Leticia Michelle Reyes Moreno (she/her)

My name is Leticia Michelle Reyes, and I am currently in my fourth year at Cal majoring in political science. I am a first-generation college student, come from a low-income background, and am the daughter of undocumented immigrants. Growing up in California's Central Valley, I developed a passion for advocating for the rights of migrant farmworkers and undocumented immigrants, as well as bringing awareness to the devastating effects climate change has on the region. My aspiration is to leverage my academic knowledge and...

Natalia Rios

Class of 2025
2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Hi, I’m Natalia Rios (she/her/ella). I’m a first-gen, low-income, third-year transfer student from Las Positas Community College, majoring in Sociology at Cal. I’m passionate about public service, education reform, and business development, with a focus on equity and systemic change. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s in public policy to deepen my understanding of social systems and advance impactful changes in education and community development.
As the eldest daughter of immigrant parents, their resilience and work ethic inspire my drive to serve others and contribute to my...

Michelle Romero

Class of 2027
2026 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Michelle Romero is a scholar dedicated to serving her community. Her passion for policy and legislation sparked during the 2016 election after watching how mixed status families such as her own, were being discriminated against. Beyond immigration, she is deeply interested in women’s rights and safe, accessible education.

She is a firm believer that under-privileged voices should be uplifted. In her community college she promoted non-partisan student engagement in the polling booths and reformed the active shooter protocol; constantly advocating for student safety. At UC...

Lesly Silva Rosales

Class of 2028
2026 Democracy Camp Student Director
2026 Matsui Center Student Director
2026 Cal-in-Sacramento
2026 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Lesly Silva Rosales, is a first-generation Mexican-American student at UC Berkeley pursuing a major in Legal Studies. As a Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholar, she is passionate about immigration law and public service, driven by her commitment to uplift immigrant and working-class communities like the one that raised her.

Growing up as the daughter of Mexican immigrants, she witnessed firsthand the barriers that limit access to justice and opportunity. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career in immigration law, where she hopes to advocate for equitable policy reform and...

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...