Mia Verdin is a second year undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, studying Urban Studies and Ethnic Studies. She was born and raised in the city of Santa Ana, CA to immigrant parents from the Mexican states of Zacatecas and Querétaro. As the first in her family to attend university, she is a proud first-generation student. She is passionate about advocating for social justice, as well as promoting civic engagement and education within her community; especially among other young people. She discovered this passion...
Rebekah is a fourth-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies with a focus on American Politics.
As a Latina student from Los Angeles County, Rebekah has a particular interest in voting rights for marginalized communities and government transparency work. She is currently pursuing these interests as a Legislative Intern for California Common Cause, a nonprofit centering government transparency and civic engagement.
In the summer of 2023, Rebekah interned in the Office of Congresswoman Grace...
Celina Buncayo is a first-generation Filipina student at UC Berkeley majoring in Political Science. Born and raised in the Philippines, Celina understands the importance of political empowerment and representation in uplifting underserved communities. Her lived experiences as an immigrant and first-gen inspire her to pursue public service as a leader that advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Celina is passionate about research, community organizing, and civic engagement. In Summer...
Tatiana Butte, a Geography Major with a Minor in Public Policy, is dedicated to empowering individuals and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities in environmental justice. A first-generation Afro-Latina, Tatiana grew up in Southeast San Diego in a single-parent, Caribbean-immigrant household under challenging circumstances. Throughout her life, Tatiana has shown her exemplary leadership talents: from heading her high school JROTC battalion to advocating for outdoor equity and environmental education programs for Black and Brown youth to being a student leader...
As an undocumented individual, growing up I faced a lot of struggles. I came to this country as a child, not knowing the obstacles that being undocumented would create for my future. After high school, there were not many options for me as I faced a new life as a single, undocumented mom at the age of 17 years old. Since then, I worked various jobs in which I often saw people of my community get taken advantage of due to their undocumented status by the employers, as well as by our criminal and immigration systems. I often felt frustration more...
Passionate about the intersection of environmental and social justice, Naydelin Chimil, an indigenous woman majoring in society and environment, is a recent transfer student. Fueled by firsthand experiences of environmental and social injustice in her community, she actively advocates against systemic racism. With a relentless curiosity and commitment to public service, Naydelin contributes a unique perspective to public policy. As a former Youth City Council Member for City District 1 of Los Angeles, she brings a passion for further learning about...
Christian Dieguez is an ambitious third year student studying Political Science with a minor in Public Policy. Being raised in Los Angeles, California, Christian has become passionate about creating solutions to immigration challenges, primarily in obtaining citizenship and keeping families together, and custodial issues in family law. Christian has become devoted to becoming an advocate and representative for low-income disadvantaged communities that undergo legality issues. Christian is a part of many on-campus communities such as Puente, NAVCAL, Kappa Alpha Pi, and the Matsui...
Daniela Franco is a resilient first-generation college student at UC Berkeley who was born and raised in East Los Angeles. While growing up, she frequently witnessed Latinx laborers criminalized, struggled with financial security, and navigated an underfunded educational system. Through these experiences, Daniela became passionate about uplifting individuals negatively impacted by the criminal justice system, increasing financial resources for low-income families, and supporting minorities in their access and success in higher education. Now at UC Berkeley,...
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.
Irene Kou is a junior at UC Berkeley majoring in Legal Studies. Growing up as a first-generation, Asian American student living in a low-income community, she wants to further her understanding of the challenges she and others have faced first-hand. Through this past summer, she served as StudentDirector for Cal-in-Sacramento and interned at the Federal Defender’s Office. She also researched the generational differences in Asian communities using Holistic versus Western...
