Nouhamin Leoulekal, the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants, is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform, aiming to reshape the system to better serve those historically marginalized and excluded from legal relief. She is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers at the intersection of criminal justice and immigration, with a particular focus on expanding access to post-conviction remedies for Black and Brown communities.
At UC Berkeley, Nouhamin majored in Legal Studies with a minor in African American Studies. As a Legal Studies Honors...
Danielle Mitchell is a Fiat Lux scholar at the University of California, Berkeley studying Political Science. Coming from a first-generation background in Los Angeles, she developed an early interest in public policy and how national decisions shape the experiences of local communities.
Danielle is dedicated to building community and expanding access for Black students on campus. She serves as the President of the Black Pre-Law Association, where she leads initiatives focused on mentorship, professional development, and...
Janet Mendoza-Partida is a rising senior at the University of California, Berkeley studying Legal Studies and Chicanx/Latinx studies. She was born and raised in Watsonville, California by Mexican migrant agricultural workers. While in high school she volunteered at multiple elementary and middle schools around her community, leading her to understand the many disparities predominantly impacting students of color. Working with students in her community she realized the barriers in accessing adequate...
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...
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...
Placement:White House Internship Program, Office of Intergovernmental AffairsPlacement Location: Washington, DC
Carlos is a first-generation Latinx student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Chicanx Latinx Studies. Born and raised in the California Central Valley, he is the son and grandson of farmworkers. His paternal grandfather was in the temporary agricultural worker program known as the Bracero Program, and first came to the United States in 1952. His maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in...
Beck Tran is a second-generation Vietnamese Taiwanese American. They grew up with two immigrant parents, one of whom was a refugee from Vietnam, resulting in their early exposure to issues regarding immigration, language barriers, and racial discrimination. As an aspiring attorney who is studying Legal Studies and Asian American Studies in their undergraduate education, they are especially driven to improve issues regarding diverse representation in positions of power, social equity for ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities, and diversity in business.
Placement: California Health & Human Services Agency Placement Location: Sacramento, California
Raised in an immigrant household in Southern California, Allyson is passionate about creating solutions to health care challenges marginalized communities face. At an early age, Allyson’s father was diagnosed with a chronic health condition that required frequent interactions with the health care system. Through this experience, she became acutely aware of the high cost of health care and its disproportionate impact on BIPOC and low-income families....
Mia Verdin is a third 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, California to immigrant parents from Mexico. As the first in her family to attend university, she is a proud first-generation student. She is passionate about exploring equity in housing, public transportation and education. In addition, she has led initiatives that promote civic engagement and education within her community; especially among other young people...
