Democracy Camp Berkeley

How to Apply to Democracy Camp

Application

The 2027 Democracy Camp application is due by Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 11:59pm.

The application includes:

Brief questionnaire One short answer section Two essay questions (250 words each) Resume Unofficial transcript(s) from all higher education institutions

Resume tips and sample resumes can be found on the Cal Career Center website.

NOTE: Prospective applicants are instructed to carefully review the...

Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Program Overview Students participate in a series of meetings with local and state leaders and gain exposure to different facets of public service: legislative paths, community organizations, local and state government, legal fields, research, and philanthropy. Students have opportunities to expand their network and form meaningful connections with one another and with public service professionals (many of whom are Cal alumni). The program provides professional development and skill-building workshops, such as a resume workshop, networking practice, and more. Participants...

Iris De Leon

Class of 2027
2027 Matsui Center Student Director
2027 Pathways to Federal Public Service
2026 Pathways to Federal Public Service
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Iris De Leon is a third-year Political Science major at the University of California, Berkeley, with a minor in Public Policy. Her academic and professional focus is on advancing labor justice and equitable access to education, specifically on their impacts on immigrant and working-class communities. She has gained experience in labor organizing and coalition building through her internships with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299. Through Local 3299, Iris helped build student solidarity,...

Democracy Camp

Democracy Camp is designed for Cal undergrads who are interested in enhancing our democracy through public service. Students can apply to one of two programs: Democracy Camp in Berkeley, the Matsui Center's alternative spring break program, or Democracy Camp in DC, a weeklong...

2026 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

April 27, 2026
Day 1: Monday 3/23/2026: "Hello DC in Berkeley!"

“What drives you to be here today?”

As I sit in the IGS Library, I think about my community. My family. Vulnerable immigrant populations. My system-impacted peers. Service and gig workers are living paycheck to paycheck. POC first-generation low-income youth impacted by inequitable institutional systems. The list goes on.

I quickly snap back to our director, Rubin, who is leading us in a group discussion. I look around at a room full of dreamers, all from different life backgrounds. I...

Christian Dieguez

Class of 2026
2026 Cal-in-Sacramento
2026 Ken Burt Fellow
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...

Emily Chamale

Class of 2027
2026 Matsui Local Government Fellowship
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Emily Chamale Hernandez (she/her)

Born in Guatemala and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Emily Chamale is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley double-majoring in Political Science and Ethnic Studies. Her upbringing in South LA, shaped by systemic underinvestment in immigrant and working-class communities, grounds her commitment to equity and public service. An Ethnic Studies class in high school deepened her political consciousness and sparked her passion for organizing. She further developed her advocacy through four years in the ACLU’s Youth Liberty Squad,...

Richard Ming Zeng

Class of 2028
2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2026 Pathways to Federal Public Service

Richard Zeng is a second-year Political Science major at the University of California, Berkeley, with a minor in Public Policy. Passionate about improving transportation infrastructure through the democratization of public policy, Richard has worked in various student-led policy institutes, creating policy briefs that focus on the creation of climate-conscious energy policy. Richard currently serves as the Executive of Legislation for the Associated Students of the University of California’s Senator Margaret Solomon, where he leads a legislative team that creates student...