Democracy Camp Berkeley

2025 Democracy Camp Info Session

September 18, 2024 6:00pm - 7:30pm Are you a UC Berkeley undergraduate student who is driven to serve others and be a change-maker? Seeking a career path to public service? Attend our Democracy Camp info session to learn more! 2025 DEMOCRACY CAMP IN BERKELEY

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2024 Democracy Camp Info Session

September 19, 2023 6:30pm - 8:00pm Are you a UC Berkeley undergraduate student who is driven to serve others and be a change-maker? Seeking a career path to public service? Attend our Democracy Camp info session to learn more!
2024 DEMOCRACY CAMP IN BERKELEY


Application Deadline: Sunday 11/5 at 11:59pm

Eligibility: Must be a registered UC Berkeley undergraduate student in Spring 2024 (seniors who will graduate in May 2024 are eligible). All years and all majors...

2023 Democracy Camp Info Session

October 13, 2022 6:30pm - 8:00pm Are you a UC Berkeley undergraduate student who is driven to serve others and be a change-maker? Seeking a career path to public service? Attend our Democracy Camp info session to learn more!
2023 DEMOCRACY CAMP IN BERKELEY


Application Deadline: Sunday 11/6 at 11:59pm

Eligibility: Must be a registered UC Berkeley undergraduate student in Spring 2023 (seniors who will graduate in May 2023 are eligible). All years and all majors welcome....

2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

July 16, 2025
Luis Suarez
Day 1: Monday 3/24/2025

My morning began with a mix of excitement and curiosity as I made my way to the Matsui Center at UC Berkeley. I felt an undeniable energy in the room, a sense that this was the beginning of something meaningful. I found myself chatting with new faces during breakfast, which featured some delicious bagels topped with cream cheese, fresh fruit, and warm coffee. It was a perfect icebreaker and set a welcoming tone. In those early moments, I connected with people like Natalia and Richard, who, like me, are drawn to the intersections of public service,...

2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

April 15, 2024
Martha Haddis
Day 1: Monday 3/25/2024

We kicked off Democracy Camp with breakfast, some warm-up activities, and a rundown of our schedule. Anticipation buzzed as we geared up to welcome our first guest speaker, Anya Ku. Anya is a proud double Cal alum, earning her J.D. with pro bono honors, and B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley. Anya currently serves as a Neighborhood Law Corps Attorney in the Affirmative Litigation, Enforcement and Innovation Unit for the Oakland City Attorney’s Office. She gave extensive context and insights about...

Student FAQ

Have a question about the Matsui Center or IGS? Here are some common questions we receive from students.

Don't see the question you're looking for? Reach out to igs@berkeley.edu or matsuicenter@berkeley.edu.

Lara Zangana

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Lara Zangana (she/her)

Lara Zangana is a first-generation undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in Society and Environment and Conservation and Resource Studies. With a strong passion for equitable business practices, innovative energy solutions, and cutting-edge technology, Lara understands that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand in addressing today’s pressing challenges. As a Climate and Youth Engagement Fellow with the Student Environmental Resource Center (SERC) at UC Berkeley, she contributed over...

Emily Chamale

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Emily Yazury Chamale Hernandez (she/her)

Born in Guatemala and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Emily's experiences have shaped her into a driven and passionate advocate for positive change. She is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in political science and ethnic studies. Growing up in South LA, she observed the inadequate resources her community received. During her freshman year of high school, an Ethnic Studies class deepened Emily's connection with her history and identity, revealing a global cycle of enduring injustices...

Cristal Amezcua

Class of 2025
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Cristal Amezcua (she/her)

Cristal is a first-generation Latine student at UC Berkeley, majoring in Political Science. She was raised in the California Central Valley and attended College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California prior to transferring to Cal. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants from the states of Michoacan and Zacatecas. Her identity of being a Latina and an unconventional college student is what makes her passionate about advocating for educational equity and immigration reform policy.

In Summer 2024, Cristal had the...

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...