Madhumitha (Madhu) Krishnan, a native of the East Bay, studied Political Science and History at UC Berkeley with a focus on comparative politics and the history of law and government. Madhu wrote her History senior honors thesis on the Madras Torture Commissioner’s Report and the origins of colonial policing in South Asia. Madhu has extensive research experience, working with professors in the Political Science Department, the Center for Politics and Development, the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at the UC Hastings School of Law, and most recently with the Indian Police Foundation...
Haazim Amirali— born and raised in the San Fernando Valley—cultivated a deep interest in his community and public policy starting in high school with the California YMCA’s Youth and Government program. Three years later, he worked on Katie Hill’s congressional campaign and then in her office during the summer of 2019. One of the issues he helped address was the closing of the Aliso 1Canyon Gas Well, which had devastated his family/community in 2016. At UC Berkeley, Haazim double majored in History and Political Science, writing honor theses in both majors. On the UC Berkeley campus, Haazim...
Aurora Lopez has always seen education as a way for her and others in her community to get ahead in life. As a transfer student from community college to UC Berkeley, Aurora worked hard to overcome many challenges that she faced growing up as a child of a 15-yearold single mother from an immigrant family. Living in a house with 14 other people, Aurora often had to take responsibility for the education of her brother and cousins, at the same time she carved out enough space and time to excel at community college and then UC Berkeley. At UC Berkeley, Aurora majored in Political Science with...
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento Fellow & 2022 John Gardner Fellow
Class of 2022
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....
The John Gardner Public Service Fellowship Programselects three Fellows from the graduating class of UC Berkeley and provides each a $47,000 stipend to work in the governmental or nonprofit organization that most closely fits their public sector interests. Fellows are matched with a senior-level mentor...
Placement: Council on Criminal Justice Placement Location: Remote
Elliott Lee Masouredis was born and raised in Oakland, CA, and transferred to UC Berkeley having completed associates degrees in the Administration of Justice at Merritt College and Political Science at Berkeley City College. Raised by a single mother, Elliott learned at an early age how to build and rely on support from his broader community. Through this support, Elliott developed a deep commitment to his community in Oakland which has guided his scholarship and public service...
Placement: Oakland Museum of California Placement Location: Oakland, California
Rebecca Jacobson (she/her) was born in Minot, North Dakota, but spent most of her childhood in Southwestern Germany because of her parents’ military service. Before coming to UC Berkeley, Rebecca worked at the local Boys and Girls Club of America and taught at the local elementary school through her school’s Career Practicum program. At UC Berkeley, Rebecca majored in Sociology with a focus on welfare and education. Outside of her academic studies, Rebecca worked as a...
Having earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from Stanford University and his doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley, John William Gardner launched a truly exceptional career in public service. He ultimately served under six presidents, most prominently as Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare under President Lyndon Baines Johnson between 1965 and 1968.
As Secretary of HEW, Gardner successfully implemented a wide range of Great Society programs targeting the elimination of poverty and racial injustice. He upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1964...
The John Gardner Public Service Fellowship Program selects three Fellows from the graduating class of UC Berkeley and provides each a $47,000 stipend to work in the governmental or nonprofit organization that most closely fits their public sector interests. Fellows are matched with a senior-level mentor...