Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Paola Castellanos Martinez

Class of 2025
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow

Paola Castellanos Martinez (She/Her)

Paola Castellanos Martinez is a first-generation Latina student at UC Berkeley majoring in Political Science and Chicanx Latinx Studies. Raised in the San Gabriel Valley and daughter of two working-class parents, she is motivated by her experiences of growing up in an underfunded community to address issues surrounding prison, housing, labor, and immigration reform.

In her last year at UC Berkeley, she focused her thesis on studying the relationship between being an undocumented student to...

IGS Diversity and Entrepreneurship Initiative

The Diversity and Entrepreneurship Initiative

The Diversity and Entrepreneurship Initiative expands Berkeley undergraduate research, advocacy and experiential learning focused on the political and economic challenges faced by diverse entrepreneurs in California.

About the Fellowship

The Diversity and Entrepreneurship Fellowship supports rigorous undergraduate research on topics related to POC- and women-owned small businesses in California. Each year, the Matsui Center selects up to 10 students from the incoming...

Joy Ruppert

Class of 2027
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Joy Ruppert (She/Her)

Joy Ruppert is a Chinese American transracial adoptee studying Political Science with minors in Ethnic Studies and Politics, Philosophy, and Law. Born in San Diego, Joy has been an advocate for educational opportunities and equal representation in both school and political systems. Growing up in predominantly white spaces, Joy understands what it feels like not to have a seat at the table or to believe that one can make a meaningful impact in their community. Motivated by this experience, Joy...

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...

Christina Velazquez

Class of 2025
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Christina Velazquez Martinez is a first generation Latina from Laton, California. Growing up in Central California Christina became aware of educational spaces and opportunities to advance herself and her fellow community.


She currently is a 4th year student at UC Berkeley double majoring in Social Welfare and Educational Sciences. At Cal Christina is a facilitator of Muxeres Activas En Letras y Cambio Social (MALCS) since 2022. Creating syllabuses, leading discussion circles, and connecting first generation Latine, Afro-Latine, Indigenous, and gender non...

Delina Melaku

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Golden State Fellow

Currently working to earn a degree in Political Science and History with a minor in Public Policy. As a student, I have years of organizing and leadership experience doing work on student advocacy and equity in education. I am currently a financial aid caseworker in the Students Advocates office and I also do casework at the Basic Needs Center at UC Berkeley.

After undergrad, I plan to pursue a PHd in Political Science and study political situations in sub-Saharan Africa. I believe this field is severely understudied and misunderstood, especially with the lack of Black/African...

Emily Zambrano

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Emily Zambrano (She/Her)

Emily Zambrano is a third year Mexican-American, first-generation student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Policy. Born and raised in the San Joaquin Valley to a family of proud and dedicated immigrants, Emily is passionate about a career in public service with the aim to make a difference in the lives of members of her community. Her time at UC Berkeley has nurtured a passion for advocacy, the intersection between policy and governance, and well prepared her for her time as a Cal-...

Yecenia Perez

Class of 2025
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Diversity & Entrepreneurship Fellow

Yecenia Perez (She/her)

Yecenia is a first-generation student at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Legal Studies and minoring in Public Policy. Raised in a low-income family of six in Los Angeles, California, Yecenia’s lived experiences have fueled her passion for social justice and dismantling inequities in education and economic opportunity. Experiencing firsthand the lack of resources in public schools, she sought mentorship from nonprofits that helped her achieve her goal of becoming one of the first in her family to attend college and...

Angie Castellon

Class of 2025
2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Student Director
2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2025 Golden State Fellow
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Angie Castellon (she/her)

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...

Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows & Alumni