Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Anna Maria Diaz

Class of 2023
2024 Percy Undergraduate Grant
2023 Schaeffer Fellowship
2023 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Anna is passionate about serving underserved communities through the lens of the law and legal system. As a Berkeley Peter E. Haas Public Service Leader, she worked for Bay Area JusticeCorps, where she helps self-represented litigants navigate the legal system by providing legal information under the supervision of attorneys. Now, with the Public Service Center’s support she works an as Undergraduate Intern at Marin County Public Defender’s Office. She also is a Student Researcher at the Human Rights Center Investigations Lab at Berkeley Law. Currently, Anna also works as a Law Clerk at a...

Helen Pei Phun

Class of 2024
2024 Democracy Camp in DC
2023 Cal-in-Sacramento

Helen Phun is a junior from Sacramento, CA, majoring in Media Studies and minoring in Political Economy. She is a first-generation Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant from China and the first in her family to attend college. Growing up in an immigrant household in a low-income and diverse neighborhood guides her values and advocacy. Helen is interested in increasing equity within socio-economically disadvantaged communities. She is most passionate about issues of education, accessible transportation, increasing social welfare, and immigration.

Before transferring to Cal, Helen...

Daniel Bui

Class of 2023
2023 Schaeffer Fellowship
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento

Daniel Bui is currently a fourth year majoring in Political Science with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice. Born in Oakland to two Vietnamese refugees, he has experienced hardships faced by working-class households, communities of color and refugees in the area. With so many aspects of his life being shaped by government programs and initiatives, he holds a deep passion for exploring public policy and governance—particularly in areas regarding affordable housing, education equity, and socioeconomic mobility. Daniel hopes to one day serve and connect marginalized communities with...

2022 Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

2023 Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Jocelyn Villalobos

Class of 2022
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento
Placement: Placement Location: Sacramento, California

Jocelyn Villalobos is a first-generation senior majoring in Social Welfare and minoring in Education. Prior to transferring to UC Berkeley, Jocelyn was the Student Trustee of the Contra Costa Community College District and a student intern for the City of Pittsburg Digital Office for New Americans. She collaborated with the City’s Mayor and staff to create a website for the new program and fabricated a legal resource list for undocumented residents.

At Berkeley, she was...

Nathalie Guillen

Class of 2022
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento
Placement: Placement Location: Sacramento, California

Nathalie Guillen is a Latindigenous student studying Legal Studies and Public Policy. She was born and raised in San Francisco, growing up in a single-parent household headed by her mother (an immigrant from Peru) in the supportive-housing development on Treasure Island. Her low-income, first-gen status has played a major role in shaping her perspective regarding economic and racial justice and has heavily influenced her professional trajectory. Nathalie’s passion for social justice stems from...

Riley Thompson

Class of 2024
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento
Placement: Placement Location: Sacramento, California

Riley Thompson (she/they) is an undergraduate at UC Berkeley studying Political Science, Rhetoric, and Public Policy. They are passionate about policy and legislation, which they were introduced to in high school through a program called Youth and Government (Y&G). Now, as a staff member for Y&G, they are particularly interested in issues related to youth and are committed to empowering youth voices. This passion has resulted in their participation in a research project focused on...

Bailey Henderson

Class of 2023
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento
Placement: Placement Location: Sacramento, California

Bailey Henderson is a junior studying Political Science and Global Studies. He was born and raised in Tracy, CA right outside of the bay area where he first experienced how politics disproportionately affects those in his community. Coming from a small town in the valley, he understands how the issues of those on the periphery can often be neglected and ignored by those in power, especially at the state level. He is most passionate about issues of education, affordable housing, and...

Isabel Cholbi

Class of 2022
2022 Cal-in-Sacramento
Placement: Placement Location: Sacramento, California

Isabel Cholbi is a UC Berkeley senior studying Political Economy. Her interests mainly lie in labor law and policy. She would like to pursue a career in public service where she can advocate for the rights of American workers and fight to address the injustices of the US labor system. In fall 2021, Isabel spent a term abroad at the University of Barcelona, which has given her an international perspective on government and society.

Isabel has previously interned with government offices and...