Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Eric Zhu

Class of 2026
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Eric Zhu is a current second-year student at UC Berkeley intending to major in political economy. Coming from a struggling, low-income, single parent, immigrant household, he has witnessed the mother’s hardship in struggling to make a living for his and his sister's education in the United States. He has grown a great interest in supporting struggling low-income immigrant families, and other marginalized communities, in finding better economic opportunities in the US. Currently, he is working with Asian Immigrant Women Advocates in coordinating outreach...

Emely Ramirez

Class of 2024
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Rooted in the city of San José, Emely draws strength from her experiences supporting her immigrant parents in navigating life in the United States. Her childhood was shaped by the challenges posed by her mother's severe work injury, pushing Emely into a role of care and support. From accompanying her mother to medical appointments to translating legal documents, Emely developed invaluable skills that fueled her commitment to community service and advocacy.

Guided by dedicated teachers and community leaders, Emely honed her abilities and emerged as a community...

Carlos Santana

Class of 2025
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Carlos is a first-generation Latinx student at UC Berkeley, majoring in political science with a minor in Chicanx Latinx studies. Born and raised in the California Central Valley, he is the son and grandson of farmworkers. His paternal grandfather was in the temporary agricultural worker program known as the Bracero Program, and first came to the United States in 1952. His maternal grandparents immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s, and were fieldworkers before finding jobs as cannery workers in Thornton and Lodi, CA. His family history and passion for public...

Elia Wong

Class of 2026
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

I’m Elia and I’m originally from Los Angeles, CA. I am currently pursuing my degree in data science and economics, with a minor in public policy to tie the two fields together. My main career objective is to use quantitative methods/data analysis and economic theory to improve the efficacy of current government policies/programs as well as to create new ones. Although I am more than happy to dive into anything that involves policy and data, I’m particularly interested in housing in California, regional economic development, and sustainable government practices.

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Eamon Jahouach

Class of 2025
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Eamon Jahouach is a third-year student majoring in environmental economics and global studies. His main interests lie in transportation and climate policy. He hopes to work towards solutions for the climate crisis that promote equity and support the development of livable communities. He is interested in finding ways to improve government function to help deliver benefits to underserved communities with fewer delays and cost overruns.

He is currently an intern serving the people of his hometown at the Oakland Department of Transportation. He supports the department’s...

Trevor Messerly

Class of 2025
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Trevor is a junior transfer at Berkeley, majoring in political science with a minor in public policy. Trevor became interested in public service through family ties. Trevor is from a household of educators; with his mother being a former teacher, his brother being a public-school teacher, and his oldest sister being a public-school psychologist. Trevor has been practicing advocacy in the healthcare sector since high school, fighting for increased access to care for the bleeding disorder community which he is a part of. Trevor is interested in workers’ rights, healthcare,...

Zoe Herrera

Class of 2024
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Growing up in severe poverty, Zoe was determined to build a better life for herself. Born in California but raised in Mexico, she did not have the privilege of attending school after the 4th grade. Thankfully, Zoe's perseverance led her to find a way back to the states, where she attended a continuation school at the age of 16. In just two years, she was able to graduate high school and obtain a scholarship for a local community college in the Central Valley.

Zoe's own struggles with education have not only resulted in an immense appreciation for it, but have inspired her to...

Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows & Alumni

Andres Marquez

Class of 2025
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Andres has a strong passion for education and the law. Inspired by community activism by his parents, he hopes to similarly give back to the community that has given so much to him. While at Berkeley, Andres is involved as both a research assistant for the National Elections Across Democracy and Autocracy (NELDA) project while pursuing a B.A. in Political Science. Andres is also an editor for the Vagabond Journal at Berkeley, along with being involved with Policy Debate.

Amy Lee

Class of 2025
2024 Cal-in-Sacramento

Amy Lee is a current second-year majoring in Legal Studies with minors in Asian American & Asian diaspora studies and education. She hopes to attend law school with an aspiration to work as a public defender in the future. While always having an innate interest in the legal field, her specific passion for criminal justice and public defense began after being exposed to the harsh realities and inequalities of the criminal justice system and the carceral state through classes, extracurriculars, and the media. She hopes to represent or assist those who do not have access to legal...