Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

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...

Jackson Smith is a rising 5th year studying Political Economy and Business Administration. Born and raised in the Bay Area with strong family ties to California, he is excited to explore serving the state and its residents through a public service internship. He was inspired to enter a career in public service after witnessing the failures and limitations of governments to address critical social issues amidst the pandemic. His main interests lie in issues related to small businesses,...

Ayline Ruelas is a 22-year-old first generation college student. She grew up watching both her parents having multiple jobs to make ends meet. It wasn’t until she decided to take advantage of her education at community college despite feeling uncertain and lost whether education was the right path for her. She realized a common denominator with first generation-low-income students like herself, not having the ability to succeed at the same rate as other students. In effort to challenge these...

Amir Naranjo was born and raised in Oceanside, California, and is a junior transfer majoring in Sociology and minoring in Education. As a low-income, gay, Afro-Latino, raised by a single mother with 4 younger siblings, Amir experienced many hardships with his own identity and the instability of his family. Through all of these struggles, he learned the power of believing in oneself, igniting a spark that would manifest into his passion for bringing justice and hope to the many communities that...