Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Aiko Dabu is a first-generation college student born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area to Filipinx-immigrant parents. Growing up in a low-income BIPOC community, she witnessed numerous instances where her family and friends were subjected to deliberate underpayment, overwork, and emotional abuse by their clients and employers. Witnessing the enduring impact of such abuse on her own immigrant parents, Aiko developed a strong commitment to advocating for improved legal resources and accommodations to support vulnerable immigrant communities in the workplace.

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My name is Silas Kanady, and I am from the central coast city of Santa Maria, CA. Currently, I am a junior transfer student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a major in social welfare and a minor in public policy.

Before embarking on my academic journey, I dedicated my young adulthood to serving as a soldier in the Army. With combat deployments under my belt in both Iraq and Afghanistan, I had the privilege of honing my leadership skills while serving as a Sergeant in the legendary 101st Airborne Division. These experiences profoundly impacted me and forever altered my...

Leila Phillips is a first-generation transfer student at UC Berkeley majoring in political science. She was raised by a single mother who emigrated from Mexico and encouraged Leila’s academic journey throughout her life. Leila constantly looks for opportunities to use her academic background to benefit her community. On campus, Leila interns as a Student Assistant for the Transfer Student Center, helping facilitate transition courses for incoming transfer students. Interning with the Transfer Student Center allows Leila to fulfill her passion of contributing to one of the communities...

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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