Matsui Center Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows

Sacramento Partners

For 50 years, the Cal-in-Sacramento program has helped prepare our state's future leaders for careers in public service. Help us train the next generation!

Every year, the Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service at UC Berkeley sends 30 undergraduate students to Sacramento to complete highly substantive public service internships. Before commencing their internships, Fellows are required to take a 3-unit spring semester course on California politics, policy, and governance, which is designed to train and prepare...

Cal-in-Sacramento Fellows & Alumni

Karla De La Cruz

Class of 2025
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Karla De La Cruz (She/Her)

Karla De La Cruz is a 1st-generation junior pursuing her bachelor's degree in sociology. She is part of various campus communities such as EOP, NAVCAL, USP, and E&I. Karla's interests include researching farm workers and the socioeconomic determinants influencing health disparities in northern California. Beyond academia, Karla envisions leveraging her education in sociology to empower her undocumented community by challenging systemic oppression through legal advocacy. She has aspirations of...

Kaia Kotero

Class of 2027
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Kaiana Kotero (She/Her)

Born into a modest family of six, Kaiana’s upbringing inspired a community-centric mindset that manifested into a career in law. Double majoring in legal studies and psychology, she hopes to explore the intersections of child development, education, and family-law policy. From an early age, she witnessed firsthand how involvement in the family court and tenant system can lead to long-lasting turmoil and struggle, which encouraged her to pursue organizations and initiatives that prioritize...

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...

Joshua De Miguel

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Joshua De Miguel (He/Him)

Joshua is a first-generation, junior transfer student. His interest in public service was sparked by his family, with his mom working as an EMT. From this grew a strong desire to also help communities directly, but through developing policy in the state legislature. Following a non traditional path, from a community where opportunities are limited, Cal in Sac is an exciting beacon of hope for him to not only prove himself and what he is capable of, but to more importantly learn from meaningful experiences...

Jishan Jiang

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento

Jishan Jiang (She/Her)

Jishan Jiang is a third-year student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in Legal Studies and Data Science, with a minor in Education. She is passionate about the intersection between policy, technology and educational equity. Her research interest revolves around learning design, curriculum development and educational policies that prioritizes marginalized or underrepresented students’ experience. With aspirations to become an educator and researcher, Jishan hopes to harness the transformative power of...

Janet Mendoza-Partida

Class of 2025
2025 Democracy Camp in DC Student Director
2025 Democracy Camp in DC
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2024 Schaeffer Fellowship
2023 Democracy Camp in DC

Janet Mendoza-Partida (She/They)

Janet Mendoza-Partida is a rising senior at the University of California, Berkeley studying Legal Studies and Chicanx/Latinx studies. She was born and raised in Watsonville, California by Mexican migrant agricultural workers. While in high school she volunteered at multiple elementary and middle schools around her community, leading her to understand the many disparities predominantly impacting students of color. Working with students in her community she realized the barriers in accessing adequate...

Emily Chamale

Class of 2026
2025 Cal-in-Sacramento
2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley

Emily Yazury Chamale Hernandez (she/her)

Born in Guatemala and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Emily's experiences have shaped her into a driven and passionate advocate for positive change. She is a first-generation student at UC Berkeley, pursuing a double major in political science and ethnic studies. Growing up in South LA, she observed the inadequate resources her community received. During her freshman year of high school, an Ethnic Studies class deepened Emily's connection with her history and identity, revealing a global cycle of enduring injustices...

Christina Velasquez

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...