Valley Legislative Intern Scholars Spring 2024

Huda Alazani – Fresno Office of U.S. Representative Jim Costa – is a senior at Fresno State majoring in Political Science with the goal of pursuing law school after obtaining her bachelor’s degree. She is also a president’s scholar with the Smittcamp Family Honors College, where she currently serves as the president for the Council of President’s Scholars. On campus, Huda is a member of clubs such as Pi Sigma Alpha, the League of Women Voters, and she serves as the Vice President of the Students for Palestinian Liberation. In addition, she also works as a student assistant at the Maddy Institute. Huda is passionate about serving her community and believes in providing opportunities, which she hopes to achieve by becoming an immigration attorney in the future. Through her internship, she hopes to provide valuable insight, become more involved locally, and be of service to her community.

Yeyfer Andrade – Kings County Administrative Office

Yesenia Barajas – Modesto Office of Assemblymember Juan Alanis – is a fourth-year, first-generation student at California State University, Stanislaus majoring in Political Science. She is from San Jose, California, and later moved to Modesto, California. Her passion for politics grew when she decided to participate in activities on campus under the leadership of CADEM. This included visiting classes to teach students the importance of voting and helping them register to vote. Knowing that she was doing something to make a difference, as small as it may be, led her to discover that she wanted to pursue a future in public service. During the Fall 2023 semester, she had the opportunity to serve as a Congressional Intern for the Panetta Institute of Public Policy. With this experience, she spent a semester in Washington D.C. in the office of Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44). At the U.S. Capitol, she had the opportunity to develop her leadership skills, grow her network, and explore more of her passion for politics. Before graduating, she wanted to intern in a state office to deepen her understanding of state governance and policy in the Central Valley. She wants to help create a better future for her family, friends, and community. When she graduates, she hopes to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration and pursue a career in public policy.

Jackson Bonnar – Visalia Office of Assemblymember Devon Mathis – is a sophomore at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, majoring in political science. Jackson was born and raised in Tulare, California and devoted himself to his academics with a strong passion for politics, law, & US history. After college he looks to go into the field of politics as a diplomat. He is currently President of College Republicans and board member of Turning Point USA at his school, and regularly volunteers his time to local groups and communities. Jackson is excited to be working with Mr. Mathis’s office to learn the ins and outs of local government, and making the Central Valley a better place.

Juan Carlos Lara – Fresno Office of Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula – is a graduate student at California State University, Fresno pursuing his Master’s in Public Administration. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 2022 from the University of California, Merced. Juan was born and raised in Fresno, CA and desires to pay forward his education not just for his family but for the Central Valley, a community that holds the same experiences and physical/mental struggles he grew up witnessing. Raised by Mexican immigrants, he experienced first-hand the struggles low-income, first-generation, and Latinos encountered. He grew up in a family with very little understanding and interest in government and civic engagement but understood fear would transcend that when policies threatened immigrants like his parents with no guarantee that they could safely or fairly work nor spend time outside their home without fearing deportation. Ultimately, this influenced Juan’s interest to study and gain a better understanding of politics and subsequently pursue an education in how to manage/lead in the public and nonprofit sectors, with the goal of expanding his personal/professional growth and learning from and with his community. Juan is a dedicated and passionate individual about public administration and community empowerment who wishes to gain firsthand experience within the local legislative system and work with other community members with the dream of strengthening and supporting underrepresented communities in the Central Valley.

Lorraine Mireles Vega – Office of Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria

Rashel Olvera – Office of Senator Anna Caballero – is a senior at California State University, Fresno actively pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Throughout her time at CSU Fresno, she has had the opportunity to be a part of many wonderful on-campus and off-campus organizations. For instance, she is incredibly proud to be a member of the National Political Science Honor Society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, as well as a UCLA law fellow. After college, she has the goal of obtaining a Juris Doctor degree and having a career in immigration, hoping to assist individuals in their process of becoming official U.S. citizens. Her goal is to simplify complex legal matters as much as she possibly can to increase the likelihood of success for her future clients. She is very excited and she optimistically looks forward to giving back to her home, the Central Valley.

Rocio Robles – Governor Gavin Newsom, Office of Planning and Research – is a third-year student at the University of California, Merced. She is pursuing a degree in Political Science. Rocio was raised in Bakersfield, California. Her biggest passion is being able to give back to her community and help those around her. She currently serves as a Senator At-Large for the Associated Students of UC Merced where she collaborates with others to ensure that students feel comfortable to use their voice and fosters a welcoming environment for all. Rocio has interned for former Assemblymember Rudy Salas where she learned the importance of public policy and state governance. Witnessing firsthand the impact of legislative decisions on the lives of her community reinforced her commitment to becoming an agent of positive transformation. She is excited to have the opportunity to learn and grow through interning in the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. After graduating, Rocio hopes to go to law school and become a public defender to continue helping her community, especially those from a marginalized community.

Camalah Saleh – Fresno City Council Member Tyler Maxwell – is a second-year at California State University, Fresno double majoring in Political Science and Communication. Camalah is a member of the Smittcamp Family Honors College. Camalah’s passion for local politics has been shaped by firsthand experiences of its direct impact on our daily lives and is looking forward to learning more about its process. On campus, Camalah serves as the president of the League of Women Voters student unit where she works with others to increase voter participation among college students. Additionally, she proudly represents her community as a delegate for Assembly District 31 and serves as the Communication Director for the Arab-American Caucus. Camalah has also had the experience of working on the political campaigns of Anna Caballero, Manpreet Kaur, and the No on C Coalition during the 2022 general election. Beyond her political involvement, Camalah also works as a student assistant for the Maddy Institute. After obtaining her bachelor’s, Camalah plans to attend law school to become an immigration attorney. Her goal is to give back to her community by one day establishing an immigration law firm in Sanger, CA, the town her family immigrated to when she was three.

Natalia Sanchez – Office of Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria – is in her last semester of her final year as a fourth-year political science major with a minor in sociology attending the University of California, Merced. She was born and raised in the Central Valley, more specifically, from Modesto and has gained an understanding on the issues within the Central Valley firsthand. The issues she has witnessed throughout her community have shaped her into the person she is today seeking out a career within the legal or government field. As she approaches graduation, she hopes to better serve her community with the skills she has learned with attending the University of California, Merced and through the various experiences she has had on campus and off campus. She has gained skills through her job as a Lead Student Assistant at UC Merced’s Recycling and Waste Center helping the school’s mission to zero waste. She has also gained amazing experiences as the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity President, Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) California Dream Network Intern, and as a volunteer in our University’s California Dream Resource Center. All these experiences have supported her goal to help individuals once she graduates, and hopes to work as an attorney or within public policy to ensure her community will be well-taken care of. She is excited to learn at Esmeralda Soria’s District Office in Merced and learn how constituent work within local politics works and learn how to best serve the Central Valley Community.

Gabriella Vides – Office of Kern County Supervisor David Couch — is in her second semester at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) while she obtains her Master of Public Administration degree. In May of 2023, she graduated from CSUB with her bachelor’s in Political Science, emphasizing American Politics and Power & Justice. After obtaining her master’s degree, her academic goal moves forward toward a doctoral degree in political science that will hopefully one day allow her to perform research in understanding political behavior in young people and how that is impacting politics within the United States. Being raised in Bakersfield, Gabriella has deep roots in this community, and she strives to be one of the people that actively makes it a better place for everyone.

Verania Vizcarra – Merced Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla – is a junior at the University of California, Merced majoring in Political Science. Verania is a first-generation student from Watsonville, California, a predominantly Latino community. Growing up she experienced first-hand the struggles low-income, first-generation, Latino, and women experience. Verania understood the disparity in resources that underrepresented communities faced. Her drive for social change has pushed her to become more active on campus by becoming the president of the Democrats at UC Merced and involving herself in local political campaigns. Through these experiences, Verania was able to make connections with organizations such as CADEMS and local politicians. She was able to develop her leadership skills and start creating her network. She is passionate about accessibility to housing, immigration rights, women’s rights, social justice, and the environment. She hopes to pursue a career in politics to help bring change to her communities and those alike.

Valley Legislative Intern Scholars Fall 2023

Aleace Greenleaf – Bakersfield Office of Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains – is an ambitious senior at California State University, Bakersfield, working towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Public Administration. Hailing from Bakersfield, California, Aleace is deeply passionate about political engagement, policy analysis, and community betterment. Drawing inspiration from her hometown, Aleace has actively involved herself in various endeavors aimed at creating positive change. As an intern at Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE), she delved into collaborative project development, creating impactful presentations, and fostering connections within SAFE’s network. Aleace’s dedication to community service is further reflected in her role as a Poll Clerk at the Kern County Elections Department, where she diligently ensured the smooth functioning of democratic processes. Her versatile background includes customer-focused roles at a major American retailer and compassionate work at the Bakersfield Animal Care Center. Aleace is confident that her work with the Maddy Institute internship program will provide her with indispensable skills and knowledge, paving the way for a successful career in policy and a deeper understanding of the legislative system.

Apryl Tovar – Kern County District 4 Supervisor Couch – is in her final semester at California State University, Bakersfield obtaining her Master of Public Administration degree. She has two undergraduate degrees from Union College in Schenectady, NY in Psychology and Anthropology. Apryl is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a passion for public administration and community empowerment. With a strong foundation in academia, Apryl has gained direct experience in various roles that highlight her analytical and administrative skills. As an Analyst Fellow in the City Manager’s Office, she demonstrated her commitment to improving municipal services and fostering community engagement. Her role involved providing invaluable administrative guidance, supporting data- driven projects, and compiling ad hoc research requests to inform strategic decision-making. Apryl’s vision for public service includes addressing inequity in education systems and through her work. She hopes to use her data utilization skills to improve public services and outcomes for Kern County residents overall.

Jose Robeldo – Fresno Office of U.S. Representative Jim Costa – is a student at California State University, Fresno. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 2019 from Fresno State and will be graduating with a Master of Public Administration this fall. Jose was born and raised in Fresno and wants to give back to the Central Valley by pursuing a career in California public service, utilizing his education and professional experience in education, government, and community relations. He has worked in the office of Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez, and has been a Migrant Education Counselor with Fresno Unified School District where he’s currently employed as a substitute teacher. By interning in the Fresno office of U.S. Representative Costa, Jose hopes to serve his community while also gaining valuable insight into the California government system to lay a foundation for his future career as a public administrator.

Brieanna Anderson – Fresno Office of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla – is a fourth-year student at the University of California, Merced, pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in English. Brieanna is originally from Folsom, California, and has always been passionate about public policy, foreign affairs, and government reform. In the past, she had the opportunity to intern for Capitol Weekly as well as Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria. At Capitol Weekly, she learned about public policy, local public figures, and state governance. In addition, interning for Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria taught Brieanna a lot about state agencies, the legislative process, and local government. This past summer, Brieanna also had the opportunity to intern for the California Strategic Growth Council, ultimately growing her network and working with different SGC programs. After graduating from UC Merced, Brieanna plans on attending law school to obtain her Juris Doctor degree. Brieanna is excited to intern for U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s Fresno Office and she hopes to learn more about local government.

Alyssa Cantu – Visalia Office of Assemblymember Devon Mathis – is a junior at California State University, Fresno majoring in Economics. She was born and raised in Visalia, California before moving to Fresno to continue her education. Alyssa has deep roots in the Central Valley since it’s not only her home but also home to her family and close friends. After college, she has goals to pursue a Masters Degree in Economics and have a career in public policy, focusing on environmental economics. Alyssa is passionate about water regulation, pollution control, and agriculture; and most of all, making the Central Valley an overall better place.

Hannah Rosica – Governor Gavin Newsom, Office of Planning & Research – is a second-year graduate student at California State University, Bakersfield where she is pursuing her master’s in public administration. As of Fall 2023 she will be working as an intern for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research. Hannah was first introduced to the career field in 2021 where she served as a Congressional Intern for the Panetta Institute for Public Policy. She spent a semester in Washington, DC where she worked as a congressional intern for Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-50). Following her time in the U.S. Capitol, she graduated with her degree in History in 2022, and decided to continue her education at CSU, Bakersfield. After completing her master’s program Hannah hopes to continue her career in public administration. She is passionate about researching issues pertinent to her community in Kern County such as youth tobacco use and hopes to have a hand in writing policy that will shape the future of her community.

Marco Florez – Fresno City Council President Tyler Maxwell – is a rising third year at California State University, Fresno. Marco is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Military Science. He is a cadet in the U.S. Army ROTC program and is the leading cadet recruiting operations officer. At Fresno State, Marco is committed to improving the campus by becoming the Senator of Social Sciences in Associated Students, Inc., as well as serving as a Governing Member in the Cal State Student Association, advocating for CSU students systemwide. He is Vice President of his fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha and is passionate for the fraternity’s philanthropic efforts with the partnership of Feeding America. After graduation, Marco plans to attend law school and become an attorney in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. Through this internship, he hopes to learn more about local politics, meet like-minded people, and help those in the community around him.

Noelia Lopez – Governor Gavin Newsom, External Affairs – a rising senior at the University of California, Merced. Noelia is majoring in sociology with a minor in political science. She was raised in Santa Maria, California. In her hometown, Noelia grew up with little to no recognition of her indigenous roots from Oaxaca. Because of this, she developed an interest in community advocacy, especially for marginalized communities, as she knew what it was like to be underrepresented. Noelia works as a student prevention assistant for the CARE Office, which focuses on prevention and intervention advocacy for different forms of gender-based violence. She is also a member of Phi Alpha Delta, where she currently holds the position of community service chair. Noelia also volunteers for the Services for Undocumented Students Resource Center. Overall, she is committed to helping others and creating change in her community. After graduating, she hopes to go to law school and become an attorney that represents survivors of gender-based violence. Noelia is very thrilled to be interning for the External Affairs Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. She looks forward to working and learning more about the daily operation of the office, public policy in the Central Valley, and policymaking.

Berania Vizcarra – Merced Office of Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria – is a junior at the University of California, Merced majoring in Political Science. Verania is a first- generation student from Watsonville, California, a predominantly Latino community. Growing up she experienced first-hand the struggles low-income, first-generation, Latino, and women of color experience. Verania understood the disparity in resources that underrepresented communities faced. Her drive for social change has pushed her to become more active on campus by becoming the president of the Democrats at UC Merced and a Political Science research assistant. Through these experiences, Verania was able to make connections with organizations such as CADEMS and Swing Left. She was able to develop her leadership skills and start creating her network. She is passionate about accessibility to housing, immigration rights, women’s rights, social justice, and the environment. She hopes to pursue a career in politics to help bring change to her communities and those alike.