Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service

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Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service The Matsui Center honors Robert T. Matsui, a graduate of UC Berkeley, who provided inspiration to many through his dedicated service in Congress. The Robert T.

Matsui served 26 years as a representative for Sacramento and California's Fifth Congressional district. Matsui Center for Politics & Public Service engages Cal students in public life through internships, public events, and the presence of distinguished campus visitors. In this way, the Center serves as a fitting legacy to Congressman Robert T. Matsui and his belief that public service is a noble profession that should be open to all, a commitment that made him one of California's most important and respected political figures for more than three decades. The Center is strictly nonpartisan.

We would like to introduce our Cal-in-Sacramento student director, Brandon Maskey!Brandon Maskey is a senior transfer an...
10/09/2026

We would like to introduce our Cal-in-Sacramento student director, Brandon Maskey!

Brandon Maskey is a senior transfer and second-generation Nepali-Chinese American at UC Berkeley, studying Political Science with minors in City & Regional Planning and Public Policy. Growing up in an immigrant household in the Bay Area, Brandon came to understand higher education and homeownership as fundamental pathways to upward mobility within his community.

After discovering a passion for student advocacy as a student at Diablo Valley College, Brandon became eager to champion affordable housing and students’ basic needs by sharing his lived experiences in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento. He has enjoyed channeling storytelling for legislative change.

As a 2026 Cal-in-Sacramento Fellow, Brandon interned at the Office of Assemblymember Mike Fong, where he participated in member briefings, conducted bill tracking and policy analysis related to higher education issues, and helped script, film, and edit Fong Fridays, a weekly video update highlighting the Assemblymember’s work in his district and Sacramento. Brandon was also proud to staff AB 467 through the Senate Education Committee. Aside from his work in the Capitol Swing Space, Brandon was grateful to attend events hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association (APICA) and Capitol LGBTQ Association (CQA) throughout his fellowship.

Brandon is excited to serve as the 2027 Cal-in-Sacramento Student Director. He is eager to lead by example and strengthen the cohort’s professional development through interactive learning and by cultivating belonging. On campus, Brandon currently serves as Chief of Staff to ASUC Transfer Representative Varsha Torpunuri, Senior Advisor to Senator Ryan Justice-Williams, and Chief External Relations Officer for the UC Berkeley Residence Hall Assembly.

In his free time, Brandon loves hiking with his transfer family, believing that “this is the year” the San Francisco 49ers will win their sixth Lombardi trophy, and relentlessly supporting the Golden State Warriors, Golden State Valkyries, San Francisco Giants, and San Jose Sharks.

We would like to introduce our Democracy Camp in Berkeley student director, Vanessa Mombrun!Vanessa is a third-year unde...
10/08/2026

We would like to introduce our Democracy Camp in Berkeley student director, Vanessa Mombrun!

Vanessa is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley and is a proud first-generation, Haitian-American student from Burbank, California. Coming from a multicultural background, she brings a deep appreciation for community, language, and connection into every space she occupies. She first discovered her passion for social justice in high school through her involvement in restorative justice programs aimed at disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline, as well as her service on the California Association of Youth Courts Youth Advisory Board. In addition, she dedicated time to supporting developmentally disabled students, reflecting her deep-rooted passion for helping others in meaningful ways.

Her commitment to advocacy and service continues at Berkeley, where she serves as the Director of Public Relations for the Black Pre-Law Association, working to help reduce systemic barriers to educational and professional pathways for Black students aspiring to enter the legal field. She is also a Peer Coordinator in the Student Learning Center’s Language Exchange Program, where she uses her love of language learning to foster belonging and connection among fellow students, and encourage cross-cultural awareness.

Looking ahead, she aspires to continue serving historically marginalized communities through a career in psychology, with a particular interest in community-based and culturally responsive care. She hopes to combine advocacy, mental health support, and education to address systemic inequities and expand access to healing resources for youth and families. Ultimately, she aims to be a source of empowerment and support, contributing to long-term change by uplifting voices and strengthening communities.

We would like to introduce our Pathways to Federal Public Service student director, Iris De Leon!Iris De Leon is a fourt...
10/07/2026

We would like to introduce our Pathways to Federal Public Service student director, Iris De Leon!

Iris De Leon is a fourth-year Political Science major at the University of California, Berkeley, with a minor in Public Policy. Her academic and professional focus is on advancing labor justice and equitable access to education, specifically on their impacts on immigrant and working-class communities. She has gained experience in labor organizing and coalition building through her internships with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 770 and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3299. Through Local 3299, Iris helped build student solidarity, leading to the passage of an Associated Students of the University of California strike fund. Which provided over 200 grocery bags to campus workers during their strike. She also works with the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, assisting with asylum intakes, initial work permit applications, Spanish and English translation between attorneys and clients and audio court hearing transcription. She seeks opportunities at departments such as the Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education to contribute to equitable policies that advance labor and educational access.

10/07/2026

HAPPENING TOMORROW: Meet Vanessa, our Democracy Camp in Berkeley student director, at the Democracy Camp Student Info Session 🏛️

Democracy Camp in Berkeley is open to all majors and years. Bring your questions for the student panel!

📅 Wednesday, October 7th
🕕 6:00 - 7:30 PM
📍 IGS Library, 109 Philosophy Hall
🎟️ Register via Eventbrite - link in bio

📌 Applications close Sunday, November 1st @ 11:59PM

10/06/2026

Meet Vanessa, our Democracy Camp in Berkeley student director, at the upcoming Democracy Camp Student Info Session 🏛️

Democracy Camp in Berkeley is open to all majors and years. Bring your questions for the student panel!

📅 Thursday, October 8th
🕕 6:00 - 7:30 PM
📍 IGS Library, 109 Philosophy Hall
🎟️ Register via Eventbrite - link in bio

📌 Applications close Sunday, November 1 @ 11:59PM

The Schaeffer Fellowship applications are due in less than a week! Swipe right to see a checklist of what is needed in o...
09/29/2026

The Schaeffer Fellowship applications are due in less than a week! Swipe right to see a checklist of what is needed in order to submit your application!!

📌 Deadline: Sunday, October 4th, 2026 (11:59 PM)

To apply, check out our website for further directions. Please properly prepare in order to give yourself the best chances at this opportunity!

We'd like to introduce the Matsui Center Student Ambassador for the 2026-2027 school year, Mia Verdin!Mia Verdin (she/th...
09/23/2026

We'd like to introduce the Matsui Center Student Ambassador for the 2026-2027 school year, Mia Verdin!

Mia Verdin (she/they/ella) is a fourth year and first-generation undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, studying Urban and Ethnic Studies. Proudly hailing from Santa Ana, CA, she is passionate about exploring restorative justice and community-oriented approaches to public policy, specifically within the realms of housing and transportation policy.
She first joined the Matsui Center as a 2025 Democracy Camp in DC fellow, where she was able to explore opportunities in federal public service while exploring Washington D.C. for the first time. She then returned to the program, serving as one of two 2026 Democracy Camp in DC Student Directors. In this role, she conducted outreach, selected the cohort, and was a peer mentor to 13 student fellows in the months leading up to and during the 9-day trip to Washington D.C. Additionally, she was selected as one of fifty Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service nationwide, where she completed a 10 week full-time legislative internship at the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. During her internship, she was able to get hands-on experience in housing and transportation policy, staffing San Mateo County Board President Noelia Corzo on policy items and initiatives pertaining to housing, transportation, and environment within the County and regionally.
As a previous participant of two Matsui Center programs, she brings great enthusiasm to her role as Student Ambassador, hoping to bring and guide students of diverse backgrounds through the opportunities that the Matsui Center has to offer.
She aspires to be a catalyst for transformative change in local policymaking. She is inspired by the resilience of her fellow community members and her parents’ encouragement to “¡écharle ganas!” to keep her motivated.

HAPPENING TOMORROW: Cal-in-Sac x Schaeffer Fellows Info Session 🏛️Cal-in-Sacramento: Spring coursework on California pol...
09/21/2026

HAPPENING TOMORROW: Cal-in-Sac x Schaeffer Fellows Info Session 🏛️

Cal-in-Sacramento: Spring coursework on California politics and policymaking, followed by an 8-week summer residency and public service internship in Sacramento. Free housing and a modest living stipend included.

Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service: A 10-week local, state, or federal government internship, a 3-day professional conference in Washington, DC. $6,000 living stipend included.

Both programs are open to all majors. Bring your questions!

📅 Tuesday, September 22
🕕 6:00 - 7:30 PM
📍 IGS Library, 109 Philosophy Hall
🎟️ Register via Eventbrite - link in bio

📌 Applications close Sunday, October 4 @ midnight

Applications for Democracy Camp in Berkeley are open. 🏛️ Here's what the program involves before the November 1 deadline...
09/17/2026

Applications for Democracy Camp in Berkeley are open. 🏛️ Here's what the program involves before the November 1 deadline. 👇

Democracy Camp in Berkeley is the Matsui Center's alternative spring break program: four days on campus over Berkeley's spring break (Monday, March 22 - Thursday, March 25, 2027). Participants meet with local and state leaders and get exposure to different sides of public service--legislative paths, community organizations, local and state government, legal fields, research, and philanthropy. Past cohorts have met with notable individuals such as John Bauters (Emeryville City Council member and former Mayor), staff from the California Immigrant Policy Center, as well as the CA Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs.

The week also includes professional development and skill-building workshops, such as a resume workshop and networking practice, plus a field trip to Sacramento to meet with professionals in the state capital.

There's no cost to participate. The program covers meals for all four days, transit to Sacramento, and learning materials. Personal expenses like spring break housing and professional clothing are not covered.

Democracy Camp is open to all majors and all years, including transfer students and seniors graduating in May 2027. Students need to be enrolled at Berkeley in Spring 2027, available in person for the full week, and able to attend a cohort welcome event and orientation during the spring semester. The program is especially recommended for underclassmen and first-year transfer students who are still discerning their career goals in government and public service.

Democracy Camp in Berkeley
📅 Program Dates: March 22 – 25, 2027
📌 Application Deadline: Sunday, November 1, 2026 @ 11:59PM

Visit the link in our bio to apply.

09/15/2026

Want to know how you can turn your interest in public service into hands-on experience? Join the Black Pre-Law Association and the IGS Matsui Center on September 28th, 2026, for an evening focused on public service opportunities at the IGS Matsui Center!

Come hear about the IGS Matsui Center's fellowship and experiential learning programs, including opportunities to work in government, gain experience in public policy, and explore different pathways into public service.

Whether you're already pursuing a career in public service or simply curious about what's out there, this is a chance to learn more, ask questions, and connect with the programs that can help you get there.

BPLA x IGS Program Info Session
📅 Monday, September 28, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 The Harris Room, Philosophy Hall
Philosophy Hall, Room 119
Berkeley CA 94720

Light refreshments and snacks will be provided!

Learn more about:

Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowship
Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Local Government Service
Pathways to Federal Public Service Fellowship
Democracy Camp in Berkeley
Washington Fellowship (UCDC)

RSVP using the QR code on our flyer!

Address

117 Moses Hall, MC 2370
Berkeley, CA
94720

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