Community Engagement Student Fellowship - Youth Voice, Youth Vote (YVYV)
Fall 2023 CESF YVYV Student Fellows
Students from California campuses were selected to participate in LEAD California’s Community Engagement Student Fellowship (CESF) program, a 4-month initiative specifically designed to support student leaders advancing service, service-learning and community engagement at LEAD California member campuses throughout the state.
For more information, feel free to contact us at info@leadcalifornia.org.
BRANDONARENSON
CSU NORTHRIDGE
Brandon Arenson (he/him) is a Junior at CSUN, where he is a Political Science Major and is on the Forensics Team. A Spring 2023 Transfer from LA Valley College, Brandon was given the opportunity to learn in both a Community College and University environment, and through that opportunity was able to understand what the needs of each community is. Now that Brandon is at CSUN, he is committed to ensuring that students are passionate about civic engagement, and making changes in their communities through not only voting themselves, but educating others about voting as well. Brandon is looking forward to working with the CSUN community, and hopes to motivate others to use their voice & their vote in order to fight for desired changes in their communities.
DHRUVBAHL
CSU CHICO
Dhruv Bahl is a Senior majoring in Computer Science at California State University, Chico. Dhruv hopes to get an MBA in Economics in the foreseeable future. Dhruv grew up in two major cities like London, UK and New Delhi, India. Community engagement wasn’t a big part of everyone’s daily lifestyle. Dhruv hopes to work in civic engagement particularly in social justice and give back to the community and its people.
KAYABUCKLEY
SACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY
Kaya Buckley is a proud native of South Los Angeles and she is a passionate community advocate. She is pursuing a degree in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Pan-Africanism at Sacramento State. Kaya brings a unique blend of passion and purpose to her academic pursuits. Beyond books, Kaya enjoys going to the gym and channeling her boundless energy into inspiring others.
KAMILACAMPOS
CAL STATE LOS ANGELES
Kamila Campos is a fourth-year student at Cal State LA majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. She is a first-generation college student, with a background in education advocacy and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has a strong interest in public policy, and through LEAD California she hopes to initiate community engagement by informing others about the importance of civic engagement and education in order to promote a positive change in her community. When she’s not at school, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, trying new food spots with her friends, hiking, and traveling.
SOFIAEARLEY
UC SAN DIEGO
Sofia Earley is a second-year Political Science major with an intended double major in Communications at the University of California San Diego. Civic Engagement has always been Sofia’s driving force why she decided to major in Political Science and why she wants to go into Political Communications. Sofia is very thrilled to be a part of the Community Engagement Student Fellowship program and excited to work within her campus community to enact meaningful change.
VIRGINIAGIRITLIAN
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
Virginia Giritlian received a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from the San Francisco Art Institute, with a focus on Cinema Studies and Filmmaking. Working in the film industry for many years, and becoming a vice president of several production companies, Virginia returned to College of the Canyons to pursue a degree in Paralegal Studies. Currently, Virginia works with the Center for Civic Engagement and is a member of the Center’s Engage the Vote Action Team. In her quest to examine patent law, she stumbled upon the study of sustainable water and Atmospheric Water Harvesting. Virginia continues to delve into learning about alternative ways to provide potable water by harvesting it from the air, even in areas of low relative humidity.
WYNTONGLAPAGROSSKLAG
COLLEGE OF THE CANYONS
Wynton Glapa-Grossklag is a freshman at College of the Canyons, majoring in Political Science. He is acting president of the Civic Engagement Club and the Helping Us Become Club. He started his civic engagement activities during his senior year of high school, during which he was dual enrolled at College of the Canyons and participated in the Engage the Vote Action Team. Wynton is a proud graduate of the Sequoia School special education program, where he was recognized by the Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Foundation for outstanding success in high school. Wynton’s future goals include completing a BA and MA in political science and pursuing a career in environmental advocacy.
FATIMAJERONIMOVAZQUEZ
SACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY
Fatima Jeronimo-Vazquez, is a first-generation college student and a 4th year Child Development major in social and community context at Sacramento State. She is from Sacramento, CA and transferred from Los Rios Community college. Her goals after college include traveling and pursuing a master’s in Social Work. She is very excited to be part of CESF and cannot wait to meet and learn from everyone.
MITULKALRA
CSU NORTHRIDGE
Mitul Kalra is a senior at CSU Northridge pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Political Science. She serves as the Associated Students Chair of Legislative Affairs where she promotes political and voter engagement on campus. She also advocates for CSU students on systemwide and legislative levels. She is very passionate about keeping people around her informed and making sure students are aware of the resources they need to thrive. This year, Mitul is excited to work alongside CSUN Act Now to promote civic engagement.
ELIZABETHLOPEZ
UC SAN DIEGO
Elizabeth Lopez is a 3rd year at the University of California San Diego. She is double majoring in Political Science and History, as well as a minor in Education Studies. As a mom, a wife, and a full time student she is very excited to reach all communities and ensure everyone’s voices are heard. Elizabeth is an active student on and off campus as she has served for the California Justice Corps in helping self-represented litigants in different courthouses across San Diego. She has collected data through the United States Immigration Policy Center at UCSD. As well as serving across all UC’s through the Alliance Advisory Committee. As Elizabeth begins her pathway with the LEAD California Fellowship she is excited to give insights on how to improve upon Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
SERVANDOMELENDREZ
CSU CHICO
Servando Melendrez is a sophomore from Chico State studying Computer Animation and Game Development in hopes of working as a game designer for a company one day. Servando is currently working as a North State Ambassador at the college. Servando grew up in a rural community known as Westwood, California in Lassen County. Growing up here, Servando did not have the same opportunities that students in larger communities can take advantage of but that did not stop him from pursuing passions which may seem unconventional considering the perception of people from a small town that you don’t necessarily think game designer but here he is breaking expectation. Servando has the same philosophy on voting as he believes that no matter who you are, if you are able to vote you should! It’s important to let your voice be known and the sooner our youth can start voting the better.
ELMARNAVARRETESALVADOR
CAL STATE LOS ANGELES
Elmar Navarrete Salvador is a 1st year student at California State University, Los Angeles, majoring in political science. His choice to pursue this opportunity stems from his relentless desire to convey transformative changes driven to propel advancements for the low-income and proletarian community. Elmar believes in empowering marginalized communities and holding the government accountable for its actions. He emphasizes that true change begins when the people unite to confront the inequalities in this country; only then can we break the chains of injustice. He understands the need and looks forward to being the change he wants to see in this world.
MIAVERGNETTI
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
Mia Vergnetti is a sophomore studying Screenwriting and Political Science at Loyola Marymount University. Mia grew up right outside of Washington D.C. in Bethesda Maryland, and has been interested in politics and storytelling from a young age. She hopes to build a career telling stories that highlight the humanity of social issues. Mia has participated in several annual advocacy days for the Tourette Association of America where she has gotten to meet with her state representatives and their staff to discuss ongoing issues and to request funding. Having these experiences has made her see the importance of participating in electing officials that will impact the issues she cares most about.