Community Engagement Student Fellowship - Youth Voice, Youth Vote (YVYV)
YVYV Overview
Students from California campuses will be selected to participate in LEAD California’s Community Engagement Student Fellowship-Youth Voice, Youth Vote (YVYV) 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, focusing on voter engagement and youth voice.
Upon successfully completing a term of service of at least 35-50 hours, students receive a $500 scholarship from LEAD California. Students are engaged in providing direct service to the community or supporting a service-learning program, or both. Students are involved in addressing every major issue confronting California and beyond – from access to and success in higher education to economic development, health disparities to homelessness and poverty.
For more information, feel free to contact us at info@leadcalifornia.org.
2026 YVYV APPLICATION REQUEST
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of YVYV Student Fellows!
Application deadline is 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 14th, 2026
YVYV Institutions
Students from California campuses were selected in Fall 2024 to participate in LEAD California’s Community Engagement Student Fellowship-Youth Voice, Youth Vote (YVYV) 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, focusing on voter engagement and youth voice.
For more information, contact Piper McGinley, LEAD California’s Deputy Director.
CSU Chico
The YVYV students’ responsibilities will center voter outreach, engagement, and education programming during spring 2024. Under the mentorship of the Civic Engagement Director, the student will help organize and execute several voter outreach events on campus, including voting-related film screenings, voter registration events, and education campaigns on campus. Additionally, the students will help organize a large voter turnout event that will take place on November 5, 2024 (election day); we are planning a carnival-themed full-day event to excite students on campus about turning out to vote.
College of the Canyons
College of the Canyons’ Center for Civic and Community Engagement (CCCE) continues to advance its ongoing student-driven, Project-Based Learning (PBL), co-curricular PLACE (Partnerships for Listening and Action by Communities and Educators) and Engage the Vote (ETV) Action Teams. These student-centered groups are building a sense of community, belonging, and well-being by assisting the needs of campus members and Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) nonprofits aligned with underserved and marginalized populations.
CSU Northridge
CSUN’s student leaders will plan and host several activities to engage our students in participating in the democratic process and become active members in their own communities. The events include voter registration drive, one training during the National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, one ballot measure briefing in collaboration with the League of Women Voters, and Big Politics. In addition, the student leaders are working closely with the Office of Community Engagement to send Canvas (the campus learning software) and social media reminders to students about early voting and conditional voter registration information and other election day information.
Loyola Marymount University
The Pam Rector Center for Service and Action at Loyola Marymount University will host LEAD California Youth Voice-Youth Vote Fellows to serve as student leaders for student civic engagement initiatives focused upon the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election. The Fellows will work strategically to support a campus climate of engaged, informed student voter participation through the creation of programming and events.
Sacramento State
For more than 25 years, the goal of CEC has been to make a difference in the lives of our students and the Sacramento region. The YVYV CESFs will continue this tradition by participating in service, civic & community engagement, and student voting initiatives. The YVYV CESFs will assist with (1) the Civic Engagement Resource Fair, (2) Network Café, and (3) Student Voter Education and Registration Outreach. For each of these, YVYV CESF’s will provide input during the planning and help engage students. Opportunities will be provided for students to plan and pursue a personal-interest project aligned with these goals.
Stanbridge University
The SSU CAC CE Student Fellow Youth Voice~Youth Vote will be working and researching ballot measures that will include working with the League of Women Voters of both Sonoma and Marin. Most likely they will be putting on candidate and ballot forums for students and the general public. They will also be working with our office, the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) to promote voter engagement, registration, and education.
UC San Diego
UC San Diego this past year has experienced a huge increase in student involvement and engagement on issues impacting the global community as well as the upcoming 2024 Presidential Election. The campus canceled their annual Sun God music festival this spring quarter and many students feel like their voices are being unheard. We believe the students deserve an enjoyable interactive experiential learning experience to understand the importance of voting and ensure their voices are heard through the ballot box. Our fellows will participate in the planning and development of UC San Diego’s first Live! Tritons Vote get-out-the-vote concert at the institution’s newest venue, the Epstein Family Amphitheater. Fellows will assist with all the planning and processes associated with an event of this magnitude in partnership with Campus Performances & Events Office (CPEO).
2026 YVYV APPLICATION REQUEST
Now accepting applications for the Fall 2026 cohort of YVYV Student Fellows!
Application deadline is 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 14th, 2026
YVYV Student Fellows
Students from California campuses were selected to participate in LEAD California’s Community Engagement Student Fellowship – Youth Voice, Youth Vote (YVYV) 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, focusing on voter engagement and youth voice.
For more information, feel free to contact us at info@leadcalifornia.org.
Fall 2025 CESF YVYV STUDENT FELLOWS
SOFIAANDRUSOVA
CAL POLY POMONA
Sofia Andrusova is a second-year Psychology major at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA and has earned both Dean’s List and President’s List honors. Her commitment to community service began in high school, where she served as Vice President of Key Club and was recognized as the 2023 Youth of the Year by the Albany Chamber of Commerce. At Cal Poly Pomona, she works as an Office Assistant with the Office of New Student Programs and Family Engagement, supporting orientation events, student services, and the office’s social media platforms. Beyond academics, Sofia is passionate about mental health advocacy and plans to pursue a career in clinical or counseling psychology, with a focus on serving immigrant communities. She looks forward to applying her academic achievements, leadership experience, and dedication to service to create meaningful impact through the fellowship and beyond.
ISAACDONADO
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
Isaac Donado is a junior at Loyola Marymount University, majoring in Political Science and Journalism. At LMU, Isaac holds leadership roles across several campus organizations. He is Vice President of Marketing for Phi Delta Phi, LMU’s pre-law honor society, where he leads the team responsible for outreach, event promotion, and digital strategy, he is a social ambassador for the Marketing and Communications Department, and is also a member of Crimson Circle, contributing to service and leadership initiatives that enrich both the university and surrounding community. He is passionate about using communication and policy to amplify student voices, promote inclusion, and improve campus environments. Isaac believes that meaningful impact comes through both listening and action, and he is committed to continuing to serve LMU and the broader community as he grows in his leadership journey.
LASANNIHENRY
CSU NORTHRIDGE
LaSanni Henry is a junior at California State University, Northridge, where she is pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. After graduation, she plans to combine her academic skills with her love for film and art, using her skills to create pathways and equal opportunities for underrepresented communities and individuals in the industry. She is deeply passionate about highlighting marginalized voices, fostering diversity in creative spaces, and developing projects that bridge business with artistic expression. Her long-term vision is to establish programs, collaborations, and initiatives that not only highlight unique talent but also ensure that future generations have access to the resources and representation they deserve.
JESSEREYES-ESTRADA
CAL POLY POMONA
Jesse Reyes-Estrada is a senior at Cal Poly Pomona majoring in Industrial Engineering with a minor in Philosophy. He is passionate about combining human connection with the problem-solving nature of engineering. As a College Corps Fellow, Jesse dedicated more than 1,000 hours to addressing food insecurity in the Los Angeles community. His work ranged from supporting volunteers to leading food packaging efforts, where he gained valuable experience in warehouse operations and the deeper meaning of community building. He also supported his peers by sharing skills in Excel and demonstrating the importance of efficiency in large-scale operations. Looking ahead to graduation, Jesse hopes to bridge the gap between blue- and white-collar workers through his career. His academic journey, shaped by both Industrial Engineering and Philosophy, has allowed him to cultivate strong connections and a thoughtful approach to his field.
GABRIELLAROBBINS
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY
Gabriella Robbins is a second-year Political Science student at Loyola Marymount University. She is a student leader with Hillel and a member of LMU’s Intercultural Facilitators practicum. This spring, she will join the third cohort of The Bronfman Fellowship’s Campus Commons. Gabriella is especially interested in how community building can increase empathy and reduce political polarization on college campuses. She is also passionate about student political participation and looks forward to increasing the visibility of local elections through Lead California’s Youth Voice, Youth Vote Student Fellowship.
KIERASLADEN
CAL POLY HUMBOLDT
Kiera Sladen is a junior majoring in Political Science. As President of the Politics Club, she organized forums on political participation, as well as facilitated events promoting student engagement in political discussion. Kiera has been an active participant in Moot Court, as well as currently involved in Model United Nations. Alongside Ruth Worthington, Kiera Sladen will be chairing for the upcoming Far West MUN tournament, and is especially interested in comparative politics, and the US legal system. She is committed to expanding her knowledge in political science, as she believes that an educated voter base is imperative to sustaining a true democracy, and a just world.
RUTHWORTHINGTON
CAL POLY HUMBOLDT
Ruth Worthington is a junior majoring in Political Science. As Vice President of the Politics Club, she has experience fostering political conversations and developing a supportive environment to share ideas. Ruth created and coordinated social media posts to promote events and create a loyal and supportive community of students. Ruth Worthington participated in Mock Trial in High School, which inspired her interest to partake in Moot Court at Cal Poly Humboldt. She is also chairing a committee at Model United Nations of the Far West. She believes that democratic participation is key to an effective government and plans to become a government teacher to encourage younger generations to enthusiastically educate themselves and participate in civic engagement.