Meet our 2025 McCarthy Fellows In Sacramento!

We are excited to introduce our Summer 2025 cohort of students participating in our McCarthy Fellows in Sacramento program. These 11 students come from a range of diverse backgrounds, passions, and experiences. They are united by their shared commitment to public service and societal change. This summer, they will be putting their knowledge into action through many different internships across the State Capitol. Learn more about where they will be making a difference this summer!

 

Jayden Joeckel ’26

Major: Politics, Legal Studies Minor 

Placement: Delta Stewardship Council

 

 

 

 

Sophia Aragoza ’27

Major: Public Health, Gerontology and Neuroscience Minor

Placement: California Commission on Aging 

 

 

 

Angelina Lo ’26

Major: Politics, Minors in History and Public Policy 

Placement: Commission on Women and Girls 

 

 

 

Jayden Calhoun ’26

Major: Politics, Public Policy Minor

Placement: Assemblymember Sade Elhawary

 

 

 

Francene Bendicion ’26

Major: Architecture, Engineering Minor 

Placement: Disability Rights CA

 

 

 

 

Laine Slabbinick ’26

Major: Critical Diversity Studies, Environmental Studies Minor

Placement: Disability Rights CA

 

 

 

Maxwell Drati ’25

Major: Politics, African American Studies Minor

Placement: Western Center on Law and Poverty 

 

 

 

Kennedy Bartee ’26

Major: Environmental Science, Public Policy Minor 

Placement: CA Natural Resources Agency

 

 

 

 

Liana Mendoza ’27

Major: Data Science, Neuroscience Minor 

Placement: CA HHS, Center for Data Insights and Innovation

 

 

 

Sofi Pardo ’27

Major: Communications and Politics, Public Service and Community Engagement Minor

Placement: CA Democratic Party

 

 

 

Larry Wesley ’26

Major: Politics, Criminal Justice Minor 

Placement: Fair Elections Center