Annalise Blum ’10 (Earth Systems) from Berkeley, CA spent the summer working in the office of State Assemblywoman Lois Wolk. Interested in environmental activism since elementary school, Annalise often says that her dream job would be to head the Environmental Protection Agency; this fellowship provided her the opportunity to test out a career working for the government on environmental policy. During her internship, Annalise had the opportunity to attend a three-day tour of the Hetch Hetchy water system, which was a fascinating look into the many challenges and issues involved in California water. She is dedicated to public service and activism, spending last year volunteering abroad in Thailand, Guatemala, and Cuba and continuing her service at Stanford. With goals of working on environmental policy abroad in the future, Annalise valued the chance to experience the policy-making process in her home state first. She says, “California is leading the way in important environmental legislation,” and was excited to play a part.
Logan Egan ’06 (Earth Systems) joined the California Bay-Delta Authority, an agency of the CALFED Bay-Delta Program, in the challenge of managing the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Growing up near Sacramento, Logan enjoyed exploring the Yuba River and considers it one of his favorite places. He realized that effective management had protected the river from being dammed in the 1970s and “developed a fascination with watershed management,” discovering how important the health of the Delta is to the San Francisco Bay Area. He says, “Watershed and land management is becoming increasingly important as populations grow, demand for water and land increases, and environmental degradation becomes an urgent problem.” Working with CALFED allowed Logan to pursue research that he found particularly interesting, and was an important step for Logan as he starts a career geared toward environmental protection. He is currently continuing work on a co-term in Earth Systems.
Sara Heaps ’10 (Undeclared) spent the summer in the Office of Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier, engaging in the political process in her native San Francisco Bay Area. She was assigned three long-term projects – helping to develop a task force to promote equality in education in San Francisco, compiling a legislative history of the work of Supervisor Alioto-Pier, and researching economic benefit districts – but she was also involved in several short-term projects, as well. Attending high school in the Alameda Unified School District, Sara worked to get out the vote for two measures to fund the schools and discovered her love for politics. She went on to become class president and has decided to pursue a career in public service, focusing on civil rights of minorities. With goals of working in Washington DC as a lobbyist to gain insight into the national political arena, this summer Sara decided to make a difference in the community where she grew up. She says, “The political process holds the power to positively impact the future of our nation. I have always wanted to be involved in this world.”
“Jun” Xiaojun Jiang ’09 (International Relations) examined the nuances of California politics in the Office of State Senator Joe Simitian. Her projects this summer included writing summaries of long reports, researching various legislators and issues, and familizaring herself with the legislative staff handbook. Jun also had the opportunity to attend hearings and committee meetings with Senator Simitian. Last summer, Jun took the Sophomore College class “What’s the Matter with California?” which she describes as “a crash-course on the background of California history and politics and the civil structure that has become inefficient and ineffective.” The class took a trip to Sacramento to meet with politicians, and Jun respected Senator Simitian’s “lack of façade and genuine urge to help his constituents.” Having lived in California for the past nine years, she decided it was time to investigate the political situation of her own state and learn about the political structure from the inside. She says, “As an International Relations major, I wish to learn and understand my own state first, before applying my understanding to the wider sphere.”
Wei Wei Liu ’09 (Human Biology) followed her interest in health policy to the Office of Supervisor Liz Kniss in Santa Clara County. Concentrating in health policy, Wei Wei has realized the power of the local government to effect change, especially with her work on the Health Care Solutions Task Force that Supervisor Kniss recently convened. Supervisor Kniss is a proponent of early intervention and prevention strategies in health care and Wei Wei enjoyed the opportunity to get involved in health care reform on a community-based level. Born and raised in Santa Clara County, Wei Wei also welcomed the chance to be a part of decisions that will affect her family and community. She says, “Essentially, local governments are there to instigate discussion and change when the national government is not. I see huge potential in local government’s ability to bring about reform from the bottom up.”
Crista Mendoza ’08 (Psychology) from Redlands, CA worked in the Office of Supervisor Bevan Dufty in San Francisco, a supervisor she considers to be “an admirable elected official.” Crista respects Supervisor Dufty’s approach to improving the quality of life in the Castro District and his willingness to take into consideration the opinions of the residents. Crista was able to sit in on many private meetings in order to gain a “behind the scenes” view of City Hall. Her background in psychology includes study of group behaviors and tendencies, insights Crista found helpful in handling local conflicts and issues. With the goal of pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Relations, focusing on International Negotiation and Conflict Management, Crista hopes to apply the experience she gained this summer dealing with conflicts on a small scale to a broader context in the future.
Rishan Mohamed ’08 (Human Biology) from Whittier, CA delved further into San Francisco politics through a position at the Office of Mayor Gavin Newsom, serving as Assistant to the Director of Government Affairs. Rishan spent spring quarter interning for San Francisco Congresswoman and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi through the Stanford in Washington program, where he gained a national perspective on issues facing the San Francisco community. Working in one of the mayor’s offices this summer allowed him to transition to a more local perspective on these issues, bringing him closer to his goal of “becoming an integral part of San Francisco politics.” Rishan developed a strong interest in politics during his Sophomore College class “American Foreign Policy in the 21st Century” and thrived in the high pressure environment of their two-day crisis simulation. This summer he was able to learn about the political climate of San Francisco and explore the role he wants to play in his future political work.
Joleen Oshiro ’09 (Environmental Engineering) spent the summer working at The Planning and Conservation League, a collaboration of organizations and individuals that fight to protect California’s environment. Interested in environmental issues, Joleen has gotten involved in a variety of opportunities on campus, including the group Students for a Sustainable Stanford, research on tropical ecology in Mexico over spring break, and a course to become a docent at Stanford’s Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. From Honolulu, she appreciates the importance of individual and community actions in conserving natural resources but also realizes the crucial role government action and environmental policy play in environmental protection. Interested in “promoting environmental change through legislative action,” Joleen is considering a minor in public policy and valued the opportunity to gain experience with environmental policy this summer.
Zach Podell-Eberhardt ’08 (Materials Science and Engineering) from Seattle, WA explored the field of renewable energy through a fellowship at the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP), a collaboration of organizations promoting the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles. With a technical scientific background and a broader understanding of issues surrounding sustainable energy, Zach is interested in the commercialization of new technologies for renewable energy. He says, “Fuel cell technology is still in its infancy but has a promising future down the road. Working with the CaFCP has taught me that the key to commercialization of alternative energy products is strong communication between segments of industry and government.” After graduation, Zach plans to enter the field of renewable energy and will draw on his fellowship experience in deciding whether to first pursue a graduate degree.