Hello UCSB Environmental Studies!
My name is Vivienne Chankai, and I am a second-year Environmental Studies B.A. major. In the summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to be admitted into the 15th year of the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP) Comcast Fellowship. The Comcast Fellowship is a month-long program where alumni of one of CLYLP’s high school regional institutes who have completed their first year of college intern with a member of the California state government in the State Capitol for four days a week. In addition to the internship, fellows learn from Latino leaders working in government agencies, community organizations, and companies throughout the state. The program was facilitated by Anabel Urbina, a fellowship alumna herself with experience working in the Capitol community and the CSU system.
I was fortunate enough to be placed in the office of State Senator Monique Limón representing California’s 21st Senate District, which includes Santa Barbara. I was thoroughly inspired by the commitment of Senator Limón and her staff to creating legislation that will help people throughout the state and better the environment of California. This opportunity showed me the immense amount of dedication that goes into functioning one of the largest state governments in the country and how people can create change all throughout the state. I enjoyed being part of the Capitol community, learning about the state legislative process, and learning about the wide array of viewpoints that contribute to the formation of California state law. I made connections with a variety of people from many issue areas such as health policy, political lobbying and outreach, and environmental lobbying and policy. My time in Sacramento gave me an understanding of how advocacy translates to community building, which has greatly helped me do as an Advocacy Co-Chair for UCSB’s Environmental Affairs Board.
While the Comcast Fellowship is only open to alumni of CLYLP’s high school regional institutes, there are other opportunities for those who did not participate and some graduate student opportunities. The application for this year’s cohort of Comcast Fellows is due on April 13th at 11:59 PM. More information can be found here about CLYLP and their mission to help create the future leaders of California.