Cal-in-Sacramento Fellowships
Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom Speaks with 2012 Cal-in-Sac Fellows
The 2012 Cal-in-Sacramento fellows welcomed Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom to their class on April 11, 2012. Newsom spoke with students about the issues facing California, as well as challenged them to take risks and question the system during their summer in Sacramento.
About the Program
We are the University of California's largest -- and one of the nation's most prestigious -- campus-based public service internship programs. Over three decades, more than 500 Cal students have gone to Sacramento under our auspices to garner first-hand experience in the most dynamic state capital in the country. Many of these students have gone on to careers in politics, government, and public service.
The Cal in Sacramento Program provides students the opportunity to experience California's exciting political milieu for eight intense weeks in the summer. Cal-in-Sac Fellows work in Sacramento internships in the offices of Senate and Assembly members, the governor's office, state agencies, nonprofit groups, or media organizations. Typical intern duties include: organizing public hearings, researching legislation,, developing new bills, and monitoring crucial issues.
The program provides free housing for students and stipends to help defray living expenses are available on a need basis.
How to Apply
Please check back for the 2012-13 application dates.
Students apply during the fall semester. Those selected for admission enroll in a spring-semester Political Science seminar (PS110B) designed to augment their knowledge about California politics and policymaking and strengthen their career development.
Learn More
- See our Frequently Asked Questions page.
- Visit our intern placement pages to see where Fellows have interned, and which alums have turned internships into jobs:
2011 placements | 2010 placements | 2009 placements | Alum jobs - Read program evaluations from past Fellows: 2011 | 2010 | 2009
Cal-in-Sac Legislators-in-Residence
Senator Elizabeth Figueroa
Sen. Figueroa, a Democrat who represented part of the east bay for nine years, will co-teach this year's class with Senator Ackerman. Prior to her service in the Senate, Figueroa was the first Latina from Northern California in a century to be elected to the Assembly. While in office Figueroa was recognized for consistently carrying legislation that demonstrated dedication to her constituents and focused on much of her efforts on health care reform. Figueroa's diversity of experience and knowledge make her an important addition to IGS and the Cal-in-Sacramento program.
Senator Richard Ackerman
Senator Ackerman, a Republican who represented Orange County, has agreed to come on again as a Legislator-in-Residence for 2010. Ackerman brings over 25 years of experience as a public official to the Matsui Center and the IGS community. Fellows in last years class benefitted greatly from Ackerman's personal knowledge of Sacramento, one-on-one advising and the guest lecturers he brought to campus, which included Willie Brown, Susan Kennedy, and Dan Walters.
The Legislator-in-Residence program brings a former legislator to campus each year to teach and to participate in the life of IGS. Past Legislators-in-Residence have included Dion Aroner, Wilma Chan, Patrick Johnston, Johan Klehs, Ted Lempert, and Darrell Steinberg.
The program offers Fellowships and Matsui State Government Internships. Both operate in the same way, offer the same benefits, use the same application, and applicants need not distinguish between the two.
This notice required by the U.S. Department of Education:
The Robert T. Matsui Center for Politics and Public Service is partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education through a Congressionally directed grant award. The contents of this website do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
