The UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute (LPPI) hosted the orientation for its new policy fellows on Sept. 21, during which LPPI leadership and returning fellows shared advice on how the new cohort will help advance the institute’s mission.
The LPPI Policy Fellows Program gives students real, hands-on experience working on important issues that affect Latino and other underrepresented communities. By doing actual research and community outreach alongside experts, fellows learn how to create positive change and become future leaders.
Director Dr. Amada Armenta opened the orientation with remarks on the importance of research and advocacy and outlined the skills that students in the fellows program will gain and apply in their future careers. Advisory Board Member Patrick Isidoro Butler, retired fire chief and harbor master of the Redondo Beach fire department, spoke about how his background in higher education and in fire safety in communities like East Los Angeles has influenced his desire to give back to the community he came from.
Belen Flores, the leadership and strategy manager at LPPI, followed with an overview of the leadership program.
“LPPI cultivates leaders to go on to shape policy-making through influential roles in both the public and private sectors, including academia, government, think tanks, and media organizations,” Flores said.
The orientation continued with Mariah Bonilla, project policy analyst at LPPI and policy fellow alumna, giving a brief presentation and overview of their research areas and major projects. The mobilization, communications, and operations teams followed with introductions of their focus areas.
The program also hosted a panel of returning students, including moderator Sophia Pu, and panelists Sophia Barajas, Samantha Alejandre, Melissa Walk, Yina Marin, and Natalie Gonzalez. During the discussion, they shared invaluable advice with new fellows, emphasizing the importance of building strong professional networks and seeking mentorship.
They also encouraged fellows to stay curious, remain open to diverse perspectives, and be proactive in pursuing opportunities inside and outside the program. Returning panelists communicated the value of resilience and adaptability, which the panel highlighted as essential to making a meaningful impact through policy work.
