Maddy Interns

Alina Alonzo is a senior at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Political Science with a minor in Creative Writing. She is also pursuing a certificate in Legal Studies, which she plans to apply in law school and later as a legal consultant.

Born and raised in Fresno, Alina graduated from Edison High School in 2022 and completed the rigorous Center for Advanced Research and Technology program. Since then, she has been dedicated to civic service and community engagement. She previously interned at the Alternate Defense Office, where she conducted legal research and observed the trial process, and with State Senator Shannon Grove through The Maddy Institute in Fall 2024, assisting community members with a variety of issues.

This fall, Alina is excited to return as a Legislative Intern. She hopes to further her experience in public service and policy and ultimately create positive change in California’s state legislature.

Daniella Golik is a junior at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Business with a focus in marketing. Passionate about serving others, she is a dedicated community servant.

Alongside her academics, Daniella volunteers as a Mentor for Camp Taylor Heart Camp. After having open heart surgery as a child, she now helps other young adults and families of children with congenital heart disease.

In the Spring, Daniella completed an internship with The Maddy Institute in Fresno City Councilmember Nelson Esparza’s office, where she made connections and expanded her knowledge of the local political process. As the daughter of a first-generation Venezuelan immigrant, Daniella is excited to intern with Senator Alex Padilla and continue to serve others.

Jocelyn Leon is a Senior at the University of California, Merced, double-majoring in Political Science and Environmental Systems Science. She hopes to pursue a career in environmental law and agriculture technology, with a focus on creating sustainable and culturally sensitive solutions that improve safety and working conditions for immigrant farmworker communities.

Growing up in Lake Elsinore, California, Jocelyn spent much of her childhood helping her family on a dairy farm. Those early experiences instilled in her a strong work ethic and a passion for sustainability, agriculture, and advocacy. She has since gained professional experience through internships with the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, HDR, and the Natural Resources Defense Council, where she worked on projects related to climate resilience, renewable energy, and environmental justice.

As a proud first-generation college student, Jocelyn balances her academics with active leadership roles on campus. She currently serves as a Resident Assistant, is involved in the Associated Students of UC Merced as the Director of Student Advocacy, and participates is the President of the Helping Hands Club. Outside of academics and leadership, she enjoys food, dancing ballet folklorico, and spending time with her family.

Jocelyn is excited to be interning with Congressman Adam Gray’s office, where she looks forward to building her skills in legislative research and community engagement as preparation for graduate studies and a career dedicated to advancing environmental justice and equity.

Leslie Rivera is a first-generation Mexican-American and rising senior at California State University, Fresno, majoring in Social Work while also earning an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Intervention. She plans to pursue a Master’s in Social Work after graduating in 2026.

As a future social worker, Leslie believes that lasting change begins with policy awareness and advocacy. She has an interest in understanding the laws and policies that impact individuals and families in the Central Valley. She is especially interested in how legislation affects long-term outcomes for marginalized populations, and she hopes to use her knowledge to advocate and learn how to better serve her community.

Leslie also volunteers at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, where she gains insight into the medical and social service needs of vulnerable populations. This fall, she is serving in the Fresno District Office of California State Assemblymember Dr. Joaquin Arambula, where she looks forward to deepening her understanding of public service and community advocacy.

Rosita Ventura-Gomez is a third-year Broadcast Journalism major with a Political Science minor at Fresno State. She works as a senior reporter for The Collegian and freelances for various local outlets. Rosita also founded her own community newspaper in Chowchilla, a small news desert, to give voice to underrepresented stories.

As a first-generation Chicano American with parents who both work in agriculture, Rosita is passionate about bringing a Central Valley perspective to her reporting. Through The Maddy Institute, she hopes to expand her skills and continue amplifying underrepresented voices. Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a career in journalism or communications, with interests in political campaigns and communications work in Sacramento.

Tanner Jones is an incoming junior at California State University, Fresno, where he plans to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s in Electrical Engineering. He transferred from Reedley College, where he earned an associate degree in Electrical Engineering, served as President of the Technology Development Club, worked as a STEM tutor, and helped build machine learning models to analyze grape clusters.

Raised in a farming family, he is passionate about key issues in the Valley, including climate change, water rights, and housing. This fall, Tanner is excited to intern in Representative Jim Costa’s office to deepen his understanding of the Valley and government. He aspires to one day become an elected official or start a business focused on strengthening U.S. manufacturing.

Val Mendoza is a third-year Political Science major at UC Merced with experience in both campus and UC-wide advocacy. She has served as Organizing Director for the UC Student Association, a Critical Race and Ethnic Studies Intern for Communication, and more—roles that allowed her to lobby at the State and U.S. Capitol, host educational events, and promote political engagement.

Passionate about serving Central Valley students, Val has also worked in multiple classrooms in Merced, where she’s witnessed students persevere through challenges. Inspired by these experiences and her love of learning, she plans to teach for a year before attending law school, with the goal of becoming an in-house attorney for a local school.

Vikash Prakash is a third-year student at CSU Stanislaus, majoring in Social Sciences with concentrations in Economics, Political Science, and Psychology. Inspired by his parents’ work as healthcare providers in the Central Valley, Vikash developed a passion for advocacy after hearing stories of patients facing abuse and neglect. In high school, he began attending court hearings, where he witnessed victims share their experiences firsthand. These moments shaped his commitment to pursuing law school and a career in local government, where he hopes to elevate the voices of victims and reform the criminal justice system.

At CSU Stanislaus, Vikash served as the elected Board of Director for Diversity in Student Government, where he advocated for marginalized communities, including formerly incarcerated students, and worked to expand access to resources. Engaging with students and faculty has deepened his understanding of higher education and public policy, reinforcing his drive to address systemic challenges.

Through the Maddy Institute’s Valley Legislative Program and his internship with Assemblymember Juan Alanis, Vikash looks forward to learning more about the issues facing the Central Valley and how local leaders and constituents collaborate to create change.