The UG CORO Fellows in Public Affairs Alumni Panel aims to showcase the diverse journeys and achievements of our esteemed alumni who have participated in this prestigious program. Their unique perspective and contributions greatly enrich the panel discussion, allowing current students interested in the program to learn from their experiences and insights.
Adriana Bernal, B.A. in Public Affairs and Minor in Education Studies ’22 alumna
Adriana is passionate about social policy issues, leadership development, and community engagement. A native of the Bay Area and a proud product of California public schools, she is committed to using innovative policy solutions to empower underserved communities.
As a policy fellow with the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute, she helped build the initiative into the leading research center for data on Latinos in the U.S. She also volunteered as a summer camp counselor with UCLA UniCamp and served as a youth leader with Changiest LA, a nonprofit promoting civic engagement skills for middle and high school students.
As a Coro Pittsburgh Fellow, Adriana conducted legislative research, implemented fundraising campaigns, and provided program evaluation support to local nonprofits. Through her Coro experience, she developed a passion for cross-sectoral collaboration and has built meaningful relationships with leaders in Pittsburgh.
Adriana is the Communications Associate at FISA Foundation, a grant-giving organization supporting women, girls, and people with disabilities in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region. Adriana is excited to continue uplifting communities in Pittsburgh and partnering with local leaders to drive positive change.
Saman Haddad, B.A. in Public Affairs and Minors in Labor and Workplace Studies and Urban and Regional Studies ’22 alumnus
Saman Haddad is proudly from the City of San Bernardino in the Inland Empire. After graduation, Saman became a Coro Fellow in Los Angeles through Coro Southern California. Throughout the fellowship, Saman worked closely with several organizations, including:
Nonprofit Placement: The Urban Foundation, Kid City
Electoral Politics Placement: Hydee Feldstein Soto for L.A. City Attorney
Private Sector Placement: Lendistry
Government Placement: Los Angeles Unified School District, Board District 4
Labor Placement: LA-OC Building and Construction Trades Council
Independent Placement, Period I: Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians
Independent Placement, Period II: NEW Capital, LLC
From the fellowship, Saman learned about the complexities associated with policy creation and implementation, team management, and values-based leadership, amongst others. Saman is a first-year law student at Yale Law School, focusing on the intersections between educational accessibility, housing, and technology. Saman loves trying new foods, caring for his plants, and strength training in his free time. Saman looks forward to connecting with anyone interested in the fellowship!
