Center for Community Solutions

Jocelyn Escobar is a first-generation college student and Master of Public Policy student with a deep-rooted passion for using public policy to uplift immigrant, Latino, and LGBTQ communities in Inland Southern California. Having built a life in Riverside, she draws inspiration from the city’s character and is committed to local policy solutions that reflect the lived realities of underrepresented residents. Jocelyn’s experiences navigating customer service work, higher education, and familial healthcare challenges have shaped her drive to advocate for equity in access, particularly in healthcare.

Michael Iniquez is a Master of Public Policy student with a background in higher education and a growing interest in housing and sustainability policy. Driven by a desire to serve his local community, he aims to create safe and opportunity-rich environments for Inland Southern California residents through policy. With experience supporting student success and community engagement, he brings a collaborative, data-informed approach to policy work and is eager to expand his impact beyond education to areas like housing development and environmental sustainability.

Juna Park-Rogers is a Master of Public Policy student committed to advancing intersectional policies that center Black, Brown, immigrant, and queer communities. Drawing on formative experiences in grassroots organizing and research with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign and United Domestic Workers, Juna brings a strong foundation in community engagement, policy analysis, and coalition-building. Because the Inland Empire is a hub for immigrant labor and economic growth, she is particularly interested in policy solutions that uplift immigrant workers and foster regional solidarity.

Sravika Pillarsietty is a BA/MPP student with a strong foundation in both legal and policy work, driven by a commitment to creating community-informed solutions for California and the Inland Empire. With experience in student government, criminal defense, and leadership within Phi Alpha Delta, they bring a unique perspective on how legal clarity and effective governance intersect to impact people's daily lives. Pillarsietty is passionate about local public service and policy innovation within the inland region, especially in areas of housing, economic development and water management.

Elizabeth Lopez is a passionate policy advocate and Master of Public Policy student whose lived experience as a Chicana, daughter of immigrants, young mother, and disabled student drives her commitment to equity and justice. Raised in Riverside, she has led successful campaigns supporting student-parents, undocumented students, and disability rights—always grounding her work in community, empathy, and structural change. She is eager to return to the Inland Empire as a Randall Lewis Policy Fellow, where she hopes to advance policy solutions in education, accessibility, and immigrant justice that reflect the strength and resilience of the region she calls home.

Munazza Khalid is a Master of Public Policy student and Randall Lewis Policy Researcher whose journey from designing community-centered education programs across Pakistan to conducting research at UCR’s Center for Community Solutions reflects a deep commitment to policy innovation, research, and systemic reform. With hands-on experience addressing disparities in education, healthcare, and infrastructure through organizations like The Citizens Foundation and Zindagi Trust, they bring a global lens and grassroots insight to policy analysis and implementation. Now focused on advancing equity in the Inland Empire, they aim to apply their international expertise to one of California’s fastest growing regions. 
 

Lincoln Yang is a Master of Public Policy candidate whose lived experience as a Hmong American has inspired a deep commitment to criminal justice reform, reentry policy, and community healing. With research experience at the Presley Center of Crime & Justice Studies and a background in legal and administrative roles at the California DOJ, they bring a nuanced understanding of how housing, healthcare, and justice policy must intersect to support successful reintegration. As a leader on the UCR campus and in the community, they aim to advance housing policy solutions throughout the Inland Empire.

Jessica Jiannino is a BA/MPP student and lifelong Jurupa Valley resident whose firsthand exposure to environmental injustice ignited a passion for grassroots activism and evidence-based policy. After organizing community outreach and mobilizing support for California's AB777 to protect the Stringfellow Superfund site, they’ve continued to focus on the intersection of public health, environmental justice, and economic development in the Inland Empire. With experience in science communication, legislative advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, they are committed to crafting policies that amplify community voices across the Inland regions.

Rachel Strausman is a Master of Public Policy student and Randall Lewis Policy Researcher with experience at both the local and federal levels, including serving as a legislative intern in Congresswoman Judy Chu’s office and as Dean’s Chief Ambassador at UCR’s School of Public Policy. As the host and producer of Policy Chats, UCR’s official public policy podcast, Strausman has led a team of 20+ students and interviewed public officials to spotlight timely policy issues. Passionate about the intersection of law and policy, she aims to advance equitable change in the Inland Empire and beyond.

Brenda Tontz is a Master of Public Policy student and Graduate Research Assistant at the Center of Community Solutions, where she contributes to land use and economic development research focused on the Inland Region. With experience in local government, community development, and student programming, she brings a deep commitment to inclusive public policy and community engagement. Brenda’s work reflects a strong foundation in cultural competency, research-driven planning, and a passion for supporting regional economic development.

Niloofar Shoja Razavi is a Master of Public Policy student and Randall Lewis Policy Researcher with additional degrees in Urban Design and Urban Planning and over five years of professional experience in sustainable urban development. Her academic and professional background spans environmental sustainability, water resource management, infrastructure equity, and urban resilience. Currently a Graduate Student Researcher assessing water reuse systems, she brings technical expertise in environmental monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and policy analysis. With strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, she is committed to promoting sustainable and livable communities across the Inland region and beyond.

Esther Mejia is a Master of Public Policy student and proud Inland Empire native, which has shaped her passion for environmental justice and equitable policy reform. She has held leadership roles in statewide student government for the UC Office of the President and completed internships at both the federal and local levels, including in Congresswoman Norma Torres’ Washington, D.C. office and the Riverside Public Defender’s Office. Through this fellowship, Esther looks forward to deepening her policy research and community-centered program development skills, with a long-term goal of advancing sustainable and equitable policies for underserved communities like her own.

Charles Dorado is a Master of Public Policy student with a deep commitment to uplifting the Inland Empire through evidence-based policymaking. As a lifelong resident of the inland region, Charles brings both lived experience and academic insight to his work, informed by his time supporting students in the classroom and observing legal proceedings through his time working at the San Bernardino Superior Court. His passion lies in strengthening Inland Southern California through rigorous, practical policy and legal solutions that reflect the needs of its communities and constituents.