College Ten Student Awarded the Robert T. Matsui Fellowship

March 21, 2014

By Shelbby Bambrick 

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College Ten third-year student, Samantha House, has been awarded the Robert T. Matsui – University of California Congressional Fellowship for UCDC Spring 2014. This fellowship honors the late Robert T. Matsui, an alumnus of UC Berkeley, the UC Hastings College of Law, and representative for California’s Fifth Congressional District for 26 years. Since its founding in 2007, only 10 of its 127 recipients have been UCSC students, including House. “The fellowship provides several opportunities to attend special events on The Hill, meet current members of congress, network, and get to know students with a similar dedication to public service. Events have included meeting Nancy Pelosi and even President Clinton, two opportunities no one should pass up” says House. In her time at UC Santa Cruz, House has taken on several key leadership roles, such as co-leading the Practical Activism Conference. House believes that being a leader at College Ten played a vital part in her competitiveness as a candidate for the Matsui fellowship. “Here I have not only been educated on what social justice and community truly mean, but have also been given the opportunities to execute it. It has made me passionate about injustices in the legal and criminal justice systems."

As she is preparing to begin her time as a Congressional Intern and Matsui Fellow, House is most excited about the opportunities she will have to develop her public service skills further. “Ultimately, I hope to gain direct knowledge on both the drafting and implementation of public policy and legislation in our nation's capital. 'The Hill' is the very place where the foundations of this nation emerge.”

House plans on pursuing a career in law, with the goal of becoming an attorney. “I believe my role in life is to further develop the legal process as an increasingly just and equitable realm for those who encounter it.” Through her experiences as a Matsui fellow, House hopes to further her understanding of  “the operative function, legal significance, and political ramifications of America’s legislative system” while also continuing to learn how to apply her passions toward social justice.