People

As the Dean of Student Campus Life at the University of Redlands, Alfredo Barcenas applies his public policy training to develop equitable access, student leadership, and civic engagement in higher education. His initiatives include launching a new student organization chartering policy, creating an inaugural leadership curriculum, expanding support for basic needs and commuter students, and leading a university-wide engagement portal designed to centralize data, transparency, and participation. Throughout his work, Alfredo is guided by the principles he refined at the UCR School of Public Policy: evidence-based decision-making, cross-sector collaboration, and the belief that policy must be both people-centered and purpose-driven.

As a first-generation college student, Alfredo found that the SPP’s focus on evidence-based, inclusive leadership resonated with his passion for closing opportunity gaps. Through faculty mentorship and capstone research, he learned to view public policy as a vital tool for systemic inclusion and shared governance. Alfredo’s path demonstrates how a public policy education prepares leaders to build equitable institutions that prepare the next generation to thrive.

At TreePeople, Marcia Castro uses her public policy background to bridge the gap between community needs and climate resilience. Applying the lessons she learned at the UCR School of Public Policy about the intersection of environmental policy and social equity, Marcia designs inclusive, long-term programs for urban forestry and environmental education tailored for historically overlooked populations. A large part of her role involves building partnerships with community members, community groups, local organizations, and local officials—ensuring that the voices of communities most impacted by urban heat and pollution are reflected in how projects are developed and implemented. Her work demonstrates how an environmental policy focus can directly inspire youth, mitigate pollution, and bring climate justice to underserved communities.

"Tree planting isn't just about increasing canopy, but about investing in communities that have been disproportionately affected by heat and pollution. Planting trees in disadvantaged neighborhoods is about health, equity, and creating spaces where people feel supported and valued. To me, a thriving and abundant world means making sure those benefits are shared by everyone." - Marcia Castro

As an Analytics and Insights Associate supporting a nationwide network of hospitals, Bryan Ho provides analytical feedback on initiatives to improve patient quality and experience. He credits the UCR School of Public Policy with pushing him outside of his comfort zone and equipping him with the emotional intelligence, communication skills, and professionalism needed to build trust with executive teams. By learning how to effectively read a room and communicate with governing bodies during his time at the SPP, Bryan developed the critical relationship-building tools that support his career in healthcare analytics.

In his current role, Bryan applies his understanding of federal health policy—specifically Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations—to help hospitals prepare financially and strategically for an aging population. As a non-practitioner, he relies on his policy knowledge to help inform hospitals of ongoing reimbursement or policy changes so they can focus on what they do best: saving lives. Bryan’s career highlights how an SPP education helps students develop the confidence to create meaningful change. 

During his time at the UCR School of Public Policy, Antonio Isais learned that effective policy is a living process, not a static product. Influenced by faculty who connected academic research to the real lives of underrepresented communities, Antonio centers his work around inclusion. He uses his policy training to translate complex ideas into community-driven action, ensuring that decisions are informed by those who are most impacted.

In his role at Stanford Health Care, Antonio acts as a bridge between government agencies, healthcare systems, and community-based organizations to ensure policies are effectively implemented on the ground. He believes that lasting solutions must be shaped with communities rather than just for them. Antonio’s career shows how policy can create the conditions for opportunity, stability, and dignity across communities, especially those that have been historically underserved.

As the Region Manager of Practice Innovation at CommonSpirit Health, Imad Jobah uses his public policy knowledge to build equitable, people-centered healthcare systems. As a first-generation college student, he credits the UCR School of Public Policy with giving him a strong foundation in leadership and systems thinking. Today, he uses those values to lead initiatives that improve care coordination, patient experience, and healthcare access. By collaborating across clinical, operational, and technological teams, Imad helps implement virtual care models that reduce medical barriers for underserved communities.

Beyond his work in healthcare administration, Imad’s commitment to expanding opportunity extends into his community as the founder of FIRST, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting first-generation students through mentorship and professional development. Imad’s career shows how a public policy education empowers leaders to drive systemic change and build stronger, more prosperous communities.

As Chief of Staff at the City of Riverside Mayor's Office, Mikaila Kruse helps solve systemic challenges like housing access, poverty, and public health at the local level. She credits the UCR School of Public Policy with giving her the analytical tools necessary to dissect complex issues at their source, noting that diagnosing a problem is just as critical as crafting the remedy. By quantifying community challenges, Mikaila ensures that the policy solutions she implements are measurable and effective. Her career highlights how a public policy degree provides the framework to transform complex data into actionable, life-changing local governance.

"Public policy provides a framework to understand and solve huge systemic problems. While other career fields often have a limited impact to those they directly serve, those in public policy are in the business of tinkering with systems and programs to change the lives of thousands or even millions of people. Public policy is trying again and again, and eventually succeeding. It is the art of the possible." - Mikaila Kruse

Serving as the Mayor Pro Tem of Palm Springs, Naomi Soto utilizes her public policy education to make local change and shape regional economic priorities. She credits her time at the UCR School of Public Policy with giving her the broad lens necessary to tackle complex municipal issues—from balancing the seasonal tourism economy of Palm Springs to addressing housing burdens, job retention, and overall quality of life for her residents.

Beyond the classroom, the lasting relationships Naomi built at the SPP remain essential in her career, as she regularly collaborates with her former cohort members for guidance on development projects, campaign strategies, and council decisions. Naomi's career shows how a public policy degree can empower future leaders to build communities that are inclusive of all residents at every stage of life.

As the Sourcing Supervisor for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Jeffrey Villalobos uses his public policy education to fight food insecurity and promote environmental sustainability. He oversees the "Grocery Rescue" program, managing partnerships with over 300 retail and grocery locations. In this role, Jeffrey leverages California’s SB 1383 waste-reduction mandate and the federal Good Samaritan Act that protects food donors from liability when donating food to non-profits in good faith. By educating corporate donors on compliance and liability protections, he helps turn potential food waste into millions of pounds of meals for local families.

Jeffrey is inspired by seeing the impact of great public policy and the legislation it can create to advance the public good. His journey illustrates how a degree in public policy equips graduates to use policy as a highly practical, powerful tool to solve complex local challenges.