California Senate President pro Tempore reflects on how UC Berkeley prepared her for leadership

February 26, 2026

By Jessica Park

What once seemed like just another prerequisite course at UC Berkeley would ultimately shape the trajectory of Monique Limón’s career in public service.

A sociology class sparked Limón’s fascination with the study of social institutions — how they function; who they serve; and how they can be reimagined to better support communities. As the first Latina and second female Senate President pro Tempore of the California State Senate, she uses those skills every day.

Before leading the Senate, Limón spent more than 14 years working in higher education at UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College. Beyond the classroom, Limón represented the needs of students and families as a Santa Barbara Unified School Board member.

Limón later represented the Central Coast in the California State Assembly, where she addressed student hunger on UC campuses, expanded access to higher education and been responsible for dozens of landmark policies that serve Californians’ needs.

As a Sociology major, Limón credits her time at Berkeley Social Sciences with shaping her understanding of leadership, collaboration and community impact.

Berkeley Social Sciences spoke to Limón recently about the lessons she learned at Cal and how she has applied them throughout her career. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Please tell us more about your journey to Cal and why you chose your major.

Monique Limón: My first visit to UC Berkeley in the early 1990s was the first time I set foot on a campus outside my hometown. I didn’t fully grasp Berkeley’s academic profile, but I fell in love with the campus and the thought of attending Berkeley.

Like many freshmen on campus, I had many ideas for what my major could be. It wasn’t until I enrolled in a sociology course as a prerequisite that I decided to pivot. The study of society and social institutions piqued my interest. I became fascinated with how those institutions shaped how we operate and how we understand each other. Those lessons are closely connected to the work I do in the California State Senate every day.

What was your experience like at Cal?

Monique Limón: As a student, I absorbed as much information as I could and welcomed new learning, and professional and personal experiences. Those experiences taught me the value of learning and working with others. My work with student groups, such as Hermanas Unidas Incorporated and the Raza Recruitment and Retention Center, also taught me to apply what I was learning in the classroom to community work. I am proud of my time on campus. Go Bears!

How did your Berkeley experience prepare you for your career?

Monique Limón: My roles in student leadership introduced me to diverse communities working toward a common goal. Those experiences gave me a deeper understanding of how to work with people with different life paths, much like how we operate in the California State Legislature. Much of my time on campus helped me prepare for the next phase of my life after graduation. I still talk about my experiences today.

How have you given back to UC Berkeley?

Monique Limón: The way we give back as alumni looks different for everyone. I have served as a co-chair for the legislative UC Roundtable since 2020. The group is made up of legislators who have a UC in their district. We convened as lawmakers to have conversations with university administrators about issues affecting UC across the state. I often hear about the struggles of students, staff and administrators, and what the California Legislature can do to support everyone on campus. Together, we identified ways to improve the experiences of everyone participating in the UC system.

What advice do you have for Berkeley Social Sciences students that want to pursue successful careers in politics?

Monique Limón: Give yourself permission to go for it. There is no one clear path to reach goals. Yet, people tend to seek support and validation to determine whether they are good candidates for political positions. I did that when running for the Senate and the Assembly. I asked if I was good enough to represent my home district. I want people to know that even when you doubt your years of experience and qualifications, you are enough to be in any space you believe you can make better. That belief will come through in everything that you do in your career and will drive you to do your best.

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