Alumni

L&S Alum Spotlight:
Phuong Le '22 (she/her) Major: American Studies

Phuong Le graduated from UC Berkeley's College of Letters & Science with a degree in American Studies. While that may sound straightforward, her path was anything but traditional. After building a strong academic foundation at Berkeley, personal challenges with her mental health and finances ultimately led Phuong to withdraw from school just shy of graduation in 2017.

Over the next five years, Phuong worked tirelessly to overcome these obstacles, which were...

The Vallee Foundation recently announced the appointment of six new Vallee Scholars, including UC Berkeley scientist James Nuñez. The Foundation celebrates its thirteenth year of providing unrestricted support to national and international early-career researchers at a pivotal stage of their tenure-track careers. Since 2013, the Foundation has invested more than $20 million to empower 65 exceptional young scientists worldwide.

Andy Barkett began his academic career at UC Berkeley studying political economy, a major he chose for its interdisciplinary focus and close-knit community. He credits UC Berkeley with teaching him the foundational skills he would later rely on in a dynamic, unconventional career that spanned from high-tech to politics.

Now a political economy board member, Barkett remains an active and engaged alumnus. Through guest lectures, student mentorship and organizing student mixers, he continues to give back to the Berkeley community. By sharing his...

In October 2005, UC Berkeley Political Science alumni Mike and Laura Taylor met at a study night between their fraternity and sorority. Neither could have guessed that the evening would mark the start of something much more. More than a decade later, in 2016, the two were married at the campus Faculty Club.

Laura arrived at Cal and was astonished by the intensity of support and encouragement on campus. Mike joined as a third-generation Cal student, growing up in San José. As proud alumni, they cheer at football games, mentor students through...