Mateo Donato and Dustin Lopez have been selected as Cabrillo College Local Government Fellows.
Both students are starting their last year at Cabrillo and will transfer to four-year schools for their undergraduate degrees. They are the first in their families to attend college.
The Fellows program was created in 2021 by current and former local government leaders throughout Santa Cruz County and the Cabrillo College Foundation.
The goal is to encourage and support Cabrillo College students, with preference to those who are the first in their family to attend college, to pursue careers in local government as the aging workforce reaches retirement age.
As Local Government Fellows, the students receive a $2,000 scholarship, an internship in a local jurisdiction, and a mentor.
In the summer of 2024, Donato will intern with the City of Capitola and Lopez with the City of Scotts Valley.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this opportunity,” said Donato. “This allows me to work with and acquire knowledge from our local government leaders and paves my way towards being involved in local government.”
Dustin Lopez
Mateo Donato
Lopez said, “I am very excited to meet new people, explore my interests in local government, and deepen my understanding of my own community. I am thankful for this opportunity and hope to help others in the same way through a career in local government.”
Arne Croce, a Cabrillo alum, former city manager and one of the program organizers, said, “We are grateful for the generous community support which makes this program possible. We are excited for Mateo and Dustin and look forward to their futures in local government.”
Effective, efficient local government is critical to communities. Services such as planning, public works, public safety, libraries, parks and recreation, elections management, and health and social services are essential to quality of life and robust economy, advocates say, and developing dedicated, competent, and diverse future local government leaders is key.
The Fellows program has raised $67,000. The goal is to raise an endowment of $100,000 and support two Fellows each year.
Contributions have come from individuals, businesses, and the cities of Capitola and Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz County and the cities of Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville have committed to providing a paid internship to those students selected as Cabrillo College Local Government Fellows.
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Scholarship funds are managed by the Cabrillo College Foundation. Contributions can be made at: https://foundation.cabrillo.edu/donate. Enter “Local Government Fellows” in the notes section.