Thirteen UC Riverside students have been named the inaugural group of Randall Lewis Policy Fellows, launching a program that pairs emerging policy leaders with local governments and nonprofits across Inland Southern California.
The fellowships are funded by Randall Lewis, an Inland Empire real estate developer and philanthropist known for supporting education, healthcare, and civic innovation throughout the region. His gift supports hands-on training for students committed to improving their communities through research-based policy work.
Over the next seven months, the fellows will each contribute more than 380 hours of work to their assigned agencies, including policy research, program evaluation, and strategic planning. They will also complete professional development training through the UCR School of Public Policy’s Center for Community Solutions.
The first cohort includes 11 master of public policy students and two from the school’s BA/MPP Program, which allows UCR students to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public policy in five years. Their placements span six public entities and seven nonprofit organizations across Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Fellows and their host organizations:
• Charles Dorado – City of Riverside
• Jocelyn Escobar – Inland Empire Health Plan Foundation
• Michael Iniquez – Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services
• Jessica Jiannino – Parkview Legacy Foundation
• Munazza Khalid – Inland Empire Community Foundation
• Elizabeth Lopez – Inland Empire Community Collaborative
• Esther Mejia – Office of Governor Newsom – Inland Empire
• Sravika Pillarsietty – Housing Authority of San Bernardino County
• Juna Park-Rogers – Growing Inland Achievement
• Niloofar Shoja Razavi – Western Municipal Water District
• Rachel Strausman – Riverside County Homelessness Solutions
• Brenda Tontz – Riverside County Workplace Development
• Lincoln Yang – Inland Southern California Housing Collective
Several of the fellows bring lived experience from the communities they now serve. Others have backgrounds in legal advocacy, education, environmental justice, and public health. What unites them is a shared commitment to using policy to improve life in Inland Southern California.
The program’s founding also reflects Lewis’ broader commitment to civic engagement and regional resilience. In addition to his real estate ventures, Lewis has donated more than $30 million to Inland Empire institutions and causes, including $300,000 last year to the Center for Community Solutions.
Applications for the next cycle of Randall Lewis Policy Fellows will open in winter quarter 2026. Interested students may contact the Center for Community Solutions at solutions@ucr.edu.
