Growing up in a single-parent household, Tiyesha Watts always dreamed of working in a career that would allow her to make effective change in socio-economically disadvantaged communities and bring awareness to the disparities that lie within these communities.

A South-Central Los Angeles native and first-generation college graduate from the University of California, Davis, Tiyesha graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science-Public Service and a Bachelor of Arts degree in African-American and African Studies.

Today, Tiyesha has completed the Senate Fellowship Program, giving her an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the legislative process and the crafting and adoption of public policy, as well as the process to build community relations directly with constituents and stakeholders. Tiyesha served in the office of State Senator Richard Pan, who represents Sacramento, West Sacramento, Elk Grove, and unincorporated areas of Sacramento County.

“The Senate Fellows program has allowed me to be shaped into a respected civil servant and has given me keen insight on the legislative process.” Tiyesha said. “As someone who comes from humble beginnings, I was fortunate to be placed in an office that provided me with a platform to utilize my background experiences and ambitions to advocate for marginalized populations.”

Darin Walsh, Chief of Staff for Senator Pan, described Tiyesha as a strong, intelligent, dedicated staffer who was thrown into an unprecedented session in the Legislature. “She gave compassion and insight to her work with community members and staff,” Walsh said. “We could not have accomplished as much without her.”

With her placement in Senator Pan’s office, Tiyesha had the opportunity to adhere directly to community needs during the plight of COVID-19. “I was provided with vast opportunities to shape legislative policy agendas, be the point of contact on potential legislative decisions and implement the best methods and practices to allow Californians to carry out their daily operations during a national pandemic,” Tiyesha noted.

In her work, Tiyesha assisted homeless constituents with acquiring housing resources through Sacramento 2-1-1 and the Continuum of Care Program. Additionally, she connected constituents with free and reduced cost internet companies, and computer distribution for K-12 students. These are only a few of the concerns Tiyesha was able to tend to this year in addition to her legislative tasks of staffing five committees: education, housing, public-safety, transportation, human services, and two budget sub-committees.

Tiyesha gained the trust of her office colleagues and has created support systems throughout the Legislature, all the while developing lifelong friends within her Senate Fellows cohort. “I am grateful for the mentors, networking opportunities, and friendships that I have acquired along the way and look forward to advancing my career in public service,” she said.

Going forward,Tiyesha said she’ll continue to take inspiration to pursue her dreams from the late Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and former presidential candidate: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.”

California Senate Fellows Program