GENup is California’s largest youth-led education policy organization, engaging over 4,000+ student leaders from across the state that come from 85 K-12 public school districts as well as University of California and California State University institutions. 

GENup’s successes include working with the State Board of Education to create the State Seal for Civic Engagement, championing the historic ethnic studies bill (AB101) through the legislature & into law, fighting for equitable education funding during COVID, advocating for statewide mental health reform through legislation, successfully authoring/advocating/passing a bill into law on student board member rights (AB 824), campaigning for the U.S Department of Education’s first youth-advisory council, and passing (Los Angeles Unified, San Diego Unified, and Fresno Unified) first student bill of rights, collectively representing over 1.2 million students. In all, 47 education bills  GENup sponsored, authored, or wrote have been signed into law by Governor Newsom, including legislation requiring a mental health curriculum in all high school health education courses. 

GENup has become an influential youth-voice representing California’s students in the most pressing conversations on education policy, and our more than 100+ local chapters are one of the most effective platforms for grassroots student-led activism in our state.

From top to bottom, GENup is for youth and by youth!

Education

GENup

Alvin Lee

Sheila Menon

George Ashford

Martín Orea

Luca K.

Sanya Dhama

Maegha Ramanathan

The Leadership Team at GENup drives the organization's strategic vision and oversees its operations to ensure effective advocacy for youth-led education policy. This diverse team, encompassing roles from finance to communications, collaborates to amplify student voices, forge critical partnerships, and spearhead initiatives that shape educational legislation in California. By leveraging their expertise, they empower student leaders and champion policies aimed at achieving equitable and inclusive education for all students.

Leadership Team

Partnerships and External Relations

Leadership Team

About

Team members

Other teams at GENup

Partnerships and External Relations