Meet Caillou Dasalla ’26

Where are you from and what is your background?
I was born and raised in Castro Valley, California and graduated from California State University, East Bay in 2022 with my BA in Political Science and a concentration in Public Administration and Affairs. While at East Bay, I worked as a grassroots organizer, local campaign manager, and went on to participate in the Sacramento Semester Program as a Legislative Aide in the State Assembly. I am also the proud queer and mixed race son of a public school teacher and healthcare worker whose impassioned vigor for public policy is derived from my intersectional upbringing in a diverse, tight knit, and unincorporated East Bay community.

Why did you apply for this graduate program and decide to study at USF?
I chose to apply to the Urban and Public Affairs (UPA) program at the University of San Francisco due to its interdisciplinary opportunities and the supportiveness of the program faculty. From having worked on many sides of the political and policy process, I appreciate the undeniably interdisciplinary nature of public affairs work. So selecting a program that enables its students to study and act on their policy interests, with the support of highly knowledgeable professors who care about your success, and against the backdrop of one of the most progressive cities in the nation, was a no-brainer — especially with the added support of the Dean’s Scholarship. Just within my first semester, I have been able to pursue courses across disciplines that compliments my academic interest in examining the California state budget and state finances. And, in doing so, the UPA program faculty have been encouraging and considerate of my individual path as a graduate student.

What impacts has the Dean's Scholarship had on your ability to further your studies?
The Dean’s Scholarship has been an indispensable part of attending the University of San Francisco. As a middle class student from the Bay Area, scholarships and awards have been necessary for my educational attainment since I began my higher learning. The Dean’s Scholarship has allowed me to not only afford graduate school in the short-term, but to begin saving for further educational expenses to come. The scholarship has also been deeply encouraging, serving as a major boost to my enthusiasm for graduate school and the opportunity to continue to learn and grow to the best of my ability.

What are your career ambitions?
My greatest professional ambition is to become a knowledgeable California policy practitioner that can advocate for the betterment of our state’s governance, public services, and citizens’ general welfare. And, I am also inspired by the words of my role model and selfless, teacher mom who has always encouraged my brother and I to “help others wherever you end up in life.” I intend to do so wherever my career in public policy may take me.

What is something unique or interesting about you?
In my senior year of high school, I self-published a case study entitled “The Eurovision Song Contest: A Postwar Program for Peace or Platform for Geopolitics” as written for an English final. The final piece totaled over 60 pages and [still] parallels my personal passion for the Eurovision Song Contest as an annual music festival that unites people through camp and culture.