University of California, Berkeley graduates are making significant impacts in rural areas across California, according to an April 3 report. Alumni such as Ricky Satomi, Sarah Edwards, Brent Holtz, and Rey León have chosen career paths outside the state’s urban centers and now serve as leaders in fields like forestry, law, agriculture, and local government.
Their work highlights the important role that higher education can play in supporting rural communities. While most Berkeley graduates settle in cities where opportunities are more concentrated, some choose to return to or remain in small towns and agricultural regions. These individuals often become key figures who help bridge the gap between urban campuses and rural life.
Satomi works as a forester for several counties along the Western Sierra. He said his training at Berkeley prepared him for big-picture challenges but also showed him “you can have so much more impact at the local scale.” Edwards serves as counsel for Calaveras County after earning her degrees from Berkeley Law. She believes that bringing back experiences from outside helps strengthen her home community: “They bring their experience to these communities … And then maybe all of us can realize that the divide between cities and rural areas isn’t as big as we sometimes think it is.”
Holtz has spent decades advancing sustainable farming practices such as Whole Orchard Recycling in San Joaquin County—a method recognized by industry groups for its innovation. León’s activism began before he graduated from Berkeley; today he is mayor of Huron and has worked on infrastructure projects including a major bridge to improve public safety.
Despite their achievements, these alumni say recognition is rare both on campus and statewide. James Gallagher—Assembly minority leader and a UC Berkeley graduate—said that “California’s rural residents are very much overlooked” by city-centric policymakers.
Historically, UC Berkeley played a major role in agricultural research throughout California until changes after World War II reduced its direct involvement with rural regions. However, programs like forestry continue to connect students with non-urban communities through research on wildfire prevention or food systems initiatives.
As these alumni show through their careers and leadership roles, connections built at universities like Berkeley can have effects lasting decades into the future—not only improving individual lives but fostering greater understanding between urban centers and outlying areas.
