Ernesto Arciniega

Assistant Director for Governmental Relations and Legislative Analysis

Ernesto Arciniega joined the University of California Office of Federal Governmental Relations (UC FGR) in January 2025 as the assistant director for governmental relations and legislative analysis, working on the education and health portfolios. Prior to joining UC FGR, Ernesto was with the University of California Graduate and Professional Council (UCGPC) for four years, most recently as the director of government relations and legislative affairs and previously as the director of outreach and vice chair. In his most recent position with UCGPC, Ernesto managed the organization’s advocacy portfolio, including organizing lobbying days in Sacramento and Washington, DC. Ernesto has held leadership roles with Rock the Vote, served on the Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) Board of Directors and was a fellow at the UC National Center for Free Speech and Civic Engagement. From 2014-24, he held numerous student advocacy roles at both UC Berkeley and UCLA, focusing on student governance, supporting undocumented students, advancing civic and political engagement and leading systemwide initiatives that elevate the graduate student experience. Ernesto received a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.A. from UCLA.
 
Ernesto supports the education and health portfolios and their directors, focusing on the following policy areas:

Education

• Department of Education (Higher Education, Campus Safety, Education Research, Graduate Education, International Education and Language Training, K-12 Education, Student and Institutional Accountability, STEM Ed, Teacher Preparation and Professional Development), Student Financial Aid (Pell Grants, Student Loans, Campus-Based Programs), Academic Preparation and Student Outreach, including TRIO and GEAR UP, Immigration-Related issues (International Students and Scholars, H-1B and Employment Visas), Undocumented Student issues, Museums and Libraries, including NAGPRA, Education-Related Tax issues, Veterans Educational Benefits, National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities.

Health

• Legislative and regulatory matters related to Medicare and Medicaid coverage and payment systems; the 340B Drug Pricing Program; health equity; health professions education and training; Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Health), Food and Drug Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (Health), Department of Defense health programs, and the National Institutes of Health (in coordination with FGR’s Research team).