Manuel Reyes graduated in June 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies: Political Science from UC San Diego. In addition, he is also a part of the dual degree BA/MIA program at UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy and is on track to graduate with his Master of International Affairs with a regional focus in the Pacific Rim by June 2023. Manuel is very passionate about national security, immigration and refugee policy, and diplomacy. 

Manuel is also involved in local San Diego civics and currently serves as Community Representative and LGBTQIA+ Liaison for Councilmember Jennifer Campbell at the City of San Diego. He oversees community engagement and public relations in the office for the Ocean Beach and Old Town neighborhoods and also advises the Councilmember on public safety related policies. 

Manuel was born and raised in San Diego County and is the son of two Mexican immigrants who migrated from Michoacán, Mexico. With that said, he hopes to represent the Mexican American community and also the greater immigrant community in the policymaking space.