Spring 2025 Fellow
Anthony Rendon was California’s second-longest serving Assembly Speaker from 2016 to 2023. During Rendon’s term, California’s Assembly adopted a number of landmark progressive policies including a $15 minimum wage, universal preschool, and more restrictions on guns and tobacco.
Rendon represents the 62nd District, which includes eight cities – Lakewood, Huntington Park, Maywood, Paramount, Lynwood, South Gate, Walnut Park, and Bellflower. He is the Chair of the Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy Outcomes. He is also the Chair of the Joint Committee on the Arts. One of the main issues he is known for addressing is revitalizing the Los Angeles River.
Prior to joining Assembly, he was executive director for Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. in Los Angeles County. Plaza provides comprehensive child development and social and medical services to over 2,300 children and families offered through Plaza’s 35 child development centers located throughout Los Angeles County. Before working at Plaza, Rendon served as the interim executive director of the California League of Conservation Voters from 2008 to 2009.
Rendon earned his Bachelors and Masters of Arts degrees from California State University, Fullerton. Rendon graduated from University of California, Riverside with a PhD and lives in Lakewood, California with his wife and daughter.
Study Group: Happiness and Public Policy
In the 25 years between 1998 and 2023, the percentage of Californians who say they are “very happy” decreased from 28% to 16% while the percentage who say they are “not too happy” doubled from 13% to 26%. Why? And what can the California Senate and Assembly do about it? Dr. Anthony Rendon, the Chair of the California State Legislature’s Select Committee on Happiness and Public Policy, led a weekly study group on the role of policy making in advancing happiness in the Golden State.
Spring 2025 Semester Recap
Anthony Rendon said this about his experience at USC’s Center for the Political Future: “I learned as much, if not more than the students in this study group. They helped me to both crystalize and critique my own approaches and thoughts. My favorite part of being a Fellow was easily the student interaction. They are smart, dedicated, and critical when they need to be. They are an impressive group and give me hope for the future.”
USC students in Anthony’s study group shared this about their experience:
“I did not expect happiness to be an important factor in politics prior to Anthony Rendon’s study group. I now know that happiness is not just an outcome of good public policy, but is a major factor behind good policymaking. From the consul general of Finland, to the creator of an emotional wellness app, Speaker Rendon brought in many people who collectively gave me a better understanding of what happiness can look like in politics. I loved how open Rendon was to talking about all sorts of topics, like the best food spots in Los Angeles.”
Lawrence Sung, International Relations (Global Business)
“I appreciated the opportunity to learn about Happiness and Public Policy from Anthony Rendon, a respected former Speaker of the California State Assembly. I gained an understanding of how policymakers, whether they work in transit agencies, urban planning agencies, or elected office, can create positive change in happiness, an ideal politics often fails to grasp the importance of. I cannot recommend study groups enough to students who want to have engaging conversations with peers and CPF Fellows and staff. The study groups allowed me, and everyone I know who participated in one, to make connections with peers and learn from people with illustrious careers in politics. Study groups allow students to meet leaders who want to interact with future leaders and share their knowledge of important topics they believe will have an outsized impact on the future of politics.”
Noah Schneider, Political Economy
“This study group helped me see happiness not just as a personal pursuit, but as a public good that policy can shape. I learned how lawmakers like Rendon are using data and research to rethink how we measure success in government. My favorite part was engaging with students and leaders across disciplines to explore how equity, well-being, and policy intersect. It made me more hopeful and curious about what’s possible.”
Naila Kabir, Political Science & Philosophy, Politics, and Law
Anthony shared his thoughts on the importance of politics, his first political experience, his advice for having respectful political discourse, and what he appreciates about CPF in his “Quick Takes: Q&A with CPF Fellow Anthony Rendon” video.