William Cao is a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, studying political science. Born and raised in San Francisco, he is passionate about civic engagement and international relations. He has studied abroad in Taiwan as a Gilman Scholar, an experience that deepened his interest in building bridges through education and cultural exchange. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he founded a global journalism initiative, the De-Polar Express Project, connecting politically engaged youth through reporting on issues affecting their communities. He currently serves as a Reagan Civic Leaders Fellow, exploring how local spaces such as college clubs can serve as entry points to building greater civic participation. At UCLA, he serves as a Matriculate College Advising Fellow, and was an American delegate at the 2026 Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford (FACES).  

In his free time, he enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and watching movies.