Campus Community

Open Arms, Open Skies: Students Welcomed at Spirited, Soggy Scholars Bridge Crossing

August 26, 2025

Spirits were high and futures bright while all else was soaked in a summer storm that made Tuesday morning’s Scholars Bridge Crossing, UC Merced’s traditional greeting to new students, a welcome unlike any before. Call them Thunder ‘Cats. The ceremony embraced about 2,000...

UC Merced graduate student Josiah Beharry appointed as 2024-25 UC student Regent

The University of California Board of Regents has appointed University of California, Merced graduate student Josiah Beharry to be the 2024-25 student Regent. Beharry is the 50th student...

Joslyn Conchas is one of 15 incoming students who were accepted into UC Merced’s inaugural San Joaquin Valley Prime+ B.S. to M.D. pathway that focuses on high school students who are committed to pursuing careers in medicine.

Fresno Native Takes Next Step to Becoming a Doctor

For Joslyn Conchas, becoming a physician wasn’t always the plan. “I wanted to be a veterinarian, but that was before I saw firsthand how impactful health disparities are within my...

Environmental Research, Working Toward Saving the Planet Among New Bobcat’s Plans

Incoming Bobcat Benji Thier already knows what he wants to do with his college degree: Save the planet. “I am planning to study Environmental Systems Science because I did some environmental...

Incoming first-year student Preston Nguyen knows how to balance academics and soccer.

Soccer Standout Heads to UC Merced this Fall

Since age 5, Preston Nguyen has been kicking around a soccer ball. “I have been consumed by the sport ever since,” the Turlock native said. “I can play any role in the midfield,...

Luis Rubén González Marquez is conducting research this summer in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala thanks to funding from a ASA Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant

Sociology Student Receives Campus’s First NSF-funded Dissertation Award

UC Merced doctoral student Luis Rubén González Marquez was awarded the American Sociological Association Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant (ASA DDRIG), funded by the National...

SoCal Student Says UC Merced Will Be a ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

UC Merced is highlighting incoming students for fall 2023 — a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats. It's the change of pace that Kayla Lopez has been craving. In...

Native Nights to Showcase Indigenous Culture at UC Merced

Indigenous drumming, storytelling and art will be on full display at UC Merced during the inaugural Native Nights event. The UC Merced Native and Indigenous Student Coalition (NISC) is...

After more than 15 years at UC Merced, Associate Director for Educational Equity and Access for the Calvin E. Bright Success Center Alejandro Delgadillo is retiring.

Delgadillo Reflects on 30 Years of Serving Students

When Associate Director for Educational Equity and Access for the Calvin E. Bright Success Center Alejandro Delgadillo announced his plans for retirement earlier this year in a social media post,...

Incoming UC Merced student Delia Rodriguez

Incoming Fresno Student Prepares to Launch Her Health Career at UC Merced

UC Merced is highlighting incoming students for fall 2023 — a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats. Delia Rodriguez poured her heart into college prep — ...