History & Heritage

Social Sciences Graduate Programs Shine in U.S. News Rankings

April 10, 2025

UC Merced political science mock legislative hearing

UC Merced’s School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts made a splash in the latest rankings of university graduate programs compiled by U.S. News and World Report. The university’s Political Science program ranked 52nd in the nation, tied with UC Riverside, Purdue University-...

Students, Colleagues Host Symposium in Tribute to Aldenderfer’s Archaeology

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Mark S. Aldenderfer is being honored for his long and storied archaeology career at this year’s Society for American Archaeology (SAA) annual meeting, in...

Research Week Offers Both Virtual and In-person Events This Year

Research Week, the annual showcase of UC Merced’s important explorations into some of the world's most pressing challenges, kicks off Monday with the Sierra Nevada Research Institute’...

Three people featured in the film walk together

'Letters2Maybe' Explores Struggle for Stability and Happiness Among Immigrants

“Letters2Maybe,” the latest film by Professor Yehuda Sharim with UC Merced’s Department of Global Arts Studies, premiers next week at the New Jersey International Film...

Events Honor Indigenous Peoples' Day & Native American Heritage Month

UC Merced understands and values the need to acknowledge the rich and diverse history of those who came before us and who are still with us today. In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day,...

Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom and Hope for the Future

Every American knows we celebrate freedom on the Fourth of July, but very few people know what Juneteenth celebrates, or even recognize the date. A Harris Poll conducted last June found 22% of...

With Fire Threatening, National Parks Turn to UC Merced for Help Preserving History

Ward Eldredge warily monitored the fire’s progress. As curator of the archives of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, he deliberated what would need to be done if the nearby Castle...

Professor Emeritus Mark Aldenderfer Honored with Dickson Chair

Esteemed anthropologist and archaeologist Professor Mark Aldenderfer, who retired this month from UC Merced, has been awarded the Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship Endowed Chair, the university...

Professor Mark Aldenderfer Closes His Time at UC Merced and Seeks New Mountains to Climb

Esteemed archaeologist and anthropologist Mark Aldenderfer, the new Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship endowed chair, brings his distinguished time on campus to a close this month, as he...

Whiting Fellowship Will Help Build Refugee View into High School Curricula

The Whiting Public Engagement Program has awarded a $50,000 fellowship to Professor Ma Vang for her efforts to integrate the experiences of refugees into education for high school students in...

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