Staff & Faculty News

Two Weeks, One Challenge, Lifelong Impact: Bobcats Dive into Data Science Challenge

October 6, 2025

This summer's cohort of Data Science Challenge students and Professor Suzanne Sindi (red scarf)

Kathy Chau believed she knew what her future would look like. The first in her family to attend college, she had long been advised to aim for a safe and stable job — one that might not light a fire in her soul but would pay the bills. “I resigned myself to working a corporate job. I...

Jessica "JaeJae" Julian ('10) poses with two awards from District VII of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

UC Merced Strikes ‘Grand Gold’ for Alumni Chat Series

In 2013, UC Merced’s Alumni Relations staff proposed an idea: Invite alumni back to campus to talk to current students about their post-graduation careers and experiences. That idea became...

Workshops to Inform Staff on New GE Program

This fall, UC Merced launches a new undergraduate education program that fully supports students in achieving the Hallmarks of the Baccalaureate Degree at UC Merced. The program nurtures a spirit...

Several hundred UC Merced staff members, seated at tables outdoors, enjoy lunch during Staff Appreciation Week.

News and Notes: Staff Had ‘Rad’ Time During ’80s-Themed Appreciation Week

UC Merced staff members got the time to enjoy the company of their colleagues while being saluted for the tireless work they do to support students, faculty members and the university’s mission...

Craig Harmelin and Suki Spencer are among the first staff members on campus to receive Fulbright awards

New Fulbright Awards Strengthen Campus Study-Abroad Initiatives

Two staff members in UC Merced’s Office of International Affairs have earned prestigious Fulbright awards that will help the campus expand and develop study-abroad opportunities for students...

Coty Ventura steams a graduation gown while her daughter Bobbi assists.

Volunteers Help Make Commencement Memorable for Grads, Families

Early on Mother’s Day morning, Coty Ventura and her daughters Bobbi and Jessica headed to UC Merced to do their part to help make the day special for hundreds of UC Merced graduates and their...

Staff members do the Electric Slide during last year's Staff Appreciation Week picnic.

Party Like It’s the 1980s During Staff Appreciation Week

Get ready to break out your “Flashdance” leg warmers and wear your sunglasses at night: Staff Appreciation Week (SAW) is here, and it’s taking UC Merced back to the ‘80s...

Prestigious University Press Signs Professor as Book Series Editor

Interdisciplinary Humanities Professor Arturo Arias was recently selected to edit a series of indigenous-studies books for the State University of New York (SUNY) Press. That makes him the first...

Professor’s Fellowship Allows Renewed Focus on Sociology of Race in South Africa

Professor Whitney Pirtle recently became the first researcher to win the prestigious Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship while employed at UC Merced — a grant that will help her finish...

Health Psychology Professor Wins Prestigious Award

The Society of Pediatric Psychology has recognized Professor Deborah Wiebe for her body of research on the psychology of adolescent health. Wiebe, the head of UC Merced’s Health Psychology...

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