Undergraduate Experience at UC Merced

Student & Alumni Success

Big Smiles in Big Collection of New Bobcats at Scholars Bridge Crossing

August 25, 2026

UC Merced students and Rufus mascot at Beginnings sculpture during Scholars Bridge Crossing
A smiling throng of new faces took part Tuesday in one of UC Merced’s oldest traditions, the Scholars Bridge Crossing. Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and other campus leaders led the march over the bridge. Blue and gold balloons arced over the span, which was lined with cheering staff,...
Professor Patti LiWang and student Adesh Johal, holding a syringe and a test tube, stand in a lab at UC Merced.

Early Ambition, Hard Work Lead to Graduating UC Merced at 19

A few months ago, Adesh Johal wanted to join Patti LiWang's research group. "At the time, he was loaded up on credits so it didn't seem like he would have enough time to get...
Graphic with Bobcat Bound graphic ad headshot of Esperanza Garcia

Merced Native Sets Sights on Career in Veterinary Medicine

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Driven by a passion for animal care, incoming biological sciences major student Esperanza...
Bobcat Bound graphic with headshot of Shrihan Lakinana

Dublin High Grad Drawn to UC Merced’s Growth and Potential

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Incoming UC Merced student Shrihan Lakinana is bringing a growth mindset, a passion for...

A Healer Shaped by the Valley and Devoted to Its Future

Editor's note: This story is republished from the Spring/Summer 2026 issue of UC Merced Magazine. Dr. Garima Handa's journey from an undergraduate at UC Merced to a physician...
collage of three graduate students: Brianna Aguilar-Solis, Vanessa Sanchez and Nora Shamoon

Three UC Merced Students Receive Fellowships Supporting Future Faculty

UC Merced doctoral students Brianna Aguilar-Solis, Vanessa Sanchez and Nora Shamoon have been awarded the 2026-2027 UC President's Pre-Professoriate Fellowship, a University of California...
Bobcat Bound graphic and a photo of incoming student Peyton Smith.

Fresno Student Eager to Dive into Life at UC Merced

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Peyton Smith brings a love of water sports, an interest in medicine and a goal to work as a...
David Miguel

Summer Program Helps First-Gen Student Take Flight Into Drone Research

When first-generation mechanical engineering student David Miguel arrived at UC Merced, he had no research experience, but a passion for engineering and a desire to learn. A former foster care...
New UC Merced student and the Bobcat Bound graphic

From Atwater to UC Merced with a Big Head Start

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. Tayven Tipler won’t travel far from his hometown when he starts at UC Merced and he is...
Wonderful Ezieme

Victorville Student Pursues Neuroscience at UC Merced

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester. After moving from Nigeria to the United States two years ago, Wonderful Ezieme built a...

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