Student Life

UC Merced Celebrates 15 Years as a Hispanic-serving Institution

October 8, 2025

Photo depicts a graduation cap with writing on it in Spanish at UC Merced's commencement.

Fifteen years ago, UC Merced was designated as a Hispanic-serving institution. And though recent developments at the federal government have left what that designation means in limbo, the mission of serving the university’s largest demographic has remained unchanged. More than 53 percent...

UC Merced Named Top 5 ‘Cool School’ by Sierra Club and Makes 'Green College Honor Roll'

UC Merced’s national reputation for sustainability continues to grow, with the Sierra Club naming the university No. 5 on its 2020 “Cool Schools” list and The Princeton Review...

Students will be able to connect with each other and vital resources through the new virtual Student Den initiative.

‘Student Success Anywhere’: Innovative Student Den Program to Provide Community for Undergraduates this Fall

The coronavirus has changed the way people work and live: One population feeling it most acutely is students. This semester undoubtedly will be different for both new and returning UC Merced...

UC Merced Makes Strong Debut in Money’s "Best Colleges" Rankings by Value

UC Merced is one of the country’s best four-year universities for quality, affordability and alumni outcomes, according to Money’s 2020 Best Colleges rankings by value. In its first...

UC Merced is agile in nature, finding creative solutions to provide students the Bobcat experience despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Bobcats Head Back to Class as UC Merced Celebrates 15 Years

Bobcats go back to school today and while most are not physically returning to campus, there are still plenty of festivities planned to kick off the semester. This year marks 15 years since the...

UC Merced Wins Best Practice Awards for Sustainability Efforts

UC Merced is the only campus to win three best practice awards in the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference ’s 2020 energy and sustainability competition. The annual...

The Beginnings sculpture on the UC Merced campus.

Six Students and Two Community Service Organizations Awarded University Friends Circle Scholarships

University Friends Circle (UFC) supports the mission of UC Merced and one way the group does that directly is by supporting students. Each year, UFC members raise money to fund scholarships for...

Students Can Go Online for Wide Range of Leadership, Service and Career Support Services

UC Merced’s support for students who are building leadership skills, engaging in community outreach or searching for careers is going strong during the campus’s move to remote instruction...

‘Philanthropy Day’ Celebrates UC Merced’s Growing Culture of Giving

The Bobcat culture of giving will be celebrated with cookies and fun on Thursday, as the campus marks UC Merced Philanthropy Day hosted by the Student Alumni Association. “The annual...

UC Merced Wins Grant to Financially Support Undergrads Who Volunteer in Local Schools

UC Merced students will be able to earn money for college by helping Merced County kids become strong readers thanks to a pilot grant from the AmeriCorps Service Fellowship program. The grant,...