Student Life

UC Merced Receives 2025 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award

September 12, 2025

The University of California, Merced, has received the 2025 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The annual HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and...

Scholars Bridge Crossing Event (Slideshow)

Thousands of incoming UC Merced students participated in the Scholars Bridge Crossing, one of the university's earliest traditions. The annual event is a rite of passage for new Bobcats...

The Labyrinth Provides Space to Reflect, Meditate and Find Peace on Campus

Just in time for the start of the academic year, UC Merced's newest landmark has opened —The Labyrinth. Located in Kelley Grove overlooking Little Lake, UC Merced Art Director Collin...

Move-in Weekend 2023 (Slideshow)

UC Merced welcomed back thousands of students to campus for the start of the university's 19th academic year! From Aug. 17-20, family and friends joined incoming Bobcats as they arrived on...

Bobcats Returning to New Features and Opportunities at UC Merced

UC Merced is preparing to welcome back thousands of students to campus for the start of the university's 19th academic year. From Aug. 17-20, family and friends will join incoming Bobcats as...

Students to Present Wide Array of Research at Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium

UC Merced students will present research conducted over the summer at the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Center (UROC) annual Undergraduate Research Symposium. The research presentations...

UC Merced Students Get Firsthand Political Experience at California Legislature

After taking part in the UC Merced Center for Analytic Political Engagement 's inaugural legislative boot camp, students say they are better prepared to take on the first internships of their...

Clovis Native Excited to Represent the Central Valley Playing for UC Merced Volleyball Team

UC Merced is highlighting incoming students for fall 2023 — a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats. When Clovis native and lifelong volleyball player Morgan Wilson...

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...