Campus Community

Open Arms, Open Skies: Students Welcomed at Spirited, Soggy Scholars Bridge Crossing

August 26, 2025

Spirits were high and futures bright while all else was soaked in a summer storm that made Tuesday morning’s Scholars Bridge Crossing, UC Merced’s traditional greeting to new students, a welcome unlike any before. Call them Thunder ‘Cats. The ceremony embraced about 2,000...

‘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...

Psychological Sciences Ph.D. student Maria Ramirez Loyola is working to understand why some people are better equipped than others to handle stressful experiences.

Grad Student Seeks Key Characteristics to Resiliency

From a young age, Maria Ramirez Loyola has been fascinated by the trait of resiliency. Her mother escaped an abusive marriage and fled from Mexico to the U.S. with two small children in tow....

Leily Kiani (’16) is one of 21 former Bobcats who currently work at LLNL, strengthening the bond between the university and national lab.

‘Yes, You Can’: UC Merced Students Learning, Growing at Livermore Lab

Just 90 miles from the future of higher education — UC Merced — lies one of the epicenters of the future of technology, innovation and national security. Regardless of the route you...

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will give a speech on the future of civic engagement as part if interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom's speaker series.

Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to Speak at UC Merced

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will give a speech on the future of civic engagement as part of UC Merced interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom’s speaker series. Villaraigosa was...

‘E-Week’ Shines Spotlight on Engineering Field, Students

Competitions, showcases, career success stories and more highlight the work of the School of Engineering and its students at UC Merced’s annual celebration of National Engineers Week, Feb. 18...

UC Merced Police Department officers, student mentors and Margaret Sheehy Elementary School students gather for a group photo during their beautification project.

UC Merced Police Beautify Local School Alongside Elementary Students

The UC Merced Police Department and its student partners ventured off campus and into the local community to work alongside elementary students to improve their campus through the inaugural...

UC Merced students in the Leadership & Service Living Learning Community take in the view from atop Mount Tamalpais.

Nature Retreat Teaches Students the Importance of Service to Community

Hiking to the top of Marin County’s iconic Mount Tamalpais gave a group of UC Merced students not only a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean, but insight into how they, as individuals, can...

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,...

Maria Nishanian will assist graduate students with academic support, time management skills, communication skills, and referrals to campus and community resources.

Grad Students Gain an Ally in New Academic Counselor

Graduate students face a number of unique challenges as they embark on the life-changing journey of earning their master’s or Ph.D. Adjusting to graduate studies, achieving work-life balance...