Students

Graduate Students Highlight Research and Campus Life to Encourage Transfers

December 5, 2025

Three Ph.D. students recently visited Madera Community College to share research findings and highlight opportunities available to transfer students at UC Merced. Emily Rivera Mondragon, a second-year environmental systems Ph.D. student, joined sociology graduate students Justin Barnes...

Honor Student Gives UC Merced a New 'Cat to Cheer About

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2024 semester. Jenna Hinds, a Central Valley native, is bringing spirit to UC Merced. Hinds discovered a...

Training Ph.D. Candidates for Peer Support Roles

As a young institution in the University of California system, UC Merced has placed a strong emphasis on serving students who are the first in their families to pursue graduate education. With its...

UC Merced student Josh Ren is pictured in an economics class.

Students Find Inspiration, Success at UC Merced

Coming out of high school in San Jose, Josh Ren found himself with limited options for college. He wasn't sold on UC Merced at first, but eventually jumped at the opportunity to attend a...

Lexi Wright Scores Goals on the Soccer Field and in the Classroom

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2024 semester. Alexis “Lexi” Wright gives her all, excelling in school and on the soccer field...

It’s Official: UC Merced to Compete in NCAA Division II Athletics

UC Merced will begin Division II competition after official acceptance Thursday by the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). The university will begin NCAA Division II competition in the...

A graphic depicts a book, a light bulb, a computer and a mug of Jesus Silva.

Bobcat Looks to Leave His Mark at 'Freshly Made' UC Merced

Editor's note:This is part of a series of profilesabout new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2024 semester. Jesus Silva graduated from Central Valley High School in Ceres after being...

From Bakersfield to a ‘Peaceful’ Place to Pursue Science, Medicine

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2024 semester. San Joaquin Valley native Anmol Kaur is well on her way to making a splash in the...

UC Merced VC of Student Affairs Charles Nies with students

Lighting the Path: Thank You and Farewell to Charles Nies

It’s spring break 2009 and Jane Lawrence is rushing across campus, the words from the phone call still ringing in her ear. The unimaginable is happening and she must tell Charles Nies...

UC Merced students look at high-speed rail tracks during a site visit.

High-Speed Rail, High-Quality Jobs: Career Trek Shows Students Opportunities

California high-speed rail, a multibillion-dollar project designed to connect the Central Valley to Los Angeles and the Bay Area, promises swift transportation, the protection of agricultural land...