Desiree Lopez

Since 2008, University Friends Circle (UFC) has shown its support to UC Merced students through programs that promote community interaction.

One way UFC has been a critical advocate of the campus is by raising funds each year for UC Merced students and organizations through an endowed scholarship and Student Impact Funds.

After a selection process that included more than 40 individual applicants, six students were awarded the Distinguished Volunteer Scholarship for this year. In addition, two student groups received the Community Service Organization award.

UC Merced takes pride in encouraging the younger generation to learn more about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers by counting on some of the top educators in the fields.

To help expand the knowledge and encourage young girls to think about careers within STEM, cognitive science Professor Lace Padilla and mechanical engineering Professor Ashlie Martini recently highlighted their work on the CBS television show “Mission Unstoppable,” a series that spotlights cutting-edge female scientists and STEM professionals to inspire young girls.

The pandemic has changed many aspects of life, but UC Merced Bobcats demonstrated their ability to overcome life's unexpected curveballs during an academic year unlike any other.

To ensure each student’s accomplishments are celebrated, UC Merced will host its second virtual spring commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 15, for the Class of 2021.

Like many students at UC Merced, pre-medical student Nina Bouzamondo-Bernstein faced uncertainty as the COVID-19 pandemic spread throughout the world.

She had applied for more than 40 clinical research care openings, but the pandemic had closed them all down. Feeling cornered by the changes happening around her, she decided to take charge of the situation.

“I decided to take steps to give other students the resources they needed to continue studying,” Bouzamondo-Bernstein said. “That’s when I came up with the idea of an online platform.”

For the first time, UC Merced’s Political Science and Interdisciplinary Humanities (history discipline) graduate groups made national rankings.

US News & World Report’s annual rankings, released today, also highlighted the campus’s growing School of Engineering, as most of its programs climbed the charts.

UC Merced welcomed its first community wellness director this month. 

Lauren Ludlow is the newest member of the campus police department. As a director, she will work with the campus community to develop programs, partnerships and work with a team to introduce innovative ideas for enhancing community engagement.