Academics

Engineering Professor Sarah Kurtz has been awarded the Reno Ferrero Family Chair in Electrical Engineering, making her the second woman to hold an endowed chair in the School of Engineering.

"I am truly honored to have been chosen for this chair, not only because of the donor and his achievements, that because this is going to greatly further the electrical engineering program at UC Merced," Kurtz said.

UC Merced is highlighting incoming first-year students for fall 2022 — a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats.

Jordynn Lewis is excited to start her journey as a UC Merced Bobcat when the fall semester begins in August. The first-year student recently graduated from Holy Names High School in her hometown of Oakland.

The state budget passed by the legislature and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom promises tens of millions of dollars for UC Merced to build the next generation of world-class programs and facilities.

The budget appropriates new funding for campus expansion, climate-related initiatives, the university's Community and Labor Center and a potential housing partnership.

UC Merced is highlighting incoming first-year students for fall 2022 - a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats.

Christian Boyd is ready for the next chapter of his life. The recent graduate of Brío College Prep in Los Angeles is leaving Southern California and joining his fellow Bobcats this fall as part of the Class of 2026.

"I chose to attend UC Merced because of the quiet rural atmosphere, a stark contrast from the harsh streets of downtown LA," he said.

To continue to execute and build a strong foundation for students of color to attend a four-year college, UC Merced held its first Black California Community Colleges CEO’s Retreat. The three-day event welcomed to the campus several Black community college leaders from around the state.

UC Merced is highlighting incoming first-year students for fall 2022 — a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats.

It’s no surprise Joselle Talabong was named Student of the Year from Delano High School. In addition to her academic prowess, the incoming first-year student participated in many extracurricular activities, including the United Filipino Organization, Chamber Choir, Service Club, Hallyu Club, Dance Team and student leadership.

UC Merced is highlighting incoming first-year students for fall 2022 — a dynamic, diverse and accomplished cohort of new Bobcats.

Kamil Williams-Fisher is enjoying the summer in her hometown of Los Angeles before starting classes this fall at UC Merced.

A graduate of St. Mary's Academy in Inglewood, she first heard about the newest UC from another Bobcat. However, she initially didn't apply because the university's location was so foreign to her.

The University of California, Merced, continues to pave the way to success for local high school students. The campus announced the expansion of the Merced Automatic Admission Program (MAAP) for students at Dinuba Unified School District (DUSD).

The new partnership will allow students with a weighted GPA of 3.5 with no grade lower than a “C” to be automatically admitted to UC Merced through a streamlined admissions process.

UC Merced continues to make history. The newest campus within the UC system has been ranked No. 25 in the 2022 Global Top 100 Most Innovative Universities by World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI.)

The campus was also ranked No. 8 for Industrial Application. The category acknowledges the institution's integrated curriculum, including location-based assignments and civic engagements in its global rotation cities.

Victor Oregon will attend UC Merced to study mechanical engineering this fall.

A key factor in his decision to attend UC Merced was its proximity to his family and to Yosemite National Park.

“I chose Merced for the financial aid that I am being awarded, and because of its unique location like no other,” he said. “I like how close it is to some of the best national parks in the United States. The campus also has National Park Service rangers on site.”