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UC Merced 2007 Graduate Profiles

This year's Commencement happens on May 18th. We are profiling many of our graduates on our Web site, so check back often to meet more of them.

Name: Siripa “Sara” Nuelsuma

Age: 22
Hometown: Alhambra, CA (Southern California)
Major: Psychology

What are your post-graduation plans? I’m planning to work for about a year while I study for my GREs and look into different grad schools. I’m not sure what I want my master’s in yet, so I’ll probably spend time looking into different programs and what I want my degree in.

Where do you want to be in five years? In five years, I hope to start/continue with my Ph.D program, and work at a place where I could see myself retiring from in the future.

How did UC Merced help prepare you for your future? UC Merced helped me realize the endless possibilities that come with getting your degree. I made lots of friends and received many networking opportunities that I know will help me after I leave.

What advice would you offer to incoming students? Take advantage of the student to professor ratio. It’s rare to have such close relations with your professors who know you by name and face. Also, take advantage of our career center, student activities, etc…, and realize that UC Merced isn’t just a school – we’re all family here.

Name: Nolan Noble

Age: 22
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
Major: Cognitive Science, Economics

What are your post-graduation plans? To attend a master's program in the United Kingdom. Thus far I've received an offer from the University of Birmingham and am awaiting offers from other universities.

Where do you want to be in five years? In five years I either want to be near the end of my Ph.D or working as a professor at a research university.

How did UC Merced help prepare you for your future? The small class sizes gave me one-on-one contact with faculty which allowed me to develop myself in research beyond what would've been capable at another UC. Additionally, some of the classes offered due to the smaller campus were able to be offered in a style more similar to that of graduate study.

What advice would you offer to incoming students? If you're planning on graduate study, then get knowledgeable in your field by doing internships, knowing how a class fits into your field, working with professors once your knowledgeable enough to do so, start looking at grad schools and looking at their criterion (or who gets accepted), apply for prestigious scholarships, and apply to grad school early. Probably the best piece of advice to offer is to NOT procrastinate.

Name: Lisa Marie Matthews

Age: 24
Hometown: Burbank, CA
Major: Psychology

What are your post-graduation plans? I will be going to New Zealand in August, and when I come back I will continue research on my honors thesis and apply for jobs/internships at UCLA or an autism center. I will apply for grad school, as well, during my year off, and will continue my wonderful job as a sales associate at New York & Company. =)

Where do you want to be in five years? In the process of getting my Ph.D. and my dream house.

How did UC Merced help prepare you for your future? I was lucky enough to be here at UC Merced to take advantage of the intimate atmosphere. I am from L.A., so just the small-town adventures were different and special to me. We are all new here to the campus, so we all came from the same starting point and we all welcomed each other's help, to not only benefit our academic careers, but the reputation of the school as well.

What advice would you offer to incoming students? Bond with a professor who has the same academic interests as you; do an honors thesis ASAP; smile; try not to procrastinate; and live off campus.

Here's a list of all of our featured Graduate Profiles.

Note to Graduates: If you want to be featured, contact Lorena Anderson in theOffice of Communications at (209) 228-4408 or landerson4@ucmerced.edu.