From Hughson to UC Merced, Jacqueline Garcia’s daily commute became part of her story.
Now a civil engineering student, ASCE leader and Gallo intern, she’s found her community and her path forward.
Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/dvcbk3
Collage of student travelers posing at iconic European landmarks including the Colosseum, Milan Cathedral, Eiffel Tower and scenic nature spots.
Nationally recognized for opening doors to the world 🌎
UC Merced has been named a Gilman Top Producing Institution, highlighting its strong support for students pursuing study abroad opportunities.
Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/mrdt3n
A speaker presents at a UC Merced podium during a Center for Health Equity event, with a screen displaying a presentation on community health and equity.
Trust can change everything in healthcare.
New UC Merced research highlights how community health workers are helping build stronger connections between patients and providers across the San Joaquin Valley.
Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/gn41mc
A group of six students standing in front of a UC Merced backdrop holding a $5,000 donation check from the Turner Construction Company Foundation.
The Turner Construction Company Foundation donated $5,000 to UC Merced’s ASCE student chapter, opening doors for future engineers to attend conferences, build networks and explore career pathways.
Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/5ncpv8
From Delhi to UC Merced, Nayelyi Salazar took a leap of faith.
Now a public health major, Honors student and peer navigator, she’s proving what’s possible. Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/wtyqla
Lace up and join us for the Toloma 5K on March 21.
Celebrate Native heritage, community and connection to the land at this annual campus and community event. Register today to secure your spot and T-shirt.
Learn more and register here 🔗 ucm.edu/baq5fu
Golden sunlight filters through tall palm trees during a warm sunset.
90-degree days in March? 🥵
UC Merced experts explain why this early heat wave could hit harder than summer. Read more 🔗 ucm.edu/3xiquy
Alt text: Palm trees silhouetted against a glowing sunset sky with intense sunlight, symbolizing heat.
A water fountain sprays mist in the Little Lake fountain, creating a rainbow in the mist on the UC Merced campus, surrounded by trees and campus buildings.
A little St. Patrick’s Day magic at Little Lake. 🌈 Wishing our Bobcat community a lucky day!
Yellow warning sign on a sandy beach alerting visitors to keep out due to sewage-contaminated water that may cause illness.
New research indicates that industrial and consumer compounds are far more pervasive and persistent in the world’s oceans than scientists had realized. A new paper in Nature Geoscience, coauthored by Professor Michael Beman, details the team's findings. 🔗 ucm.edu/ocean-chem
On International Women’s Day, nearly 150 female high school student-athletes gathered at UC Merced for the Together We Will. 🔗 ucm.edu/dymb30
Alt text: Attendees wearing Together We Will shirts smile and clap during the Together We Will summit at UC Merced.
Three minutes. Big ideas.
Ten UC Merced graduate students take on the challenge at this year’s Grad Slam. 🔗 ucm.edu/qplym8
Alt Text: A graduate student presents on stage during UC Merced’s Grad Slam while an audience watches from rows of seats.
UC Merced researchers solved how bacteria use circadian clocks to control gene activity over a 24-hour cycle. Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/rtfmh1
Alt Text: Laboratory flasks with bright green liquid sit on a lab bench, sealed with cotton plugs.
Two weeks. Real national lab challenges. Apply for the 2026 Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Data Science Challenge for hands-on research, mentorship and a stipend. Deadline 3/6. 🔗 ucm.edu/kizl58
Alt text: Four students stand beside a large research poster in a classroom.
Former Gov. Gray Davis received the UC Merced Chancellor’s Medal, our highest honor, for his transformative leadership in bringing the 10th UC campus to the Central Valley. As we mark 20 years, we honor the bold vision that made UC Merced possible. 🔗 ucm.edu/iki4s9
Empathy leads the '26 Todo Cambia Human Rights Film Festival, March 2–6. Film and dialogue remind us that seeing one another can transform the world around us. 🔗 ucm.edu/scs4px
Alt text: Two women prepare bread at a dining table as rainbow light fills the room.
On March 8, female high school student-athletes will gather at UC Merced for Together We Will — a one-day summit focused on leadership, confidence and mental wellness. 🔗 together.ucmerced.edu #TogetherWeWill
Beyond the familiar names, Black scholars and innovators reshaped disciplines and transformed American life — often in the face of resistance. UC Merced faculty reflect on the figures who shaped their fields. 🔗 ucm.edu/m4z4dr
What if writing is actually a resilience tool?
UC Merced writing studies professor Emily Johnston explains how putting words on the page can help rewire the brain, process difficult emotions and strengthen our ability to bounce back.
Read more here 🔗 ucm.edu/dx3t08
In observance of Presidents’ Day, campus is closed today, February 16. 🇺🇸
With the rain falling today, it’s the perfect excuse to slow down, rest and recharge. Stay cozy and dry, Bobcats—we’ll see you tomorrow! 💛💙
UC Merced biochemist Andy LiWang is studying shape-shifting proteins that may help organisms adapt to temperature. Supported by a $1.2M Keck Foundation grant. 🔗 ucm.edu/fj85my
Three Merced painters, united in friendship and in their steadfast determination not to compromise their creative values, are serving as UC Merced’s first locally based artists-in-residence. Read our story about Ruben Aguilera Sanchez, Frank Ayala and Abel Corchado here 🔗 ucm.edu/gj9gpl
#BlackHistoryMonth recognizes the lasting contributions of Black scholars and leaders who have shaped academia. This month, UC Merced faculty reflect on the Black trailblazers who continue to inspire research on our campus.
Five UC Merced graduate students have been named 2025–26 ARCS Foundation Northern California Fellows, recognizing excellence in science, technology, engineering and math. Since 2022, ARCS has provided more than $200,000 in fellowship support to UC Merced scholars. 🔗 ucm.edu/kb90px
MLK Jr. Day of Service showed how service builds the beloved community Dr. King envisioned. Led by the Community Engagement Center, Bobcats marched downtown, served meals at the D Street Shelter and supported projects across Merced and Yosemite.
On Mon., Jan. 19, UC Merced will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a Day of Action, bringing our campus and community together in service. With campus closed that day, Bobcats are invited to serve across our community. 🔗 ucm.edu/n7lrai
As we wrap up 2025, we’re reflecting on the moments that shaped UC Merced. Explore our top news stories here 🔗 ucm.edu/news2025
UC Merced's social media is signing off for break & wishing you a joyful holiday season. See you in 2026, Bobcats!
Nearly 400 Bobcats celebrated Fall Commencement in downtown Merced. From first-gen milestones to powerful reminders to write your own story, the Class of 2025 made it official.🎓💛💙 ucm.edu/cw2nwb
Three weeks into Give to UC Merced, the support continues to lift students and strengthen opportunities across our campus. Every gift matters. Every gift makes a difference. 🔗 giveto.ucmerced.edu
“This university taught me that the greatest accomplishments aren’t always measured by grades or awards, but by perseverance and by the people we touch along the way.” - Heriberto Paz Benitez (’25), School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Congrats, Bobcats!
“...You will continue to have firsts in your journey ahead. The question is, How do you take charge of those moments?” - Anthony ‘AJ’ Heard, ('25), School of Engineering and School of Natural Sciences Student Keynote Speaker
Congratulations, Bobcats!
