ƵAPP

Brenda Ortiz

ƵAPP campus photo of sign

Senior Public Information Representitive

Office: (209) 228-4203

Mobile: (209) 628-8263

bortiz@ucmerced.edu

Josiah Beharry Offers Unique Perspective as 50th Student Regent

First-generation doctoral student Josiah Beharry made history in 2023 when he was chosen as the first student regent from ƵAPP.

In addition to being the 50th student to serve on the that governs the University of California system, Beharry also is the first publicly identified undocumented DACA student to be named.

Born in Trinidad, he immigrated to the U.S. with his family at age 3 and was raised in Ventura.

Fellowship Draws ƵAPP Alum Back to the Capitol

As one of ƵAPP’s first students, Josue “Josh” Franco seized the chance to help shape student government for future scholars on campus; now he has grasped a new opportunity on Capitol Hill.

The three-time alumnus (B.A. ’09, M.A. ’16, Ph.D. ’18) has been awarded the American Political Science Association’s for 2024-25.

Alice Waters Institute Challenges Student Chefs to Get Creative

Student employees in ƵAPP’s dining centers got an up-close look at the sustainable techniques at a family almond farm and were challenged to create locally sourced dishes as part of a workshop inspired by an internationally famous chef. The workshop was presented by the in collaboration with ƵAPP Executive Chefs Anthony Pangelina and Mitchell Vanagten.

Fresno Developer Ed Kashian Named 2024 Chancellor's Medal Recipient

Philanthropist and community leader Ed Kashian was awarded the ƵAPP Chancellor’s Medal, the university’s highest honor, at the campus’s on Oct. 9.

U.S. News Places ƵAPP Among Top 30 Public Schools Following Top Social Mobility Ranking By Wall Street Journal

The University of California, Merced, climbed once again in US News & World Report’s Best Colleges report, rising to the 26th best public school in the nation. Among all universities, ƵAPP came in at No. 58 in the 2024-25 rankings released today – continued improvement over last year’s report when it cracked the Top 60 for the first time.

ƵAPP and LACCD Forge New Transfer Pathway to Boost Student Access, Success

A memorandum of understanding signed between University of California, Merced, and the Los Angeles Community College District this week will extend access for transfer students through the Merced Promise Pathway Program.

ƵAPP Ranked No. 1 in the Nation for Social Mobility, No. 18 Overall

When it comes to changing the lives of its students, ƵAPP is second to none.

In the latest America's Best Colleges rankings, ƵAPP was the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility — a term used to describe how well colleges and universities attract, retain and help students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds complete their degrees and graduate into promising careers.

Campus Hosts Computational Chemistry Conference

ƵAPP was the site of the 22nd Molecular Education and Research Consortium in Undergraduate computational chemistRY () Conference held in mid-July.

Fulbright Award Sends Physics Grad Student to France for Quantum Research

Persistence has paid off for ƵAPP doctoral candidate Arabi Seshappan.

The graduate student from Fremont, about to start her sixth year, was selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program's , which is only granted to three U.S. students each year.

Honor Student Gives ƵAPP a New 'Cat to Cheer About

This is part of a of new ƵAPP Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2024 semester.

Jenna Hinds, a Central Valley native, is bringing spirit to ƵAPP. Hinds discovered a passion for cheerleading as a senior in high school. After participating in ƵAPP tryouts, will join the university cheer team’s elite squad this fall.

Where I come from: I’m from Stevinson and I graduated from Turlock Christian High School.