As a way to help students reach their academic goals, UC Merced is inviting campus supporters to virtually come together and take part in the “Give to UC Merced” initiative.
For a second year, the traditional 24-hour period of giving held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving will be expanded through the whole month of December. The event will begin Tuesday, Nov. 30, and end Friday, Dec. 31.
As one of the most diverse institutions in the University of California system, UC Merced welcomes and supports all undocumented students.
On Tuesday, Nov. 9, the campus joined the national movement I Stand With Immigrants Initiative Day of Action to celebrate all immigrants who are part of the Bobcat community and worldwide.
UC Merced wants to make it easier for students at Central Valley community colleges to join the Bobcat community and transfer by using an accessible Web-based program. 
California Natural Resources Sec. Wade Crowfoot joined UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and local leaders today (Nov. 2) to discuss the university-led research on drought, fire and broader climate resilience.
“The programs that are happening at UC Merced are remarkable. What a lot of Californians do not know is that the state uses a lot of the research that comes from this institution,” said Crowfoot.
UC Merced’s commitment to the success of Latino students has been recognized with the prestigious Seal of Excelencia. 
Gov. Gavin Newsom, speaking at UC Merced on Monday, announced that the state will support the building of the university’s new medical education building.
The Health, Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education Building will support a B.S.-to-M.D. joint degree program with UCSF-Fresno, starting in 2023, along with public health and psychological sciences faculty and students.
“We hope that students stay in the Valley and serve the people who made their education possible. To develop the talent, it takes time. But this is the beginning,” Newsom said.
UC Merced understands and values the need to acknowledge the rich and diverse history of those who came before us and who are still with us today. 
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded UC Merced’s Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) five grants totaling more than $6.9 million for its Talent Search program.
The program aims to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their post-secondary education.
Distinguished UC Merced Director of Medical Education and public health Professor Dr. Thelma Hurd has been appointed the inaugural Thondapu Family Endowed Chair in Medical Education.
“I am both gratified and honored,” said Hurd. “It is truly an important step in establishing a long-term medical education program on the campus and for the community.”
