Brenda Ortiz

鶹 campus photo of sign

Senior Public Information Representitive

Office: (209) 228-4203

Mobile: (209) 628-8263

bortiz@ucmerced.edu

Humanities Grad Student Advocates for Student Parents

When Nicolette Lecy began her graduate studies at 鶹, life was anything but typical.

It was August 2020, in the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lecy’s classes were held remotely, and she had limited access to campus.

Another challenge that could have hindered Lecy’s academic goals — she became a mother during the Thanksgiving break of her first semester at 鶹.

Students Awarded Prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship

Two 鶹 graduate students and an alum from the School of Natural Sciences were recently awarded fellowships from the highly competitive National Science Foundation .

This year, NSF awarded 1,000 GRFP fellowships compared to about 2,000 in previous years.

Carnegie Recognizes 鶹 for Student Access, Grad Earnings

鶹 has earned two 2025 Carnegie , the Student Access and Earnings Classification “Opportunity Colleges and Universities” and the Institutional Classification by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education.

“It speaks to the mission and values we uphold as a student-centered, academically rigorous research institution,” said Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz.

Chemistry Ph.D. Student Wins Campus Grad Slam Top Prize, Advances to UC-wide Final

Adekunle “Kunle” Adewole isn’t a stranger to the spotlight, having grown up singing at family functions and performing in theater productions. He also has fervently watched “The Voice,” a singing reality competition television series, envisioning himself performing on stage.

“’The Voice’ is part of my singing journey. I've always wanted to do it, and maybe at some point I'll get the chance to perform there,” he said. “I’d probably sing ‘Jealous’ by Labrinth, or ‘Get to You Again’ by Mac Ayres.”

Three Engineering Programs Ranked in Top 100 by U.S. News

鶹’s School of Engineering and its programs continue to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as demonstrated in the release today of its .

The R1 school advanced three spots in the latest Best Overall Engineering Schools rankings, inching closer to the nation’s top 100.

“We will continue to strive for even greater heights and to make impactful contributions to the field,” Dean Rakesh Goel said.

Center Engages Campus, Community with Africa and its Diaspora

This story is part of a series for Black History Month. Read highlighting Black excellence at 鶹.

The brutal deaths of African Americans George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and others at the hands of police officers five years ago catalyzed for Black communities to unite globally and reignite the Black Lives Matter movement.

Give to 鶹 Campaign Tops $1.4 Million, Breaking Record for Third Year

Give to 鶹, the university’s annual year-end fundraising campaign, was the most successful of its 11-year history, garnering nearly $1.43 million from 647 donors. The tremendous show of generosity far exceeded the original goal of $250,000 from 500 donors.

Each year, the 鶹 campaign launches on Giving Tuesday, the worldwide day of charitable giving on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving. In 2020, the university’s fundraising effort was extended to encompass the month of December.

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 鶹.

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 鶹 Alum Back to the Capitol

As one of 鶹’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 鶹’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 鶹 Executive Chefs Anthony Pangelina and Mitchell Vanagten.