University of California, Merced - Alyssa Johansen

New Bobcat Looks to Expand Impressive Research Resume

Anonymous — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 18:04:55 +0000

August 29, 2025

Adriana Ponce Mata has a passion for science and helping others.

This is the final entry of a series of profiles of new �鶹�� Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester.

Adriana Ponce Mata spent the last two summers working in one of the largest and oldest companies in the Bay Area. This fall, she joins �鶹�� to begin her next chapter. Through Project SEED, she gained hands-on research experience testing fuels in an oil refinery, sparking her passion for science and helping others.

Where I come from: I’m from Richmond, California and graduated from Leadership Public Schools.

What I've done: In high school I participated in both soccer and cross country. As a member of ASB, I would help organize events on campus. I was the co-founder of a community service club that would partner with the Bay Area Rescue Mission to support their events, serve meals and distribute clothes to those in need. In the summer of my junior and senior years I was an intern for Project SEED (Summer Experiences for the Economically Disadvantaged), a nationwide program hosted by the American Chemical Society that pairs students with scientists in laboratories. I was placed at the Chevron refinery in Richmond, where we tested products for chemists. I worked with oil, diesel, gas and jet fuel to test viscosity levels before using them in industrial machinery. It was a full-time job; for nine weeks I was at the lab Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. It was a great opportunity to develop my research skills, and I learned that education is a pathway to make real changes. At the conclusion of the internship, I presented my work to friends, family, mentors and fellow Chevron employees and was awarded the Mark Frishberg Award that honors the late president of the American Chemical Society.

Why are you excited about coming to �鶹��? I’m ready to continue developing my research skills. During Bobcat Day I met some of my professors and everyone seemed so personable. I’m really excited to learn from them. �鶹�� was recommended to me by my college counselors and friends, and the peaceful environment seems like a great place to develop into an independent adult.

Academic and personal goals: I plan to major in public health because I want to help people, but I also want to use my courses to explore different career paths. I’m considering focusing more on biology or community outreach and hope to get involved as much as possible on campus. I also want to take advantage of any research opportunities that come my way. Since �鶹�� offers a study abroad program, I would love the chance to study in another country and broaden my perspective.

You can keep only three apps on your phone. What are they? I would keep Tik Tok, of course. I would also keep the clock app because I rely on all my alarms to wake up. And probably the messages app.

Favorite Food: Pozole!

It's karaoke night. What’s your go-to song? Something by Adele, for sure. Probably “Someone Like You.” It’s such an emotional song.

Quotable: “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made” - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Cal-Bridge Scholar Rolando Ortega Wants to Build the Future

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:50:38 +0000

August 22, 2025

Grad student Rolando Ortega begins his doctoral journey at �鶹�� this fall.

This is part of a series of profiles of new �鶹�� Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2025 semester.

Rolando Ortega is closing in on his dream of earning a Ph.D. This fall, the Cal-Bridge scholar from Los Angeles County joins �鶹�� to start his doctoral journey. With experience spanning national labs, NASA outreach and cutting-edge research, Ortega is ready to design devices that push the boundaries of science and technology.

Where I come from: I was born and raised in Baldwin Park and graduated from Baldwin Park High School in 2018.

What I've done: After earning my associate’s degree from Citrus Community College in 2021, I transferred to California State University, San Bernardino, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in physics in fall 2024. I graduated cum laude and made the dean’s list in five of my six semesters. I helped reestablish the Society of Physics Students, which informs undergraduates about research and scholarship opportunities. I volunteered to be a NASA-partnered ambassador during the April 2024 solar eclipse, educating the community at a viewing event. For two years, I’ve worked at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, developing a code to assist in the calculation of lead contamination from radon exposure during the Super Cryogenic Dark Matter Search experiment.

I’m participating in the Cal-Bridge program, a pathway designed to help CSU undergraduate students gain admission into a University of California Ph.D. program. Professors David Strubbe and Jay Sharping are Cal-Bridge mentors at �鶹��.

Why are you excited about coming to �鶹��? The opportunity to work in a system at the forefront of fundamental physics and real-world applications. I’m excited to work alongside professors such as Sayantani Ghosh, whose lab focuses on characterizing novel semiconductors for next-generation optoelectronic devices that find, detect and control light. I’m interested in the study of perovskite materials, a low-cost alternative to traditional semiconductors like silicon. This research will allow me to study multiple fields of science such as physics, chemistry and engineering. I am drawn to building devices that can change the world for the better, such as developing a gamma ray detector for space exploration.

Academic and personal goals: I hope to one day be a physics professor. I’ve always liked helping others and my time in the Cal-Bridge program has shown me how impactful a great mentor can be. I would like to open my own research laboratory and help first-generation students obtain research opportunities.

What do you do to relax? I usually play video games such as Smite 2 and Hi-Fi Rush. I also enjoy playing Dungeons and Dragons once a week to keep in touch with my SoCal friends. Going to the gym with my friends is also relaxing for me.

My secret talent is: I am proficient in playing the euphonium after playing in classical ensembles and marching bands for eight years. I can also whistle any tune I hear.

It’s karaoke night, what is your go-to song? “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson because it also brings up the vibes at a party.

Quotable: "Changing is our normal state. Even if we're not changing on the outside, we're changing on the inside constantly. … As long as I know the shape of my soul, I'll be alright." -- Jake the Dog from “Adventure Time”

�鶹�� Marks 20th Year with New Academic Programs, First DII Season and Celebration

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 23:49:20 +0000

Alyssa Johansen, �鶹��

August 21, 2025

This year's incoming class is made up of more Central Valley natives than ever before.

The new academic year is a momentous milestone for �鶹�� — two decades of growth, innovation and achievement. In 2005, the first undergraduate students were welcomed on the new campus. Now, 20 years later, thousands more new students will begin their own journeys that will shape their futures and the future of �鶹��.

“To all of our new and returning students: You are critical drivers of our university and among the primary reasons we continue to push boundaries and strive for excellence in all that we do,” said Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “In merely two decades, �鶹�� has unequivocally transformed lives, advanced research and built a vibrant community in the heart of the Central Valley. This anniversary is a well-earned reminder of how far we’ve come and an inspiration for what lies ahead.”

Staff and student volunteers are preparing to welcome new Bobcats to their on-campus housing during move-in weekend, Aug. 21-24. To ensure a smooth transition for all students, they must make a move-in appointment and check in at the �鶹�� Conference Center upon arrival.

Before delving into classes and coursework, about 2,000 first-year and transfer students are invited to take part in one of �鶹��’s oldest traditions — Scholars Bridge Crossing. On Aug. 26, new Bobcats will gather near the Pavilion dining hall to receive a warm welcome from university leadership. Then, surrounded by the cheers of staff and faculty and led by Muñoz and campus leaders, students will walk across Scholars Bridge and through the Beginnings sculpture. Since the first Scholars Bridge Crossing in 2005, this symbolic walk has marked the beginning of students’ academic journeys at �鶹��.

To further foster a sense of community and academic belonging, students will be greeted by their respective schools. New this year: Immediately following the celebration, the schools of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts will host welcome receptions for their students. Those who have not yet declared majors are invited to attend a reception hosted by Undergraduate Education.

With the celebrations concluded, the academic journey begins. Classes will be back in session Aug. 27. Starting this semester, students will have additional academic offerings to choose from. New majors include communication and media; neuroscience; science, technology and ethics; aerospace engineering; biochemical and biomolecular engineering; biochemistry; biological sciences; management of innovation, sustainability and technology; and ecology, evolution and conservation biology.

In tandem with academic expansion, �鶹�� is enhancing campus safety. The campus community will have access to the new Bobcat Safety App — the university's official safety tool launched by the �鶹�� Police Department. The app offers students, faculty and staff essential campus safety resources and communication tools. It is free and available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Each user must register with a �鶹�� email address.

Beyond academics, �鶹�� is also making strides in athletics. This fall, �鶹�� will compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II. The Bobcats will join the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), one of the nation’s most prestigious Division II conferences. Nearby CCAA institutions will provide new regional rivalries and opportunities for community engagement. With Bobcat athletics leveling up, the university is launching the Bobcat Club — an initiative to support scholar-athletes and fuel the growth of intercollegiate sports at �鶹��.

The university’s first home Division II athletics competition also serves as the perfect occasion to celebrate �鶹��’s 20th anniversary. On Sept. 5, the campus community and public are invited to watch the women’s soccer team take on Simon Fraser University at Bobcat Field at 7 p.m. The evening will kick off with a pregame tailgate with food trucks, performances and student-athlete meet-and-greets. After the game, the night sky will light up with the Fiat Lux drone show.

Summer Programs Give Students a Jump Start on Academic Year

Anonymous — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 19:45:00 +0000

By Brenda Ortiz, �鶹��

August 19, 2025

Seventy-seven middle school students from Madera Unified School District participated in a five-week Math Academy hosted at �鶹��.

For more than 1,300 Central Valley students, this summer break wasn’t all about fun — it included strengthening their math and science skills to prepare them for the new school year and beyond.

�鶹��’s Center for Educational Partnerships offered a wealth of summer programming led by its three offices: K-20 Regional Alliances, State College Preparatory Programs and K-14 Federal Programs.

“We at CEP recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to student success, and that is why, in partnership with school districts, we customize our summer academies to meet the academic needs of each student, positioning them for postsecondary success,” said Orquidea Largo, associate vice chancellor and chief outreach officer.

The Office of K-20 Regional Alliances hosted three Summer Math Academies on campus and throughout the Valley.

Through strong intersegmental partnerships, dedicated educators and support from regional K-16 collaborators, more than 480 students were served, each gaining critical math skills, academic confidence and exposure to higher education environments.

“These efforts not only addressed immediate learning goals but also contributed to a broader vision of sustained student success, educator development and community engagement throughout the region,” said McKenna Salazar, executive director of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances and WE Will! K-16 Educational Collaborative.

This summer, seventh- and eighth-grade students from Madera Unified School District participated in a five-week Math Academy hosted at �鶹��. The academy offered students early exposure to Math 7 and Math 8 content designed to strengthen foundational skills and build confidence to better prepare students for the school year and success on state assessments.

In addition to student support, the initiative also served as a professional learning opportunity for educators. Math teachers from Madera Unified School District were selected to lead instruction, and high school students from the district were hired as learning assistants, gaining valuable experience through paid internships.

“This impactful effort was made possible through funding from the Central San Joaquin Valley K-16 Partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to academic preparation, career exploration and educational equity in the region,” Salazar said.

Students from the Parlier and Corcoran Unified School districts took part in the Summer Math Academy held at Fresno Pacific University. The program was designed to strengthen skills, build confidence and accelerate academic progress for grades 4 through 10. Funding for the academy was provided through the Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative, supporting regional goals to strengthen college and career readiness across the Central Valley.

Students from the McFarland Unified School District participated in the Summer Math Academy hosted at California State University, Bakersfield. The academy provided targeted instruction to students in grades 4 through 8, focusing on key math concepts and building academic confidence. The partnership between McFarland Unified and CEP — now in its second year — was made possible through funding from the Kern K-16 Collaborative, advancing efforts to support college and career readiness across the region.

Results from student surveys at the end of each of the K-20 Regional Alliances academy indicated:

98% of students said the math academy increased their confidence in math;
99% of students said the math academy increased their knowledge in math; and
99% of students said if given the opportunity they would attend another math academy.

CEP’s mission, according to its website, is “to provide student, school and parent-centered services that ultimately result in students having the greatest number of postsecondary choices from the widest array of options upon graduation."

The Office of State College Preparatory Programs led five distinct summer programs reaching nearly 300 students.

In June, the 1300 Campaign Summer Youth Leadership Academy, an intersegmental residential academy between �鶹��, California State University, Stanislaus, and the Improve Your Tomorrow college access program, served students as far north as Stockton and far south as Visalia. The program aims to increase the number of young men of color attending University of California and California State universities.
The Explore STEM! Conference, a multi-day collaboration between CEP and the NSF-CREST Center for Cellular and Biomolecular Machines, provided seventh- through 10th-grade students with hands-on STEM activities led by �鶹�� faculty and graduate students. Students met with faculty members, took lab tours and attended workshops.

Eighth-grade students from Fresno Unified School District participated in the African American Student Leadership Academy, a residential program focused on creating awareness of the University of California. Students were provided English and mathematics enrichment, A-G college access workshops and a nature experience in Yosemite National Park.
In collaboration with the Calvin E. Bright Success Center, CEP hosted high school students at the Gateway Academy. The academy provided students with workshops on college readiness, A-G requirements, social and emotional health, career readiness, financial aid, group projects and presentation skills. The academy was facilitated by Gateway Ambassadors, graduate student assistants and professional staff.
In collaboration with the School of Engineering, CEP hosted Campos Engage in Engineering, a residential engineering academy for rising seniors in high school. Students conducted a full research project on robotics and competed against each other. Students had the opportunity to present their projects to the Campos Foundation, which included eight engineers who visited campus to speak to the students. The program was facilitated by undergraduate students and staff.

CEP’s K-14 Federal Programs’ federally funded academic outreach programs offered approximately 350 students from underserved communities throughout the Central Valley summer opportunities to promote college readiness and academic success.

Ninth- through 12th-grade students from the Upward Bound – Gustine and Upward Bound Math and Science – Orosi programs participated in the Summer Residential Program at �鶹�� to strengthen their math skills. They explored STEM topics through collaborations with the campus’ Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers chapter and Valley Institute for Sustainability, Technology and Agriculture. Students lived on campus, allowing them to gain firsthand exposure to college life, university expectations and the academic environment.
In partnership with Fresno City College and the Fresno Unified School District, Upward Bound students from Hoover and Sunnyside high schools participated in dual enrollment courses to earn college credit and provide a smoother transition to college-level coursework.
Students from Fresno, Roosevelt, McLane and Edison high schools in the Talent Search program were offered the opportunity to earn original geometry credit and advance to higher-level math courses by their senior year. Courses were held at Fresno City College and provided students with a college campus experience and reinforced a college-going mindset.
Incoming freshmen from the Farmersville and Corcoran high school Talent Search program took part in a Math Academy aimed at building foundational skills to introduce them to the rigor of high school academics.
Talent Search students from high schools in the Merced Union High School District and Livingston, Delhi and Le Grand participated in a four-week Summer Math Academy hosted at �鶹��. This immersive program boosted academic readiness while inspiring students to pursue postsecondary education.

“These summer initiatives reflect the CEP’s unwavering commitment to educational equity by offering meaningful enrichment experiences and early exposure to college life,” said Amelia Herrera Bomhoff, director of K-14 Federal Programs. “Together, these programs serve as a powerful catalyst for academic advancement and post-secondary success in Central Valley communities.”

�鶹�� Launches Bobcat Club to Support Scholar-Athletes in NCAA Division II Competition

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Aug 2025 18:21:27 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, �鶹��

August 8, 2025

The Bobcat Club will directly support the student-athlete experience, with giving levels and benefits available for contributions across all tiers.

To mark �鶹��’s entry into National Collegiate Athletics Association NCAA Division II competition, the university is launching the Bobcat Club – an initiative designed to support scholar-athletes and the campus’s elevated level of intercollegiate sports.

The Bobcat Club will represent a network of alumni, families and fans committed to the holistic development of scholar-athletes at �鶹��. In addition to providing much-needed resources to promising Bobcats pursuing their athletic and academic goals, club members will be part of a platform for community connection and impact.

Every donation designated to the Bobcat Club will directly support the scholar-athlete experience, with giving levels and benefits available for contributions across all tiers. To help fuel �鶹�� Athletics’ long-term success, Bobcat Club members can allocate their gifts to the Bobcat Excellence Fund or directly contribute to one of the university’s 12 athletic programs.

�鶹�� is also introducing the Director’s Society, an elite giving program for leadership donors. This initiative will provide access to exclusive team experiences and athletic events, with the goal of encouraging higher levels of engagement for the Bobcats’ top supporters.

Beyond the Bobcat Club, university donors passionate about elevating �鶹�� Athletics can support capital projects that fund new or upgraded training and performance facilities. These strategic investments help ensure �鶹�� meets the standards of top-tier collegiate competition and create spaces that energize campus life while fostering stronger ties with the surrounding community.

Bobcat scholar-athlete alumni also have the option to participate in the Locker Legacy program and leave a lasting impact by naming a locker in the men’s or women’s soccer, basketball or volleyball locker rooms.

“Our mission is to enhance and support the student-athlete experience,” Executive Director of Recreation and Athletics David Dunham said. “We are proud that the greater �鶹�� community shares our commitment to developing well-rounded students prepared to succeed both on the field and in the classroom.”

In Division II, the university is joining nearly 300 colleges and universities nationwide that maintain a balance of academic achievement and athletic competition. These institutions are known for advancing competitive athletics while prioritizing student success.

Exemplifying �鶹��’s commitment to student excellence in all areas is the university’s status as one of the highest-ranked schools in the nation among NCAA Division II institutions, according to U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges rankings. �鶹��’s academic distinction, paired with its philanthropic focus on awarding athletic scholarships, will be leveraged to attract and retain elite student-athletes from across the region and beyond.

Starting this season, �鶹�� will compete in the prestigious California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), widely regarded as the nation’s premier NCAA Division II conference. With five member institutions located within 150 miles of campus, the conference offers intense regional rivalries and several opportunities for local fan engagement.

“Athletics has long been an area of interest for our supporters, and now with the Bobcat Club and our move to the NCAA, donors can directly support our scholar-athletes and championship-winning athletic programs,” Vice Chancellor and Chief External Relations Officer E. Edward Klotzbier said. “There’s never been a better time to support Bobcat Athletics!”

Visit www.ucmercedbobcatclub.com to learn more about Bobcat Club and other ways to support �鶹�� Athletics.

Study: Mexican American Millennials Link Success to Providing for Parents

Anonymous — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 19:13:54 +0000

By Sandra Baltazar Martínez

August 4, 2025

Sociology Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes (above) tracked the lives of 61 California millenials for the study.

For many first-generation Mexican American college graduates, the definition of success includes paying their parents’ bills or even buying them a home.

Lifting the social or financial status of their elders is a goal that often defines upward mobility for Latinx millennials, especially the children of immigrants, according to a study by �鶹�� sociology Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes.

Reyes, a researcher in the Latina Futures 2050 Lab at UCLA, spent 14 years developing the study, which tracked the life paths of 61 millennials (a demographic defined as people born between 1981 and 1995) who identify as Latinx, attended college in California and reside primarily in the state.

“As researchers, we do not have much documented data and analysis to help us see and understand the lives of this population,” Reyes said. Reyes’s interviews supported earlier studies that millennials are more likely to have paid for college themselves. She added that 85% of respondents were the first in their family to attend and graduate from college and 96% were of Mexican origin.

The study, published in the journal Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, will provide data and narratives for a follow-up book to “Learning to Be Latino,” Reyes’ 2018 investigation into how undergraduate institutions shape the culture of Latino student life on campus.

Reyes said the study showed young Latinos define the path of personal achievement differently from what sociologists call the five-stage Standard North American Adulthood: leave home, finish college, enter the workforce, get married and have children.

The one idea that none of the respondents questioned was the cultural imperative of the immigrant bargain, the idea of taking care of your parents.

Professor Daisy Verduzco Reyes

Responsibility to family is important to immigrant, second- and third-generation Latinx people, the study said, and giving back can be an expression of gratitude, Reyes said. The cultural and socio-structural conditions in which Latino millennials live contribute to their need to fulfill financial, emotional, legal and cultural labor roles in their families of origin. The study calls this the “Latinx mobility bargain” or the “immigrant bargain.”

The study processed responses from 40 women and 21 men. Questions included “Do you think you have achieved mobility relative to your parents?” and “Do you provide financially for anyone?”

Respondents ranged from those with six-figure earnings that allowed them to buy a home for their parents to those who see themselves in a stagnant situation primarily due to low-paying jobs.

“The one idea that none of the respondents questioned was the cultural imperative of the immigrant bargain, the idea of taking care of your parents. Some might expect this ‘burden’ to feed resentment, but none of my respondents expressed any such feelings,” Reyes said.

“For many Latinx millennials, providing for parents has constrained their mobility trajectories. Yet this constraint is perceived as an accomplishment.”

The Great Recession had a significant financial impact. Between 2007 and 2016, middle-income Latinx families faced a 55% loss in wealth, compared to a 31% loss for white middle-income families.

“Millennials are worse off economically than previous generations in terms of income, wealth, homeownership and debt,” Reyes said.

Sandra Baltazar Martínez is the senior communications manager at Latina Futures 2050 Lab.

�鶹�� Recognized Nationally for Excellence, Affordability and Student Success

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:04:42 +0000

July 30, 2025

�鶹�� scored high marks for quality of education, affordability and student outcomes.

�鶹�� remains one of the top universities in the nation according to Money’s 2025 “Best Colleges in America” report.

The university earned 4.5 stars out of 5 in Money’s latest poll, which scores over 700 schools. The ratings are based on several factors, including graduation rates, cost of attendance, instructor access and economic mobility.

�鶹�� has not dipped below 4.5 stars since Money revamped its format a few years ago, switching from a ranking to a ratings system. The change aimed to eliminate the “one size fits all” approach that, according to Money, allowed the magazine to pivot toward helping students and families find the best college or university for their needs.

Money’s methodology uses 25 indicators organized into three categories: quality of education, affordability and student outcomes. Data from think tank Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index is also considered. The EMI assesses institutions on how well they serve low-income students and provide a return on their investment. �鶹�� was ranked 11th out of over 1,300 schools nationwide in that report.

"�鶹��’s consistent placement among the top tiers of this report reflects the unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, and students to advancing opportunity and academic excellence,” said �鶹�� Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “This recognition affirms the power of our mission and inspires us to continue delivering a world-class education that transforms lives and propels us boldly into the future.”

New Alumni-Funded Endowment to Champion LGBTQ+ Initiatives at �鶹��

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 22:01:07 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, �鶹��

July 29, 2025

�鶹�� alumni Keith Ellis '12 (left), Derek Sollberger ’11 (center) and Jonathan Ly ’13 have jointly established the LGBTQ+ Lambda Student Engagement Endowment.

A group of dedicated �鶹�� alumni have come together to launch an endowed fund focused on supporting LGBTQ+ student initiatives, programs and priorities.

Spearheaded by University of California Regent Emeritus Keith Ellis ’12, the LGBTQ+ Lambda Student Engagement Endowment was created to foster a more inclusive and affirming environment for students from diverse sexual and gender identities, now and for generations to come.

Ellis, along with alumni leaders Derek Sollberger ’11 and Jonathan Ly ’13, and other university graduates, have pooled their philanthropic contributions to establish the first-of-its-kind funding resource at �鶹�� for LGBTQ+ students on campus. Aimed at enhancing the university experience for these minority populations, the fund honors and expands the work of �鶹��’s Lambda Alliance, a student organization that has been committed to advocacy, promotion, and community building since its inception in 2008.

As the catalyst for the endowment, Ellis first approached fellow �鶹�� Alumni Association (UCMAA) members about the endowment to gauge if there was interest in developing the fund.

“I was having conversations with people, both in groups and individually,” he said. “With Derek and Jonathan being on the UCMAA board, it was a natural starting point. I reached out to a number of board members, and some people said, ‘I can’t pledge that kind of money, but I’ll give what I can when you get it out there.’ I respected that. Even $20 or $100. It’s still meaningful and adds up.”

For Sollberger, who spent a dozen years on the �鶹�� faculty, the decision to join the effort was deeply aligned with his academic and advocacy work.

“As a lecturer, I got to see firsthand the effects of a growing campus and shifting budgets,” said Sollberger, who now teaches data science at Princeton University. “When Keith talked about this project, I was really drawn to the notion of having stability for this sector of campus and for the LGBTQ community.”

Ly’s motivation was rooted in his time as a student leader and the experiences that opened his eyes to the diversity and complexity of the student body.

“My time as a leader in student government gave me such a unique opportunity to connect with students from different backgrounds and who had different life experiences,” he said. “People from the Valley, from the Bay Area, from back home in Los Angeles. It gave me the space to think about my part in this greater effort and being a piece of the growing history.”

For this group of committed supporters, establishing a permanent endowment was about creating a lasting impact for LGBTQ+ student initiatives, which often rely on limited or inconsistent funding. They see it as both a commitment to equity and a way to ensure that future generations of students have sustained access to affirming spaces and opportunities.

“I wanted to do something different,” Ellis explained. “Scholarships are great, but I wanted to have a more direct impact on the student experience. There were things we wanted back when I was a student that we didn’t end up getting until later, like Lavender Graduation. I asked, ‘How do we sustain those things long term?’ Because we know funding can be volatile, especially now.”

Ly emphasized the importance of providing resources aimed at preventing the struggles faced by many LGBTQ+ students.

“Something that’s always stuck with me and Derek, especially as campus leaders, is the need for opportunity and support,” he said. “When the idea of the endowment came up, it reminded me that we could hopefully provide that opportunity and help put our LGBTQ students in a position where they have the resources needed to avoid situations where they feel isolated or unseen.”

“Part of what we're trying to do with the endowment is help maintain a tradition for certain campus groups,” Sollberger added. “So that when prospective students look at �鶹��, they see established groups and organizations that will be here when they are.”

Housed in �鶹��'s Division of Student Affairs, the LGBTQ+ Lambda Student Engagement Endowment will be earmarked for programs that advance LGBTQ+ student identity development, such as PRIDE Month, Lavender Graduation, ally and identity workshops, leadership development initiatives, and mental-health resources.

And while the endowment carries the vision and dedication of the alumni who helped create it, they are quick to underscore that it’s not about them, but the students who can benefit from the resource. The donors’ ultimate hope is that LGBTQ+ students at �鶹�� feel connected and safe in the knowledge that their contributions are valued, much like the alumni’s own undergraduate experiences.

“This is who I am. I didn’t have to come out again at �鶹�� as part of my new chapter,” Ellis said. “I hope the same holds true for students today, no matter how much the campus has grown. Diversity brings power with different ideas, perspectives, and beliefs coming together.”

“I was these students in every sense of that statement,” he added. “And now, I just hope they know we see them, and we’re investing in them.”

Support the �鶹�� LGBTQ+ Lambda Student Engagement Endowment.

�鶹�� Breakthrough Could Transform How California Monitors Toxic Algae

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:00:15 +0000

July 10, 2025

Algal blooms can cause serious health risks.

San Luis Reservoir in Merced County - one of California's largest artificial lakes - not only irrigates Central Valley farmland and supplies drinking water across Silicon Valley and the South Bay, but also draws swimmers, boaters and anglers year-round.

Yet for months at a time, forest-green blankets of algae spread across the lake's surface. Despite their calm appearance, these harmful algal blooms, or HABs, can disrupt water supplies, ecosystems and recreation activities - and pose serious health risks.

Over the past decade, the California Department of Water Resources has issued frequent health advisories for the reservoir. These warnings, which escalate from caution to danger, tell visitors when to avoid the water due to toxins that can cause rashes, eye irritation and flu-like symptoms.

While earning her graduate degree in environmental systems at �鶹��, Brittany Barreto Martinez, now a postdoctoral research fellow at the Disturbance Hydrology Lab at San Diego State University, saw an opportunity to improve HAB monitoring, which has typically relied on shoreline water samples.

"One day I went out to sample on Labor Day weekend, and naturally people took their boats to fish and swim," said Barreto Martinez. "At the time, the lake was very green - at a warning level, at least. It's valuable to determine the algal bloom patterns further into the lake rather than just at the lake's edges, especially if boating and fishing is allowed."

To get a better idea of how algae starts to accumulate away from shore, Barreto Martinez looked up - way up. Together with her doctoral advisor, Erin Hestir, a professor of civil and environmental engineering and director of CITRIS at �鶹��, she decided to explore the use of satellite remote sensing to detect HABs within San Luis Reservoir, across the lake's full surface.

Barreto Martinez partnered with environmental engineering Professor Marc Beutel to pursue the research. To see what they learned and how this research has a real impact on public safety, read the full story on the CITRIS website .

�鶹�� Police Debut Bobcat Safety App to Enhance Campus Security

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 18:00:11 +0000

July 2, 2025

The Bobcat Safety App is available in the Apple App and Google Play stores.

�鶹�� students, faculty and staff have access to a new safety tool: the Bobcat Safety App — the university's official safety app — launched by the �鶹�� Police Department ahead of the new academic year.

The app integrates with �鶹��'s safety and security systems. After downloading it to their mobile devices, students, staff and faculty will have access to essential campus safety resources and communication tools.

"�鶹�� is bringing together a wide range of campus safety resources — from police services and Campus Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARE) services to emergency management — all in one easy-to-use mobile application," said �鶹�� Police Chief Chou Her. "It's about making support more accessible and connecting our community with the tools they need to stay informed and safe."

The app incorporates feedback from students about safety needs on campus.

"Students told us they wanted faster, easier access to help when something doesn't feel right," said Gina Gutierrez, �鶹�� police emergency communications and records supervisor. "This app directly addresses those concerns."

Key features of the Bobcat Safety App include:

Emergency contacts for immediate assistance with both on- and off-campus incidents
Mobile Blue Light, which shares the user's real-time location with �鶹�� police during emergencies
Friend Walk, enabling a trusted contact to monitor the user's location in real-time until they reach their destination safely
Direct tip reporting to �鶹�� police for quick and confidential communication
Campus partner contacts for streamlined access to essential campus support services
Campus maps featuring important safety information, including AED (automated external defibrillator) locations
Police services dedicated to promoting a secure and supportive campus environment
Emergency plans and guidelines to help the campus community stay informed and prepared

The app's rollout was made possible by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, which provided resources and guidance that enabled �鶹�� to purchase the software.

"In high-stress situations, every second counts, and having a reliable, well-established communication system allows officers to respond quickly and make informed decisions," Gutierrez said. "It also helps ensure that accurate information reaches the campus community, which is critical for safety and trust."

The app is free to all �鶹�� students, faculty and staff, and is available in the Apple App and Google Play stores. Each user needs a �鶹�� email address to register.

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