University of California, Merced - Alyssa Johansen

From Classrooms to Communities, ��Vlog Symposium Tackles Public Health Challenges

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:03:46 +0000

By Jessica Gardezy, ��Vlog

April 17, 2026

The symposium faculty panel was moderated by ASUCM President and health scholar Manar Ahmed (left) and featured (left to right) Professors Matthew Zawadzki, Elaine Denny, Lindsay Crawford, and Emily Johnston.

Community voices, student research and cross-sector partnerships took center stage at the ��Vlog’s Public Health Symposium, where speakers emphasized equity, access and connection as urgent priorities in the Central Valley and beyond.

The symposium was co-organized by the Departments of Public Health and Medical Education in collaboration with Public Health Society, the SJV PRIME+ program, and Health Promotion. Held April 10 as part of National Public Health Week, the symposium highlighted the role of collaboration in addressing complex health challenges. Public Health Department Chair Professor Nancy Burke praised student organizers for creating space for dialogue and innovation.

“The ��Vlog Public Health Society has done an amazing job planning activities associated with National Public Health Week,” Burke said. “Celebrating NPHW on our campus brings students, community members and faculty together to share ideas and research, and to strategize to solve public health challenges.”

The event opened with a keynote from Claudia Corchado, deputy executive director of Cultiva Central Valley, a Merced-based organization dedicated to creating health equity. Corchado highlighted persistent health disparities in underserved communities and the importance of trust-based, community-led solutions. Corchado pointed to stark differences in life expectancy by ZIP code and unequal access to safe environments, parks and basic services, underscoring how structural inequities shape health outcomes.

“Equality is that everybody has a pair of shoes; equity is that everybody has a pair of shoes that fit,” Corchado said, urging attendees to prioritize culturally and linguistically appropriate services and sustained engagement with residents. She emphasized that effective public health work requires meeting people where they are and building long-term relationships rooted in trust. Student researchers from the San Joaquin Valley PRIME+ program and undergraduate public health majors presented posters throughout the symposium, showcasing community-based projects that address issues such as food deserts, limited access to culturally competent care, and the health impacts of cannabis and tobacco use on student success. Many projects focused on vulnerable populations in the Central Valley and Southern California, proposing solutions grounded in lived experience and local partnerships.

A faculty panel on student wellness explored the growing challenges facing college students, including loneliness, stress and feeling that they don’t belong. Panelists said these issues have intensified in recent years, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Students report severe levels of loneliness … not just occasionally, but something that’s pervasive,” said health psychology Professor Matthew Zawadzki, noting that isolation can negatively affect academic performance and mental health.

A poster session allowed student researchers to share their work with symposium attendees.

Panelists emphasized that wellness is not solely an individual responsibility but a shared effort requiring institutional support. Writing studies Teaching Professor Emily Johnston described resilience as something students “practice,” not simply possess, and said reflective writing can help students process experiences and build a sense of purpose.

Other panelists highlighted the importance of student involvement, cultural representation on campus and proactive support systems. Public health Teaching Professor Lindsay Crawford said students who engage in campus organizations are more likely to feel a sense of belonging, while political science Professor Elaine Denny noted that stress can hinder learning by overwhelming students’ cognitive capacity.

“Those moments when you feel most inclined to withdraw is actually when to reach out,” Denny said, encouraging students to seek support from peers and faculty.

Speakers also called on universities to expand student-centered spaces, reduce class sizes and design environments that promote connection and well-being.

The symposium concluded with a call to action from Yamilet Valladolid of Golden Valley Health Centers, who emphasized the critical role of community health workers and partnerships in advancing health equity. She warned that ongoing changes to Medi-Cal could leave vulnerable populations without coverage, increasing barriers to care.

“Public health is not passive. It is active. It is intentional,” Valladolid said. “Action means listening to our communities and building solutions with them, not just for them.”

Throughout the day, a common theme emerged: Meaningful progress in public health depends on collaboration, cultural understanding and sustained investment in communities.

As Valladolid summarized, “We are ready. We are set. Now it’s on all of us to act.”

��Vlog Welcomes High Schoolers Studying Jobs that Support Families

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:07:25 +0000

By Seth Allen, ��Vlog

March 30, 2026

A tour of the Early Childhood Education Center was conducted by the facility's director Danielle Waite.

Across the Valley, the need for professionals who support children and families continues to grow, spanning fields such as education, health care and social services. At ��Vlog, new academic programs and hands-on learning opportunities are helping prepare the next generation to meet the demand.

More than 25 students from Merced high schools enrolled in the school district’s Education and Child Development program visited ��Vlog on Feb. 27 with their teacher, Savina Sanchez. The students were enrolled in a course called Careers with Infants and Toddler Care.

The visit included a tour of the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and descriptions of a liberal studies degree starting in fall 2026 and a child development minor degree projected to launch a couple of years later.

Director Danielle Waite led the ECEC tour. The center serves campus families and the Merced community, providing quality care and education for children from infancy through preschool. The center operates under a child-centered, play-based pedagogical framework that emphasizes individualized learning and developmental progress.

The ECEC also is a site for research and community engagement. ��Vlog student organizations and volunteers contribute regularly to its programming. Initiatives have included health education activities led by the student Pre-Dental Club, as well as enrichment events hosted by fraternities, sororities and cultural organizations. The center also supports individual undergraduate volunteers pursuing careers related to early childhood development, and education.

The high school students then heard from Professor Catherine Koehler, who chairs ��Vlog’s undergraduate program for liberal studies and is executive director of the Degree Completion Program. Koehler was joined by ��Vlog student Cristina Carbajal, a psychology major with a minor in natural sciences education. Carbajal is an undergraduate researcher in the Interpersonal Development Lab.

Together, they sketched out the path for a liberal studies degree, which offers courses across the social sciences, humanities and arts, tailoring coursework to students’ interests and career goals.

Koehler said there is a strong support system built into the major, including academic advising, online course options, scholarship opportunities and paid internships. She said California’s statewide rollout of transitional kindergarten, offered to all four-year-olds, has increased the demand for early childhood educators. The coursework satisfies requirements for the state’s multiple subject teaching credential.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this new academic program to students in our region,” Koehler said. “��Vlog is one of only two UC campuses to offer a liberal studies B.A. The degree strengthens pathways for future teachers in the San Joaquin Valley, while creating opportunities for paraprofessionals and returning students seeking economic mobility.”

The child development minor, led by Alexandra Main, professor of developmental psychology, is expected to begin in 2028; related coursework is already offered. The prospective degree already has generated strong interest from students and is supported by current programs such as the ECEC, the Department of Medical Education, and the Division of Professional and Continuing Education.

The minor draws from psychology, public health, sociology, biology and cognitive science and is well-suited for students pursuing careers in education, pediatrics or social work. The pathway includes a practicum option that allows students to gain hands-on experience working with children at the ECEC.

"The broader regional impact of this minor is substantial. Over one-quarter of ��Vlog undergraduates are from the San Joaquin Valley, and many remain in the region after graduation,” Main said. “By equipping students with specialized knowledge in child development, this program will strengthen the pipeline of highly trained professionals serving Merced County and the Central Valley.”

��Vlog’s Center for Health Equity Convenes Partners to Address Patient Trust Gap in San Joaquin Valley

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 19:09:17 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, ��Vlog

March 26, 2026

Dr. Rosa Manzo, director of ��Vlog's Center for Health Equity, welcomed attendees to the conference.

On March 20, ��Vlog's Center for Health Equity brought together researchers, regional health partners and community members to share findings from a study on how community health workers are transforming patient care across the San Joaquin Valley.

"This has been a long-term vision for myself and many other individuals: to work community partners into the research process to address the needs of our region," said Dr. Rosa Manzo, principal investigator and center director. "Trust in Action: Community Health Workers, Providers and Communities Advancing Health Equity in San Joaquin Valley" event speakers shared metrics and qualitative data from the center's study on the role of community health workers, also known as promotoras, in building and sustaining trust between patients and providers.

Professor Deborah Wiebe, director of ��Vlog's Health Sciences Research Institute, underscored why locally grounded research is needed in the Valley and how its absence has hampered efforts to address health disparities.

"It's very frustrating when you look at health survey data or health information and see an asterisk next to San Joaquin County and the San Joaquin Valley region because no data are available," Wiebe said. "Without that, you can't make evidence-based solutions. You can't make good policy decisions, and it really impairs your ability to advocate at a much broader level."

She added that deeper systematic changes need to be homegrown. "In order to have a good understanding and effective interventions that work in the San Joaquin Valley, it has to start in the San Joaquin Valley. And that's what this partnership is all about."

Research Findings

The study drew on interviews and focus groups conducted from March through July 2024 with 33 health professionals and 39 community health workers (CHW) across three health centers serving eight regional counties. A subsequent community health survey, conducted from July through October 2025, collected 403 responses from patients across partner sites, surpassing the original goal of 100 per site.

The three health partner sites — Camarena Health, Golden Valley Health Centers and Kaweah Health — shared their findings, offering a ground-level view of how trust play out across the Valley's diverse patient populations and care settings.

The patient population surveyed was predominantly Hispanic/Latino and Asian, including a significant Hmong-speaking community, with an average age of 43. Nearly a third of respondents had a high school education or less, and approximately 30% reported annual household income below $30,000. Nearly three-quarters of patients reported strong trust in their providers. Focus group data identified power dynamics in the exam room, communication and emotional safety and cultural respect and competence as the key factors shaping that trust.

One particularly notable finding was that nearly 75% of survey participants scored in the "inadequate" or "marginal" categories on health literacy assessments. Presenters said this directly affects trust, as the provider-patient relationship suffers when patients cannot easily understand the information they are given.

Digital access also emerged as a barrier. While about 77% of participants had access to a smartphone, reliable internet connectivity and comfort with health platforms, like MyChart, remained significant challenges, indicating a gap between device ownership and the ability to meaningfully engage with digital-health tools.

A panel discussion featured health experts from Camarena Health, Golden Valley Health Centers and Kaweah Health.

The Role of Community Health Workers

One of the most actionable findings from the study involves the reach and impact of CHWs. Despite CHWs' demonstrated effectiveness as patient advocates and cultural liaisons, only about one in four survey participants reported having worked with one. Among those who had, trust scores were notably higher.

The research identified CHWs as uniquely positioned to build patient-provider trust by validating patients' emotions, clarifying medical information and guiding individuals through complex care pathways. Providers described CHWs as cultural bridges and educators capable of reinforcing clinical messages and helping normalize routine healthcare engagement in communities that have historically been weary or suspicious of the healthcare system.

One CHW shared, "Even though physicians usually have some sort of medical Spanish training, it can be difficult to accurately interpret symptoms and feelings being described. We bridge that gap."

Based on the findings, the Center for Health Equity put forward seven recommendations for health systems, policymakers and funders, including:

· Investing in CHW-led care navigation

· Expanding state-level CHW certification and reimbursement pathways,

· Improving access to interpreters

Building clinical environments that center emotional and cultural safety.

The conference featured a keynote address by ��Vlog Continuing Spanish Lecturer Yolanda Pineda-Vargas, whose work at the university reflects a deep commitment to connecting academic learning with community engagement.

The conference also showcased the contributions of ��Vlog undergraduate research assistants, who presented posters on their work supporting the study, highlighting the project's commitment to training the next generation of community-engaged researchers.

Funding provided by Genentech, a member of the Roche group, supported the Center for Health Equity’s research and the conference.

Student Finds Community and Purpose Through Culture and Literature

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 18:04:53 +0000

Alyssa Flores Johansen, ��Vlog

March 12, 2026

��Vlog student Padme James is reclaiming her heritage by studying her Native language — a personal journey that connects her family history, culture and academic goals.

Between classes at ��Vlog, you will often find Padme James under the trees outside the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library. What she studies there isn’t directly correlated to her classwork, but it connects her roots to where she hopes her future is headed.

Instead of reviewing notes for a lecture, the first-year student opens her laptop for a different kind of lesson — one she pursues on her own time.

She’s studying her Native language.

James, whose family is from the Cote First Nation, has been taking the language classes for almost three years. Now she can speak conversationally — a milestone that represents far more than vocabulary and grammar. For her, learning the language is part of reclaiming something her family once lost.

“It is important for me to connect with my Indigenous heritage because my family was part of something called the Sixties Scoop in Canada, where Native children were taken from their parents and placed with white families,” she said.

Historians estimate that more than 20,000 children were displaced from the 1950s through the mid-1980s. The program was justified by Eurocentric biases that framed Indigenous child-rearing as neglectful. Government policies claimed to "save" children by erasing their cultural identity, culture and religion.

The Sixties Scoop had a lasting effect on James’ family.

“As a result, we were separated from our band, and this is an attempt I’m making to reconnect with my people, my history and my ancestors, as they are listening,” she said.

Her family’s band is Cote First Nation in Treaty 4. The language she is learning is commonly known as Saulteaux — a French name used to describe her people’s language.

The journey to reconnect with language has also helped shape her future. James is majoring in literature in English with an environmental emphasis — a combination that allows her to explore how storytelling and ecology intersect.

“With my environmental emphasis, it’s a lot more about ecology and environmentalism and how that plays out in modern literature. I have always found that interesting as a Native person,” she said. “I am really interested in that relationship.”

Her passion for storytelling runs deep. James grew up surrounded by stories in different forms.

“The environment is something I value and I love storytelling. My mom is a librarian and my dad is a filmmaker. I grew up with that,” she said.

Those influences have helped guide her studies, though she is still exploring where the path will lead. “Right now, my degree is really about my passions. I eventually want to use it to help people and inspire. It’s something I am still thinking about.”

Coming from her hometown of Mountain House, ��Vlog’s proximity made it an appealing choice, but James said the university also stood out for the academic and personal opportunities it offered.

“I really set a bar for myself that I wanted to attend a UC,” she said. “I was drawn to the quality education, opportunities and reputation in the academic world.”

Her early impressions of the campus helped confirm she had made the right decision. During Bobcat Day — ��Vlog’s open house for admitted students — she met faculty members, explored campus resources such as the Writing Center, and began to imagine what her future could look like.

Since arriving at UC Mered, she has found community inside and outside the classroom, including through the Native Indigenous Student Coalition, a student-run organization known as NISC.

The group, which includes members from different tribes, organizes events and encourages Native and non-Native students to participate and learn, creating a space where James said she feels understood and supported.

“One thing I have always personally struggled with is socializing and finding friends,” she said. “In NISC, I find a lot of community.”

Former Gov. Gray Davis Awarded Chancellor’s Medal for Transformative Leadership in Bringing ��Vlog to the Central Valley

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:06:19 +0000

By Sam Yniguez, ��Vlog

February 24, 2026

Former Governor Gray Davis was presented with the Chancellor's Medal.

At an intimate gathering of supporters, ��Vlog awarded former Gov. Gray Davis the Chancellor’s Medal — the university’s highest honor — in recognition of his instrumental role in bringing the 10th University of California campus to Merced.

The medal was presented recently during a special evening marking ��Vlog’s 20th anniversary year, celebrating two decades since the campus opened its doors to undergraduate students.

“Gov. Davis understood something fundamental: The strength of this state has always rested on its willingness to invest in public education, and to do so boldly,” Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said. “He understood that the Central Valley deserved not just access, but excellence.”

Davis played a pivotal role in advancing the vision for a research university in the Central Valley at a critical moment in the campus’s development. His leadership helped ensure the campus would be established not simply as an access point, but as a fully realized research university worthy of the UC name.

“One of my proudest accomplishments as governor was opening ��Vlog's doors. ��Vlog gives thousands of students the opportunity to not only to improve their own lives but also to improve those lives in their community,” Davis said. “I want to thank Chancellor Muñoz for this incredible honor and for his strong leadership. As the son of a farmworker and a former United States Marine, Chancellor Muñoz is uniquely qualified to provide the empathy, discipline and motivation to take ��Vlog to even greater heights.”

The Chancellor's Medal is the university’s highest honor.

The Chancellor’s Medal recognizes individuals whose leadership has had an enduring and transformative impact on ��Vlog. During his remarks, Muñoz emphasized that Davis’ contributions were not symbolic but foundational.

“This medal represents our gratitude,” Muñoz said. “But more importantly, it represents the generations of students whose lives are changed because Gov. Davis believed that excellence belongs everywhere in California.”

Former First Lady Sharon Davis was also recognized at the event for her longstanding support and commitment to public service. University leaders presented her with a commemorative gift in appreciation of her engagement and partnership over the years.

The gathering was hosted by Aileen Adams, who played a key role in the campus’s early development. Appointed by Davis in 1999 to lead a state task force coordinating construction and environmental efforts for the new campus, Adams co-chaired the so-called Red Team alongside ��Vlog founding Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, helping bring together more than 20 state agencies to streamline the process.

"Gov. Davis' highly coordinated building process enabled the campus to open a year early,” Adams said. “Our commitment to energy efficiency ensured a campus that was and remains the most sustainable in the world."

The evening served as both a celebration and a reflection, honoring the leadership that made ��Vlog possible while recognizing the extraordinary progress the campus has made in just two decades.

Chancellor Muñoz and Governor Davis joined by ASUCM President Manar Ahmed and Alum Jessie Anderson

Together We Will Conference to Empower Female High School Athletes at ��Vlog

Anonymous — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 22:06:53 +0000

Alyssa Johansen, ��Vlog

February 18, 2026

Together We Will takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the ��Vlog campus. The conference is free to attend, though registration is required.

Female high school student-athletes are invited to the ��Vlog campus on March 8 for Together We Will, a first-of-its-kind conference designed to inspire connection, confidence and leadership.

The one-day event will bring together speakers, mentors and health experts to provide a platform for young women to build skills for success in both competition and life.

The conference is focused on creating a safe and supportive space for teen girls to talk openly about leadership, confidence, body image and mental health — topics organizers say are critical to the long-term well-being of student-athletes.

The speaker lineup includes:

-Victoria Garrick Browne, founder of The Hidden Opponent, speaker and mental health advocate

-Danielle Slaton, Olympic medalist, broadcaster and co-founder of Bay Football Club

-Heidi Strickler, sports dietitian and wellness advocate

-Casey Watkins, educator and researcher in human performance

-Amy Sekhon Atwal, physician leader and campus health strategist

-Jessie Anderson, Falcon senior structures production and engineering manager at SpaceX and a ��Vlog alumna

“I hope participants leave with greater confidence in themselves, a stronger sense of belonging and relationships that can last a lifetime,” said Lesley Slaton Brown, a ��Vlog Foundation Board of Trustees member, Merced High School graduate and former senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for the NBA. “More than anything, I want them to believe their dreams in sports — and in life — are possible, and that the Valley needs their leadership.”

Slaton Brown said her involvement is a way to give back to the Valley that raised her and to help create the kind of opportunities she wishes she had when she was young.

“Growing up in Merced, sports weren’t just something I did — it shaped who I am. It taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork and how to lead with heart,” she said. “I’ve carried those lessons with me into every space I’ve entered. I want the girls who attend this summit to feel seen, valued and capable, because I know how transformative it can be when someone believes in you.”

Nancye Rahn, assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator at ��Vlog and co-chair of the conference, said the event is designed to help girls invest in themselves.

“To the girls who are thinking about attending: This day is for you,” Rahn said. “It’s an opportunity to build confidence, learn new strategies for performance and well-being and connect with other athletes who share your passion. From leadership development to mental wellness and performance strategies, everything is designed to help you grow.”

The idea for Together We Will grew from conversations about the unique pressures facing teen girls in sports and the need for more intentional support systems.

Lisa Pollard Carlson, ��Vlog’s associate vice chancellor of philanthropy and strategic partnerships and one of the event’s organizers, said she sees the conference as more than a single day of programming. As a parent of a teenage athlete who will attend the event, she brings both a professional and personal perspective to the effort.

“We see the ripple effect of a program like Together We Will,” Pollard Carlson said. “The girl who attends will go back into her community, her school and her team with resources that will not only help her but those around her. It’s not only a starting point — it is a launching point. It’s about the power of connection, the power of being together. Together, we will thrive. Together, we will lift each other up. Together, we will create change.”

Organizers hope the conference will become an annual tradition at ��Vlog, reinforcing the university’s commitment to leadership development, student well-being and community engagement throughout the Central Valley.

The conference is free to attend, though registration is required. Together We Will takes place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the ��Vlog campus. Lunch will be provided for participants. For more information, visit together.ucmerced.edu.

Spotlighting Black Trailblazers Whose Stories Deserve to be Told

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:04:23 +0000

By Patty Guerra and Jody Murray, ��Vlog

February 12, 2026

��Vlog academics reflect on Black pioneers (clockwise from top left) Lorraine Hansberry, Oscar Micheaux, Granville Woods, Ida B. Wells, and W.E.B. Du Bois.

Black History Month often honors familiar names, leaders whose courage and determination changed the course of a nation. But many others have made groundbreaking contributions that exposed injustice, advanced civil rights, reshaped American culture and revolutionized technology. Their achievements and efforts were met with threats, ignorance and suppression. Some had soaring potential cut short by mortal illness.

We asked members of ��Vlog’s academic community to reflect on Black historical figures who made powerful contributions to their fields and to society. We believe shining a light on their lives and legacies can more strongly connect them to the work of students, researchers and creators at ��Vlog and beyond.

W.E.B. Du Bois

Du Bois (1868–1963) was a sociologist, epidemiologist and co-founder of the NAACP. He authored seminal works that influenced the development of disciplines in the social and health sciences, such as “The Souls of Black Folk," which introduced the idea of "double consciousness." His use of census information, door-to-door interviews and data graphics helped establish American sociology as an evidence-based science.

Postdoctoral Fellow and medical sociologist Leia Belt on Du Bois: At a time when racist pseudoscience and white supremacy dominated academic discourse, Du Bois insisted on combining statistical analysis with qualitative data collection to document the lived realities of Black Americans and demonstrate that structural forces — not biological differences — produced racial inequality.

Through his academic work, Du Bois and his research team at Atlanta University helped establish one of the first schools of scientific sociology in the United States and pioneered innovative approaches to data visualization globally

Beyond academia, Du Bois was a father, spouse, public intellectual, activist and artist. In addition to co-founding the NAACP, he served as editor of The Crisis, using writing as a tool for education and mobilization. He also used art to share his social and political critiques and liberatory hopes, penning novels such as “The Quest of the Silver Fleece,” as well as essays, poetry and the historical pageant-play “The Star of Ethiopia.”

Lorraine Hansberry

A playwright and civil rights activist, Hansberry (1930–1965) was the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway with "A Raisin in the Sun." The play earned her the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award at age 29. An accomplished journalist, she wrote about racial and social justice. Her life was cut short by cancer at 34.

Critical race & ethnic studies and history Professor Nicosia Shakes on Hansberry: When “A Raisin in the Sun” premiered on Broadway in 1959, Hansberry received international attention. Inspired by her family’s experience with housing segregation in Chicago, “A Raisin in the Sun” was nominated for several Tony awards. She earned the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play. “Raisin in the Sun” has become one of the most staged American plays globally, with several film adaptations.

Hansberry wrote other plays, including “The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window,” which premiered on Broadway in 1964, and “Les Blancs.”

As a journalist, she was a prolific writer who authored articles about race and gender. She was committed to global anticolonial struggles as well as the U.S. struggle for civil rights, working alongside other famous activist artists such as James Baldwin, Harry Belafonte and Lena Horne. She lived to see the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act but passed away a year later.

Hansberry left behind many unfinished writings, including an autobiography, “To Be Young, Gifted and Black,” published in 1969.

Despite her short life, Lorraine Hansberry’s name remains etched in U.S. history for her contributions to theater and her commitment to racial justice.

Oscar Micheaux

A pioneering filmmaker, Micheaux (1884–1951) produced the first known Black-directed feature, "The Homesteader," in 1919. He directed more than 40 "race films" that countered Hollywood stereotypes. "Within Our Gates," in 1920, was a searing, direct response to D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation." Micheaux faced heavy censorship, segregationist theater laws and resistance from white society.

Media and performance studies Professor Yehuda Sharim on Micheaux: Oscar Micheaux was not simply a filmmaker; he personified the start of a revolution in cinema and far beyond. In addition to his incredible legacy of 44 films and seven novels, Micheaux reminds us that cinema and creativity belong to all — ALL — of us. All of us who believe in equality. All of us who fight against the odds. All of us who fight to create a space for discipline and fire to teach ourselves to achieve new, often unprecedented levels of excellence.

All of us — from Haile Gerima, Bad Bunny, June Jordan and Charles Burnett to Ruben Sanchez, Cherien Dabis, Mohammed Bakri and Ava Duvernay — who insist our communities should be represented with care and profound artistry. And all — ALL — of us who are forced into cells, imaginary and real, but then demand liberation and dignity with unimagined determination.

Ida B. Wells

A pioneering investigative journalist and civil rights activist, Wells (1862–1931) led an anti-lynching crusade and debunked narratives used to justify racial violence. Born into slavery, Wells co-founded the NAACP and championed women's suffrage. Throughout her career, she faced systemic racism and exclusion.

African history Professor Maria Martin on Wells: She was a courageous, intellectual and enterprising woman who fought against extrajudicial killings (lynchings) of Black people. Wells was born in Mississippi and later domiciled in Memphis, where she became a committed schoolteacher. When she wrote an editorial for The Evening Star newspaper that protested the conditions of Black schools, she lost her teaching position.

Afterward, Wells became a prolific and devoted journalist who co-owned and wrote for the Free Speech and Headlight newspaper in Memphis. She was known as Princess of the Press. Her activism grew exponentially after she gave a speech, “Lynch Law and All Its Phases,” in 1893. The speech chronicled the brutal lynching of three Black entrepreneurs who opened a grocery store that competed with a nearby white-owned grocery store. The Black men were friends of Wells.

She was moved by righteous indignation to speak out about the heinous murders of Black people by lynching in the South. In Free Speech, Wells wrote about the lynching of her friends. As a result, her office was stormed and destroyed. She was out of town, but a threat was made against her life and she was warned not to return. Nonetheless, Wells continued to speak about and report on the horrid details of Southern lynchings.

Ida B. Wells was a beacon of truth and accountability for the democratic notion of liberty that so many cite as foundationally American.*

* Shirley Wilson Logan, “With Pen and Voice” (Carbondale and Edwardsville: Southern Illinois University Press, 1995), pages 75-79.

Granville Woods

Woods (1856–1910), a prolific inventor, obtained 45 patents and revolutionized railroad and electrical technology. Often referred to as “Black Edison,” his innovations included a telegraph that allowed communication between moving trains. As a boy, he was transfixed by locomotives chugging across the prairie. By age 10, he was working in a railroad shop. Woods faced racism, patent disputes and financial struggles. He died at 53 of complications from smallpox.

Professor Sarah Kurtz, Electrical Engineering program chair, on Woods: He is sometimes credited with inventing the roller coaster, though his contribution was how to bring electrical power to the roller coaster cars in a way that was safe to people who might be near the tracks. Woods also invented a “telegraphy” that enabled a telephone and telegraph connection on the same wire, as well as a safety dimmer that was used to dim lights in theaters safely and that reduced electricity use by 40 percent.

How many of us could name the inventor of the many devices that run our world? Granville Woods is an example of an inventor we may not know by name, but who contributed more than 50 inventions.

UC Berkeley Exhibit Marks 20 Years of ��Vlog’s Design Vision

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 19:03:45 +0000

By Francesca Dinglasan, ��Vlog

February 10, 2026

“From the Ground Up: Building ��Vlog” is on display at UC Berkeley’s Bauer Wurster Hall through February 20.

From open farmland in California’s Central Valley to a global model for sustainable design, ��Vlog’s architectural story is currently on view as part of a special exhibit at UC Berkeley’s Bauer Wurster Hall.

Located in one of Berkeley’s most iconic Brutalist buildings and the home of the College of Environmental Design, “From the Ground Up: Building ��Vlog” features oversized photographs, architectural models and sketches that trace Merced’s ambitious growth while creating a visual and conceptual bridge between the University of California’s first and newest campuses.

The exhibition coincides with ��Vlog’s 20th anniversary and launched with an opening-night symposium on Jan. 29. Moderated by Brian Harrington, director of physical and environmental planning at the UC Office of the President, the event brought together several of the campus’s original architects and planners alongside academic leaders. The conversation explored ��Vlog’s rapid evolution over the past two decades, examining how the ideals that shaped the university’s earliest days continue to influence its trajectory.

A panel of ��Vlog's original architects and planners alongside academic leaders

UC Berkeley Assistant Vice Chancellor and Campus Architect Wendy Hillis placed ��Vlog within the broader history of UC campus design, emphasizing how architecture reflects shifting ideas about place, identity and purpose.

“The original campus architect was Frenchman Emile Bernard,” Hillis said, recalling early debates surrounding UC Berkeley’s master plan. “There was a lot of angst around the fact that it was a Frenchman who won. There were concerns about what it meant to build this great university using a model that wasn’t American.”

Hillis contrasted Berkeley’s vision with other UC campuses that followed their own architectural philosophies.

“For as much as UC Berkeley is about monumentality, about this white city on a hill imposing order on the landscape, you see Santa Cruz embracing landscape,” she said. “That contrast raises a really interesting question: What is the University of California, and what imagery do we use to represent it?”

��Vlog, Hillis said, reflects a later shift toward architecture rooted in place and vernacular. The challenge ahead lies in balancing growth with stewardship, she said.

“Looking at the axes and open spaces, our challenge now is about the amount of land we have and how we continue to grow students and faculty,” Hillis said. “What are the special places and landscapes that need to be saved, and where can we take increased density?”

Michael Duncan, a design partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, described ��Vlog’s character as the product of an iterative process.

“We’re here to give our impressions of the campus. We all worked there before, and we all had a hand in these things,” Duncan said.

“This idea of evolution is really important,” he added. “Master plans can start one way and evolve over time. Buildings define a campus incrementally, and ideas or ideals set 25 years ago can still shape the campus today.”

Duncan pointed to the campus library, today known as the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library, as a formative project in establishing ��Vlog’s architectural identity.

“The library was one of the critical first buildings,” he said. “It was also student services, administration and many of the initial classrooms. The architectural guidelines for the campus were developed at the same time as these buildings.”

An early model shows how campus builders incorporated the existing environment.

Rather than prescribing rigid rules, Duncan explained, architects established shared principles as construction progressed. This approach allowed sustainability concepts to become embedded in the campus’s culture from the start.

“There’s another really powerful story here about the creation of one of the most sustainable universities in the country,” he said.

Tim Stevens, a principal at SCB Architects and a member of the firm’s campus environments leadership team, said ��Vlog’s design was guided by a search for authenticity.

“One of the most compelling questions in designing a new UC campus from scratch is: What is the character of the place?” Stevens said. “For ��Vlog, that meant rooting the campus in the Central Valley’s agricultural landscape.

“Most UC campuses were once fairly barren and remote pieces of land,” he added. “The initial buildings at Merced used honest material expression and a shared architectural vocabulary. They gave the university an immediate sense of stability and permanence.”

Those early choices, Stevens said, shaped later phases of development, including the Merced 2020 expansion, which emphasized a mixed-use campus model.

“The library wasn’t just a library,” he said. “It was the student center and the campus store. That mixing of uses became inspirational for future buildings.”

Lilian Asperin, a partner at WRNS Studio, described the years between 2015 and 2020 as a pivotal moment for the campus.

“The public-private partnership, or P3, pulled together broad expertise with deep financial backgrounds and allowed the campus to move at speed,” Asperin said. “It was an incredible solution to the challenge of first funding.”

“What often gets lost is how much courage it took to make it real,” she added. “It was teamwork in the truest sense: public and private partners aligning around a shared mission.”

Asperin emphasized the importance of that mission, which was doubling the size of the campus to serve a region and student population with significant unmet need.

“There was a shared understanding that we were serving first-generation students,” she said. “That sense of purpose was powerful.”

��Vlog Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Daniel Okoli concluded the symposium by noting that the campus’s physical form cannot be separated from its founding mission.

“The founding vision talked about expanding access to the University of California in the Central Valley and advancing social and economic mobility,” Okoli said. “It also talked about sustainability. That set the tone.”

For Okoli, the campus’s most lasting impact is cultural. He pointed to how students responded during campus protests in 2024.

“Our students behaved differently,” he said. “They took care of the campus. When the encampment ended, they cleaned the grounds and left it better than they found it.”

“That says something about the kind of students who come from this place,” Okoli added. “They go into the world and begin to change it.”

From the Ground Up: Building ��Vlog runs until February 20 at Bauer Wurster Hall Gallery in UC Berkeley.

��Vlog Recognized on Newsweek’s Inaugural ‘America’s Best Colleges for Women’ List

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 23:06:18 +0000

University Communications

February 4, 2026

��Vlog was named one of the best colleges for women by Newsweek.

��Vlog has been recognized on Newsweek’s inaugural America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026 list, a national ranking designed to spotlight institutions that support, advance and elevate women across campus and beyond.

Newsweek developed the new report in partnership with Gender Fair, an organization that promotes gender equity and accountability. As part of the methodology, universities and colleges were evaluated on key measures that matter to women students and families weighing higher education choices. Criteria include leadership opportunities, pay and policies, campus safety, and overall opportunities for women.

According to Newsweek’s website, the goal of this list is to provide prospective students, families and educators with a comprehensive resource that centers women’s experiences in evaluating higher education options. Newsweek states that colleges and universities appearing on the list “place a strong emphasis on factors directly tied to women’s success and experience on campus,” including institutional policies that support equitable pay and advancement, robust safety records and opportunities for leadership.

For more details on America’s Best Colleges for Women 2026, and the full methodology, visit newsweek.com/americas-best-colleges-for-women-2026.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: A Day On, Not a Day Off

Anonymous — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 21:06:06 +0000

Alyssa Johansen, ��Vlog

January 15, 2026

From Merced to Yosemite, ��Vlog will mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a Day of Service on Jan. 19, inviting volunteers to serve and connect.

��Vlog will honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. by hosting a day of action, inviting the campus and community to serve together on Monday, Jan. 19.

In keeping with King’s call to build a “beloved community,” ��Vlog’s Community Engagement Center is inviting students, staff, faculty and alumni to participate in a range of service projects throughout Merced and beyond as part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

“This National Day of Service is a time to come together, give back and work toward the community Dr. King envisioned,” event organizers said.

For ��Vlog students, the service opportunities are eligible for CatLife and CollegeCorps credit.

“Participating in community service, especially on a day meant to honor such an impactful voice who fought for the equal treatment of all human beings, is important in any community,” said Melina Ramirez, a student staff member with the Community Engagement Center. “We should take advantage of our ability to help build up the community of Merced. We can only rely on each other to strengthen the well-being of our fellow community members.”

Ramirez said she is especially looking forward to spending time with senior living residents on MLK Day, noting that they often share meaningful life experiences and advice.

“Giving ��Vlog the opportunity to engage on MLK Day allows us, alongside the city of Merced, to recognize the power of unity and what we can accomplish through collective effort,” said Pricilla Cardenas, community engagement coordinator. “Service reminds us that carrying MLK’s legacy forward means showing up for our communities and putting his values into practice. It helps us build the kind of place he worked for, where people look out for one another.”

Several service opportunities are scheduled throughout the day, allowing volunteers to participate based on their interests and availability.

One of the day’s signature events is the Unity March, beginning at the Merced Amtrak Station, 324 W. 24th St. Volunteers will help support the march and accompanying community celebration by assisting with coordination, event logistics, vendor support, parking management and information distribution. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 10 a.m.

Community members can also assist with the annual MLK Program at the Merced Theatre, 301 W. Main St. Volunteers will help welcome attendees and check in performers and vendors. Volunteer arrival time is 11 a.m.

Those interested in intergenerational service can volunteer at Park Merced Senior Living, 3050 M St., where ��Vlog volunteers will engage residents through recreational activities. A morning session from 10 to 11 a.m. will include board games, coloring and reading. An afternoon session from 3 to 4 p.m. will focus on assisting with a bingo game.

The day will conclude with the MLK Day of Service at the D Street Shelter, 317 E. 15th St., where volunteers will join Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto to prepare and serve meals for people experiencing homelessness. Volunteers should arrive at 5 p.m.

In addition to local service opportunities, ��Vlog volunteers will also spend the day serving at Yosemite National Park as part of a full-day MLK Day of Service project in collaboration with the Yosemite Leadership Program. The 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. service opportunity will support the park’s volunteer awards event and assist with essential operations, including event setup, sorting and displaying clothing donations, and supporting guests throughout the day. All volunteer spots for the Yosemite project are currently filled, though a waitlist is available.

Visit the MLK Day of Service webpage for more information about volunteering and transportation options available through the ��Vlog Community Engagement Center.

University of California, Merced - Alyssa Johansen

From Classrooms to Communities, ����Vlog Symposium Tackles Public Health Challenges

����Vlog Welcomes High Schoolers Studying Jobs that Support Families

����Vlog’s Center for Health Equity Convenes Partners to Address Patient Trust Gap in San Joaquin Valley