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Featured in This Issue
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Chancellor's Belonging Grant: Funding for campus community-building initiatives
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Reel Roots: LatinX stories of film, identity, and culture
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Merced Symphony Season Opening: A special evening of music and connection at UC Merced
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Lunch & Learn:
What is Inclusion Anyway?
Join us for this introductory training, where participants will explore foundational diversity, equity, and inclusion vocabulary as we reflect on the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus.
Open to all staff, faculty, and graduate students.
RSVP encouraged. Lunch provided.
September 17 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
COB2 392
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Latinx Luncheon:
Call for Nominations
Do you know a faculty or staff member who has made significant contributions in their professional field or uplifted the Latinx community in extraordinary ways?
Nominations are now open for recognition at the Latinx Luncheon on October 15, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in Admin 306. Honorees will be celebrated for their impact and invited to share their UC Merced stories with students and colleagues during a 10 to 15 minute table discussion. We encourage you to nominate someone special, including yourself!
Deadline: September 21
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Season Opening Celebration with the Merced Symphony
UC Merced Arts opens the 2026/27 season with an evening of music, community, and connection.
This special performance highlights the power of mentorship and shared artistry, offering audiences a vibrant program that celebrates the scale, beauty, and energy of the symphonic tradition. This event invites the campus and community to gather together for a joyful start to a year of performances, exhibitions, and cultural programs across Merced.
September 24 | 7:30 PM
Wallace-Dutra Amphitheatre
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Merced's 3rd Annual LitFest
It’s a Wild, Wild World
Celebrate the power of storytelling at Merced's 3rd Annual LitFest, hosted by Merced Writing Studies and UC Merced. This free community event features a poetry workshop, reading, and keynote address by award-winning poet Natalie Scenters-Zapico, offering a great opportunity for writers, readers, and literature enthusiasts to connect and be inspired in Downtown Merced.
September 25
Poetry workshop:
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM | Admin 345
Reading & keynote address:
7:00 PM | Merced Multicultural Arts Center, 645 W Main St., Merced, CA
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Food For Thought: Reel Roots
Join us for Reel Roots: LatinX Stories of Film & Identity, presented as part of UC Merced's Food for Thought series. Featuring filmmakers Eugenia Renteria and Gabriel Duran, the evening includes film screenings and a conversation on how storytelling can preserve culture, shape identity, and amplify LatinX voices.
Guests can also enjoy pozole prepared by featured UC Merced Chef Maria Maravilla using her family's recipe. This free event is open to the campus community and public. Space is limited!
October 1 | 6:00 PM
Conference Center Room 105
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Chancellor’s Belonging Initiatives Grant Program
EJIE invites members of the campus to submit proposals for the Chancellor’s Belonging Initiatives Grant Program. This program will support projects and initiatives that strengthen belonging, connection, inclusion, and community across the university. Special consideration will be given to projects reflecting humanities and social sciences foci, and to projects that promote student success and wellbeing.
Proposal Deadlines:
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Round 1: now through September 30, 2026
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Round 2: February 1, 2027
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Inclusion Champions Wanted!
Have you or a colleague recently received recognition or been honored for contributions to inclusion or community building? We’d love to feature you on our EJIE website!
Please send award or recognition details to us at EJIE@ucmerced.edu.
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In this section, EJIE highlights initiatives, ideas, & programs beyond UC Merced that offer food for thought, inspiration, & success in advancing inclusion.
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Transformative Research Toolkit
Now Available in Spanish
The Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley has released a Spanish-language version of its Transformative Research Toolkit. Designed for cultural workers, organizers, and community leaders, this resource offers practical tools and strategies for conducting community-centered research, analyzing power and policy, weaving cultural knowledge into advocacy efforts, and strengthening relationships through collective action. Explore the toolkit to discover approaches that help ensure all voices are valued and included in shaping more just and belonging-centered communities.
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Allies for Justice
Allyship is an ongoing practice of learning, listening, and supporting others. This article explores how allyship can contribute to justice and belonging in higher education while encouraging readers to reflect on the role we each play in fostering an inclusive campus culture.
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In this section we share photos of recent EJIE/UCM events.
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Congratulations to our bobcat plushy winner!
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Congratulations to Mel Alexandra, winner of the Bobcat Plush Drawing featured in our End-of-Year Photo Recap! We hope you enjoy your new Bobcat companion.
Be sure to stay tuned and continue reading the Digest. Each month, we'll be featuring a new drawing opportunity for readers, so be on the lookout for your next chance to win in the upcoming issue!
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Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mercado in Downtown Merced
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Pictured on the left, Associate Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary Services Alex Ramos, EJIE’s Director & Chief of Staff Dr. Karla Seijas, and Coordinator of Development for Community Engaged Scholarship Dr. Lora Burnett.
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EJIE Open House—September 10
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Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Open House and helped make it such a memorable event!
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2026 Merced Lao Boat Racing Festival—September 12
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UC Merced was proudly represented at the Merced Lao Boat Race by our Bobcats on a Boat team: Delia Saenz (captain & drummer), Kurt Schnier, Scott Hagg, Louis Rossi, Cori Lucero, Laura Martin, David Dunham, Gerry Elizondo, Christian Walker, Amy Lozano-Smith, Gillian Wilson, Amy Sekhon, Michael Pierick, Krystal Gonzales, Gregory Burnett, Sheyla Williams Avila, Lisa Perry, and John Burnett. Thank you for embodying the spirit of teamwork, pride, and community both on and off the water!
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We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts on this digest and help us make future editions even better by filling out our feedback form. Your input is invaluable.
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Missed an issue? Explore our most recent EJIE digest and access past publications on our website.
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In accordance with applicable Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate, or grant preferences, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and/or other protected categories. All EJIE events and programs are open to people of all identities.
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