Creating A Sense of Belonging At The Calvin E. Bright Success Center

At the Calvin E. Bright Success Center (BSC), we seek to make sure that every scholar feels as if they belong at the University of California, Merced and have the resources to thrive academically, personally, and professionally. The BSC has a dual purpose of supporting the retention and success of every UC Merced scholar. While also supporting the most resilient, determined, and systemically oppressed student populations that exist in higher education today. This is challenging & rewarding work that requires intense collaborations (with campus and community partners) and intentional community building strategies to ensure students experience our programs and services as supportive and enhancing to their college experience.

The BSC works to welcome and support scholars before they even join campus. For some BSC programs, we support potential scholars applying to UC Merced. Since they choose UC Merced and come to campus we lead them through New Student Orientation, and connect with the peer mentors and other campus resources designed to support their wholistic success while attending UC Merced. By participating in a BSC program or service, every UC Merced scholar increases their chances of graduating successfully!