Michael Pierick
Director of Degree Completion Program
My "Why:" Being able to provide for my family (wife and son), while being a part of a culture of innovation and disruption in education that strives to create greater equity and access for all students. The curiosity and unknown that is presented each day provides a new opportunity to take on.
Degrees Earned: BS in Management, UC Merced, 2016, M.A. in Educational Entrepreneurship (MAEE), University of the Pacific Benerd College, 2020
Life Goals: Be able to serve at a large capacity on designing and developing new programs that will bring immediate and long-term significant impact to underrepresented and at-risk populations and regions.
Aaron Rivera
Reentry Advisor
My "Why:” I want to uplift individuals of underrepresented groups in the higher education space. To see individuals succeed despite hurdles they may face inspires me to grow as a person and motives me to further my knowledge.
Degrees Earned: BS in Management and Business Economics, UC Merced
Life Goal: Be able to travel and experience different cultures, be able to smile and spread joy, and be able to leave a room better than when I entered.
Brenda Maldonado-Rosas
Director of Student Services, School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
My "Why:” Helping students connect their likes/passions with their education and career goals, while learning to navigate an education system many students are unaware of how to navigate.
Degrees Earned: BAs in English and Spanish, UC Davis, 2008; MS in Counseling, specialization in Career Counseling, CSU Sacramento, 2011
Life Goal: Continue to assist as many students, either directly or indirectly, to complete their degree and enter the next chapter of their education careers.
Maria Sifuentes
Academic Advisor
My "Why:” Empowering students to keep striving forward through their educational journey and assisting them along the way is a rewarding experience. I want to continue my advocacy for students' academic success by providing the most current knowledge, tools and resources that will benefit their professional and personal development.
Degrees Earned: AAT in Psychology & AA in Social & Behavioral Sciences, Merced College; BA in Psychology & Minor in Sociology, UC Merced; MA in School Counseling with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, Fresno Pacific University
Life Goal: Be able to continue assisting and providing opportunities for students to thrive within their academic journeys.
Elizabeth Whitmyre
Academic Advisor
My "Why:” I am passionate about education and the multitude of opportunities it offers, and I value the opportunity to help students continue to move forward in reaching their goals. I want to be a part of helping people discover and develop their own educational and personal strengths and empower them to be independently successful. Having the ability to impact students' lives positively keeps me motivated to continue this work.
Degrees Earned: BA in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Mathematics, CSU Stanislaus
Life Goal: At the end of the day, feeling joy in life is really what it’s about. So, my goals are surrounding myself with the right people, finding satisfaction and growth in my career, doing things and going places that bring me joy, and finding ways to give back so that others can have some joy in their lives, too.
Jessica Cantu
Financial Aid Advisor
My "Why:" My family. I strive to be the best role model I can be. Hard work, perseverance, and belief in yourself can take you anywhere you want to be in life. I am a first-generation college student who had 2 children during college but never gave up, no matter what obstacles were put in my way. Now, I want to give back to my community. I want to make a difference in the Degree Completion Program by supporting students who want to complete their degree and may be experiencing similar struggles that I encountered while in college.
Degree Earned: BA in Psychology, California State University, Stanislaus
Life Goal: I would love to travel to new places and explore the world around me. This would allow me to learn more about different cultures and connect with the students I work with on a deeper level.
Erin Webb
University Registrar
My "Why:" Student success is at the center of my why, and UC Merced always puts students first. From the first time I drove onto campus, I knew I had found my place.
Degrees Earned: BS in Accounting, Azusa Pacific University; MED in Student Affairs, Azusa Pacific University; EDD in Educational Leadership, CSU Stanislaus
Life Goals: With student success at the center, I want to continue to help students and faculty minimize administrative barriers with enhanced technology.
Genesis Flores Renteria
Registrar Specialist
My "Why:" Giving back to others the same way I received the support and resources to navigate education despite challenges I faced being a first-generation student. I am driven by being a part of the transformational picture of higher education and seeing how the results of my efforts make a difference in somebody achieving their definition of success.
Degree Earned: BA in Psychology & Minor in Sociology, UC Merced
Life Goals: Be able to contribute to the community of UC Merced and to be involved in the innovation and continual expansion of resources for every student to achieve their educational and personal goals.
Victoria Raines
Marketing Specialist
My "Why:" I’m a natural listener and I love looking for connections and pathways to help people move forward on their journeys. We benefit by the hard work of all who came before us, and it is our responsibility to lift others up along the way.
Degree Earned: BA English and Political Science, University of Nebraska; MA Program Literary Theory, California State University, Fresno
Life Goal: Engage with the progressive development and culture of UC Merced by connecting with and expanding the student community.
Marta Holtz
Financial Services Analyst
My "Why:" Family and the genuine joy of doing the work I do every day.
Degree Earned: Studied Business Administration, CSU Stanislaus
Life Goal: Visit other countries and learn about other cultures.
Governance & Leadership
Jeff Gilger
Dean of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
Anne Zanzucchi
Associate Dean, Academics & Student Services
Annette Roberts Webb
Dean of University Extension
