Meet the Staff

FALL 2024 FIRST YEARS

See the Friday, August 23 message on your UC Merced email with information about your 2024-25 BAC academic advisor.

BOBCAT ADVISING CENTER TEAM

Michelle Roppeau, Ph.D.

Director of First Year and Undeclared Advising

maroppeau@ucmerced.edu

(209) 382-4407

ACADEMIC ADVISORS

Maria Ceja, M.S., Academic Advisor and Interim Coordinator of Peer Advising

mcejalopez@ucmerced.edu, (209) 228-0120

Advises 2024-25 first years with last name E, G, J, Y
Advises non-transfer second and third year undeclared with last name A-Z

Maria's story:

I was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and grew up in Orange Cove, a small citrus farming community in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Fresno. A proud first-generation college graduate, I completed a B.A. with an international development studies major and double minor in education and Chicana/o studies at UCLA and earned my master's degree in counseling with an emphasis in student affairs and college counseling at Fresno State. I have worked as a community college advisor and assistant director with the American Indian Recruitment, a student-initiated and student-run project with the UCLA Community Programs Office. I served with AmeriCorps City Year Los Angeles and as the lead career and family navigator in Reading and Beyond, Fresno Bridge Academy. I was also an employment readiness specialist in Regenerate California Innovation where I provided educational and career counseling to clients planning for career training and career positions. I enjoy running, yoga, and cooking various cuisines and hope to hike through a variety of national parks in the next few years. My advice to first year Bobcats: embrace and learn from both your small and big accomplishments at UC Merced! As former UCLA Coach John Wooden said, "Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life."

BAC Academic Advisor Intro: Maria Ceja (video)

Erendira "Dida" Estrada, M.S.P.H., Senior Academic Advisor and

Coordinator of Undeclared Transfer Student Support (preferred name: DIda)

eestrada2@ucmerced.edu, (209) 228-0119

Advises 2024-25 first years with last name A, D, K, N, O, X
Advises undeclared lower division transfers with last name A-Z

Dida's story:

A Merced local, I am a proud first-generation college graduate as well as a Bobcat alum. I earned a B.A. in psychological sciences (former name for the current psychology major) and M.S. in public health at UC Merced. My graduate research assistantship focused on multiple projects designed to improve health communication interventions in Merced County. I also worked as a research lab manager in the Communication, Culture, & Health (CCH) Research Lab at UC Merced where I trained undergraduate research assistants in qualitative data collection. Before joining the Bobcat Advising Center, I spent three years as a pre-health advisor at University of the Pacific where I developed and implemented a pre-health advising Canvas site. In my free time, I love to play video games (primarily horror genre) and travel; I recently had the chance to explore Yellowstone National Park. My advice to first year Bobcats: meet with your BAC academic advisor, attend office hours with your professor and teaching assistant (TA) in each class, and be courageous and go to the first meeting of that campus club or organization that sparks your interest! The first year at UC Merced goes by fast, so use the many free resources available, actively engage in your classes and campus activities, and establish a solid foundation for your personal, academic, and career success.

BAC Academic Advisor Intro: Dida Estrada (video)

Nora Garcia, M.S., Academic Advisor

ngarcia68@ucmerced.edu, (209) 228-0292

Advises 2024-25 first years with last name H, I, S, V

Nora's story:

I grew up in Modesto and began my higher education journey as a first generation college student at Modesto Junior College. After earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and Spanish minor at CSU Stanislaus with honors, I completed a master's degree in counseling with an emphasis in marriage, family, and child counseling summa cum laude at Fresno State. During graduate school, I supervised six counseling graduate students, served as a counselor trainee at the Fresno Family Counseling Center, led counseling groups, met with individual clients, and became a diversity, equity, and inclusion trained counselor. Before joining the Bobcat Advising Center, I worked as a career navigator where I advised first generation continuation high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds on college selection, choice of college major, and enrollment in college courses during high school. That position confirmed my passion for academic advising in higher education! A few fun facts about me: I enjoy karaoke, video games, attending conventions, trying new food and restaurants, and finding fun local events. I also have a great fascination with animation and enjoy collecting art books from some of my favorite animated films. My advice to first year Bobcats: be curious and explore! Build confidence in yourself by exploring the resources available on campus as well as throughout the city of Merced so you can make the most out of your academic and social life during your time at UC Merced.

BAC Academic Advisor Intro: Nora Garcia (video)

L. Maichi Lor, M.S., Academic Advisor (preferred name: Maichi)

l.maichi@ucmerced.edu, (209) 500-6303

Advises 2024-25 first years with last name M, R, W, Z

Maichi's story:

I am a native of Merced who started my higher education journey at Merced College. I then transferred to Fresno State where I earned a B.A. in psychology and an M.S. in counseling with an emphasis in student affairs and college counseling. During my graduate program, I completed 1200 hours of internships as part of my degree! I have competed in the Miss Hmong Central Valley, Miss Hmong California, and Miss Hmong International pageants where my platform focused on the significance of higher education for Hmong youth, the value of counseling and mentoring, and the importance of pursuing your dreams.

BAC Academic Advisor Intro: Maichi Lor (video)

Mark Stewart, M.A., M.S., Academic Advisor and

University Honors Program Advising Coordinator

mstewart13@ucmerced.edu, (209) 228-0311

Advises 2024-25 first years with last name L, P, Q, U
Advises 2024-25 first years in the University Honors Program with last name A-Z

Mark's story:

I am a native of Ohio, and I have also lived in Pennsylvania and Minnesota. I completed a bachelor's degree in English literature with a minor in history and a master's degree in English literature at John Carroll University in Ohio, then earned a second master's degree in scientific and technical communication at the University of Minnesota. In graduate school, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland, a life-changing experience that I wish I had done while I was an undergraduate. I have more than 12 years of academic advising and teaching experience at Minneapolis Business College where I helped first generation, low income, and underrepresented students succeed in their chosen academic and career path. I have taught college courses in written communication, speech, business, and professional career development, and I was honored as the Minnesota Career College Association Outstanding Instructor of the Year. My BAC academic advising caseload includes first years in every major as well as the 60 first years admitted into the new University Honors Program in Fall 2024. My advice to first year Bobcats: looking back, I wish that I had a better understanding of the amount of time it takes to be a successful college student. At UC Merced, expect to spend at least 35-40 hours a week outside class on your studies. Take advantage of the many resources available, including your BAC academic advisor!

BAC Academic Advisor Intro: Mark Stewart (video)

Xiong Vang, M.S., Academic Advisor and Multimedia Coordinator

xvang8@ucmerced.edu, (209) 228-0158

Advises 2024-25 first years with last name B, C, F, T

Xiong's story:

A Fresno native, I earned a B.A. in social work with a psychology minor and M.S. in counseling with an emphasis in student affairs and college counseling at Fresno State. I also completed a therapy practicum with training in crisis assessment. Before joining UC Merced, I held positions as a counseling intern, academic coach, Admissions ambassador, and Upward Bound tutor at Fresno State. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games, drawing, and taking photos in nature; my life goal is to travel and photograph the seven Wonders of the World. As a proud first-generation college graduate, my advice to first year Bobcats: meet with your BAC academic advisor to discuss your goals as well as identify the opportunities and campus resources that will set you on a path to success!

BAC Academic Advisor Intro: Xiong Vang (video)