ACADEMIC SERVICES

Library

Libraries located at both the Merced and Los Banos campuses, provide services, materials, technology, and media in support of Merced College’s institutional learning outcomes. Library services and resources include:

  • In-person and online research help for students, staff, and faculty

  • In-person and online information literacy competency and research instruction

  • Access to print and online information resources, as well as Wi-Fi, computers, laptops, calculators, chargers, and printing stations

  • Spaces for meetings, studying, reading, viewing media, and collaborating on projects

Current Merced College students, staff, and faculty have access to over 64,000 print books and over 275,000 ebooks, including nonfiction to support research needs, as well as children's picture books, young adult fiction, and graphic novels. In addition, the library provides access to over 70 databases containing hundreds of thousands of full-text journal articles, news, and magazine articles, streaming videos, and ebooks. Textbooks are put into Course Reserves by faculty, and materials are available for in-person use. Faculty librarians provide help with all aspects of the research process including finding, using, and evaluating information. Faculty librarians also teach research skills in the traditional and online classroom, and create research guides, tutorials, assignments, and activities to support student learning.

Assistance with library resources, services, and research, is available in-person, via phone, and online.
Call: Merced Library (209) 384-6080 or Los Banos Library (209) 381- 6434
Text: (209) 666-3235
Email: refdesk@mccd.edu

24/7 library chat available on the library website

Student Success Program

The Student Success Program oversees academic support services including, the library, the Student Success and Tutorial Center (SSTC), Study Central, Embedded Tutoring (ET), and Student Success Workshops. The program’s purpose is to increase student success and retention by providing academic support services that fit the diverse needs, multiple strengths, and the various ability levels of Merced College students. For more information, email studentsuccess@mccd.edu or contact the Student Success Office at (209) 384-6329.

Student Success and Tutorial Center (SSTC)

The Student Success and Tutorial Center (SSTC) provides a comfortable environment for students to receive assistance from highly trained peer tutors and faculty who specialize in a variety of academic fields. The SSTC provides drop-in tutoring in-person and online (via Zoom), faculty support, embedded counselor assistance and academic resources to help students succeed. The SSTC is equipped with computers, laptops, printers, calculators, Wi-Fi, and charging outlets. Print services are available, .10c for black/white copies and .40c for color copies (cash only). Students must be enrolled in credit courses to utilize SSTC services and will be enrolled in the TUT-106 noncredit course. This is an optional, open-entry/open-exit supplemental learning assistance course and there are no fees for this course. The SSTC is located in the Merced Campus Downey Learning Resource Center first floor, and it is open Monday through Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Outside of normal business hours, tutoring is available through Brainfuse 24/7 online tutoring. All students receive 10 free hours of tutoring from Brainfuse each semester. For more information, email tutoring@mccd.edu or call (209) 384-6329.

Study Central

Study Central offers free, face-to-face and online workshops that cover a variety of topics that support student success. The workshops are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 2 pm to 5 pm and students are welcome to attend on a drop-in basis. The center also offers study rooms for individual and group study. Study Central is located in the Downey Learning Resource Center first floor. For more information email tutoring@mccd.edu or call the Student Success Office at (209) 384-6329.

Embedded Tutoring

The Embedded Tutoring Program focuses on using peer tutors to provide additional individualized support during class activities, and to encourage students' participation inside the classroom. In embedded tutoring, a tutor works in the classroom under the instructor's guidance to help students understand course concepts and to enhance students' engagement. The embedded tutors also help foster connections for the students with academic support services and facilitate individual and group tutoring sessions in the Student Success and Tutorial Center (SSTC). For more information, email tutoring@mccd.edu or call (209) 384-6329.

Learning Communities

Learning Communities are pairs or clusters of courses that revolve around a theme or major. These courses are taught by creative faculty dedicated to student success. Learning Communities enhance students’ academic and social opportunities, improve connection with faculty and peers, and provide greater involvement in learning. If students are interested in learning communities they must enroll in all of the linked classes.

Puente Project

Puente students...

  • Succeed academically

  • Are recognized as leaders and scholars

  • Graduate from four-year colleges and universities

  • Belong to a statewide network of leaders and professionals.

Puente was founded in 1981 by Co-director's Felix Galaviz and Patricia McGrath at Chabot College in Hayward. The program's mission was to increase the number of Mexican American/Latino students transferring to four-year colleges and universities. Since then, Puente has expanded to numerous community colleges in and out of the state. Today, Puente is open to all students who wish to transfer to a four-year university. Many components work together to prepare Puente students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities:

English and Guidance Instruction: Puente students take three consecutive English classes, ENGL-01A, ENGL-13, and ENGL-01B. These classes provide a supportive and stimulating environment for Puente students to build confidence in their writing and reading skills through an exploration of the Mexican American/Latino experience. All Puente students are also required to enroll in the program's GUID 30 and GUID 45 courses.

Counseling: Puente students work closely with their Puente counselor until they transfer, exploring career options, developing an academic educational plan, and identifying lifetime goals. Students visit University of California, California State University and private college campuses and attend an annual Puente student transfer conference.

Mentors: Business or professional mentors share with students their personal, academic, and career experiences, and provide a window into “real-life” work environments. The network of trained Puente mentors provides many resources for the Puente students, their families, their colleges, and the community.

Other Activities: Puente students are required to attend university field trips and cultural and program events. These events are designed to help students achieve the goals of the program.

Call the Counseling Department at (209) 381-6478 for more information.

Umoja Project

The Umoja Program is designed to provide essential educational support and services to increase the academic success, retention, degree completion, and transfer rates of African-American and other students enrolled at Merced College. Students will accomplish this through monthly workshops, academic counseling, and mentoring. The aim is to develop a sense of "community" among African-American students, other students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

The Umoja Program provides:

  • Offering inspirational workshops and events throughout the semester

  • Access to campus resources and support services

  • Academic help through study groups and tutoring

  • Gaining cultural understanding by providing education forums and events that reflect and discuss African-American culture and history

The Umoja learning community is dedicated to improving the educational experiences and success of African-American and other students by providing a supportive learning environment that actively engages students through a cultural lens supportive of the experiences of African American and other students.

Honors Program

The Merced College Honors Program is designed to meet the needs of exceptional students by providing an enriched educational environment. Students are challenged to reach their full intellectual potential and to better prepare themselves for the academic demands of a four-year college or university.

Enrollment: Any new student with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, or any continuing student with a 3.25 cumulative grade point average, may enroll in honors classes. Students who do not meet one of these enrollment requirements may also enroll in individual honors classes by successfully completing the challenge process. Inquiries regarding the Honors Program should be directed to Dr. Max Hallman, Honors Program Coordinator, at (209) 384-6327 or at hallman.m@mccd.edu.

Curriculum: The core curriculum of the Honors Program will consist of several honors-designated courses that fulfill CSU and IGETC transfer requirements. At least two of these courses will be offered each semester. In some cases, the courses offered will be taught in back-to-back time slots with instructors coordinating their lectures.

In addition to the core curriculum, a two-unit honors seminar will be offered each semester. These seminars are intended to give the student an opportunity to do advanced reading and research under the close supervision of a Merced College faculty member or members.

Honors Scholarships: With available funds through the Merced College Foundation, McConnell Honors Scholarships are offered to a number of students enrolled in honors classes. These scholarships carry a $1000 award and may be provided for a maximum of two years. For more information on honors scholarships, contact Dr. Max Hallman at (209) 384- 6327 or the Financial Aid Office at (209) 384-6031.

Alpha Gamma Sigma

Initial Membership: Students with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 can attain initial membership upon completion of at least 12 semester units within a maximum of two semesters at any recognized institution of higher education. (No units acquired more than two years prior to application for initial membership will be used prohibitively.)

Temporary Membership: Life members of the California Scholarship Federation who graduated with a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the high school level, are invited to become a temporary member during the first semester at a community college. Upon the payment of fees, temporary members have all the privileges of membership except that of holding office.

Continuing Membership: An initial or temporary member can attain continuing membership status by achieving at least a 3.0 GPA for the previous semester in courses recognized in college standing, or by maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA or better in courses of recognized college standing. (Continuing members will receive a one-semester grace period to recover from a drop below 3.0 GPA. There will not be two consecutive grace periods.)

Permanent Membership: A member can apply for permanent membership by maintaining a cumulative 3.5 GPA or higher and by being a member of AGS for at least one term. A continuing member who has maintained a cumulative 3.25 GPA or higher and who has been a member of AGS for at least two terms may also apply. All applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 semester units of recognized college courses with a minimum of 30 units completed at a community college.

Retroactive Membership is also an option. Ask an advisor for details.

For additional information, please visit our Clubs & Honors website.

Lambda Nu (LN)

Lambda Nu (LN) is a national honor society for the radiologic and imaging sciences. Its objectives are to:

  • foster academic scholarship at the highest academic levels

  • promote research and investigation in the radiologic and imaging sciences

  • recognize exemplary scholarship

There are currently 182 LN Chapters in 43 states. Lambda Nu's name is derived from the lower case Greek characters in the formula ln, which represents the physics of the inverse relationship between wavelength (l) and frequency (n), an essential parameter across the diversity of modalities comprising the professions.

Membership: To be accepted to the California Omega Chapter of Lambda Nu, radiologic and imaging sciences students must:

  • Have cumulative GPA must be a 3.40 or higher on a 4.0 scale after one full-time semester (or equivalent) of a professional program.

  • Be enrolled in a radiologic or imaging sciences program as a full-time student for at least one term.

  • Show evidence of professional commitment beyond minimum requirements of the program, including, but not limited to: cumulative GPA higher than Chapter minimum, actively pursuing an independent research project, active membership in a professional organization, as evidenced by: membership in ASRT, CSRT or SDMS societies, holding office or committee appointments, preparing for presentation of a professional paper or poster, preparing for competition in a QuizBowl or clinical based employment in a radiologic or imaging sciences field.

  • Pay a one-time membership fee at the time of application.

Privileges: Members of Lambda Nu are entitled to:

  • Wear the Lambda Nu cords at graduation;

  • Apply for Lambda Nu scholarships;

  • Participate in projects of the local California Omega chapter.

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest international honor society serving colleges offering associate degree programs. Founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa currently has more than 1,200 chapters in the United States and abroad. Its main purpose is to recognize and encourage academic excellence among associate degree students, but the four hallmarks to which Phi Theta Kappa is dedicated are scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.

Membership: To be accepted into Phi Theta Kappa, a student must:

  • Have completed at least 12 units of course work at Merced College;

  • Have a cumulative grade point average of 3.45 or higher;

  • Complete and submit a membership profile form;

  • Pay a one-time membership fee at the time of application.

Privileges: Members of Phi Theta Kappa are entitled to:

  • Wear the Phi Theta Kappa stole at graduation;

  • Have the Phi Theta Kappa seal affixed to their diploma;

  • Attend regional and national conventions;

  • Participate in the Summer Honors Institute;

  • Apply for assorted Phi Theta Kappa scholarships (there are 39 million dollars in transfer scholarships available);

  • Participate in projects of the local chapter.

The principal induction is held during the spring semester, but memberships will be accepted throughout the academic year; however, graduating students must apply at least 45 days prior to graduation.

Rising Scholars

Our rising scholars program currently collaborates with VSP, CCWF, United States Penitentiary, Atwater (USP) & Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex (JJCC) to expand opportunities and to build strong pathways from incarceration to academia. We understand that students who have experienced the criminal justice system can face significant barriers to academic and career success. We strive to eliminate these barriers and are dedicated to opening opportunity and academic achievement for those who have been system impacted.

Rising Scholars Program Services

  1. Academic counseling with a counselor who has specialized experience working with system impacted students.

  2. Referral to campus and community resources.

  3. Assistance navigating Financial Aid.

  4. Private computer lab, free campus printing, and school supplies.

  5. Transportation and meal assistance as needed.

  6. Textbook assistance as needed.

  7. Skills building workshops, events, and field trips.

  8. A Rising Scholars Program stole at graduation.

On campus we serve formerly incarcerated and systems impacted students.

Merced College Rising Scholars Office

Bizzini Interdisciplinary Academic Center: IAC Building B - Rising Scholars
Travis Hicks – Dean of Rising Scholars (209)-381-6489
Michelle Greenwood – Assistant Director Rising Scholars (209) 384-6399
Rising Scholars Website

Valley State Prison (VSP)

Classes are held at Valley State Prison; Chowchilla, CA

Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) – CDCR

Classes are held at Central California Women’s Facility; Chowchilla, CA.

Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex (JJCC)

Classes are held online at Merced College and in person at Iris Garrett Juvenile Justice Correctional Complex, Merced, CA.

United States Penitentiary, Atwater (USP)

Classes are held at USP via Webex and in person at Camp in United States Penitentiary, Atwater, CA.