UC Merced, Campos Foundation Deepen Commitment to Underrepresented STEM Students

The Campos Foundation's mission is to elevate underrepresented students in STEM fields by creating access and early exposure to those fields. Through the Summer Bridge Academy, students are given the opportunity to see themselves as future engineers, a particularly critical focus in communities where many young people are first-generation college students.

"As someone who comes from a family of immigrants, with neither parent attending college, it was unclear how STEM or engineering would be for me," another participant said. "With the Campos ENgage Engineering Summer Bridge Academy program, I'm able to see engineering as a plausible path."

A generous grant from the Campos Foundation in 2025 enabled UC Merced to pilot the program's first cohort of 23 students. This year, the foundation renewed its support, allowing the campus to expand the program to 25 participants.

Results from that first cohort point to the program's promise. Of the 23 students in that group, 56% applied and were admitted to UC Merced, and 46% of those admitted went on to enroll for the fall term, an early indication that the academy is helping create a lasting pipeline to campus.

Through the program, students gained a better understanding of the work engineers do along with hands-on experiences that empowered them to picture themselves in a professional role. Their participation also introduced them to UC Merced as a supportive, attainable educational home built with their specific needs in mind, making both a college degree and an engineering career feel within reach.

"It was truly a blessing to be a part of this program," one student reflected. "It not only helped me learn more about engineering, but also about myself and what I value."

"The impact on the first cohort of Campos ENgage engineering students made clear how much this program means for these promising scholars and for the Central Valley's future engineering workforce," said Deanna Miller Campos, president of the Campos Foundation. "This important partnership between the Campos Foundation and UC Merced is continuing to create real pathways for underrepresented students in STEM, and we look forward to its ongoing growth and expansion."