At Merrill College, students learn by doing. A Merrill education means understanding the world, experiencing it, and learning how to make meaningful change. Now more than ever our community needs graduates equipped with these skills. Experiential education classes and programs give students opportunities to work in their chosen fields or areas of interest, connect with mentors, and experience hands-on research at a level that many don’t get to experience before graduate school. Merrill College is devoted to supporting existing experiential learning programs, as well as creating new programs that reflect the ethos of Merrill College.
Since its founding, Merrill College has been committed to providing opportunities for students to actively participate in the world around them as part of their education. Making a gift not only supports Merrill students and the local community, but also furthers our mission to increase opportunities to engage in this hands-on approach to learning. Make your gift now and learn about the programs that you are supporting below.
Classroom Connection
The Classroom Connection Program engages students in the community through education. Undergraduates volunteer in an elementary school classroom or in a middle school after-school tutoring program two days each week, attend course meetings, and receive class credits. Their work helps create a culture of college-going among populations that might not otherwise consider it.
Field Study
Merrill Field Study allows students to find a local organization or agency to work with that they are passionate about, to learn how they operate, and to come together in class to analyze those operations. Students become a part of a greater learning community and, through participation in field study, bring back both practical skills and expanded awareness to share with one another.
Focus on Africa
Merrill's Focus on Africa Program focuses on both current affairs on the African continent and specific methodologies students can use to build viable constituencies for Africa on campus and in their home communities. In the 2014–15 school year, 11 students were able to visit London, Cape Town, and Dar es Salaam during a 16-day trip abroad. Students on this trip gained hands-on experience as documentarians during the 2015 World Economic Forum on Africa.
Merrill Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program
The Merrill Undergraduate Research Mentorship Program allows students to work as research apprentices, interacting one on one with faculty members, assisting with publishing papers, and working in labs. These mentorships are designed to provide research, personal, and professional development for Merrill students.
College Scholars Program
The College Scholars Program offers students a place to challenge themselves academically, to find other students who are similarly motivated, and to explore undergraduate research. It gives students a chance to engage in the best of UCSC early in their college career, beyond required coursework. Each college has a cohort of about 20 to 25 students.
Merrill Alumni Careers in Public Service
The Merrill Alumni Careers in Public Service course showcases Merrill alumni and their careers dedicated to making positive change. This class offers Merrill students a chance to talk shop with successful alumni and learn from their experiences, skills, and career paths.
Leadership for Social Change
The Leadership for Social Change course is a collaborative course that explores leadership through the Social Change Model of Leadership Development and looks at community-building skills development. This hands-on class is targeted at student and staff leaders at both Merrill and Crown colleges. It is anticipated to serve as the introductory requirement for a Leadership Program that results in a certificate, and that will be open to all Crown and Merrill students.
