For Immediate Release
November 14, 2003

Contact Information:
Patti Waid Istas
Office of Communications
(209) 724-4483 or (209) 658-4483
pistas@ucmerced.edu

UC Merced appoints Brandy Ramos Nikaido as interim Centers director

Merced -- The University of California, Merced has announced the appointment of Brandy Ramos Nikaido to the position of Interim Director of UC Merced Centers. The position is based at the Fresno center and reports to UC Merced’s Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost David B. Ashley.

As Centers Director, Nikaido will facilitate operations at its distributed learning centers in Fresno, Bakersfield and the Tri-College Center in Merced. She also will serve as UC Merced’s liaison to the Fresno-area community, acting as a conduit and representing the university at various community functions, with the goal of raising UC Merced’s visibility in Fresno.

The UC Merced Centers provide an integral link to the university, extending its mission to serve the educational needs of residents throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Services such as undergraduate admissions information, summer courses for UC students, professional development, teacher training, and workshops for educators are offered at the centers. Office space and meeting facilities also are available for rent.

In addition to Centers Director, Nikaido will continue to serve as Regional Communications Director for the UC Office of the President, a position she has held for the past three years. As regional communications director, Nikaido is responsible for increasing public and media awareness and understanding of the University of California in the San Joaquin Valley.

Prior to coming to UC, Nikaido worked for the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District from 1998 to 2000 as the Spare the Air Employer Partner Coordinator. From 1996 to 1998, she was Operations Manager for Solutions By Design, a full-service advertising agency in Fresno. She served as Community Affairs Director for KMPH Fox 26 from 1990 to 1996.

Nikaido is a Fresno native and a graduate of Bullard High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley.

UC Merced, the 10th campus of the UC system and the first major research university to be built in the United States during the 21st century, is scheduled to open in fall 2005 with 1,000 students, ultimately growing to a student population of 25,000. The university has a special mission to serve the educational needs of San Joaquin Valley residents, and is already serving area students through a concurrent admissions program at three Valley community colleges and by offering UC summer session courses in Fresno, Bakersfield and Atwater. UC Merced currently employs approximately 165 educators and professionals who are working on developing the physical and academic infrastructure of the campus.

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