UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED

BERKELEY • DAVIS • IRVINE • LOS ANGELES • MERCED • RIVERSIDE • SAN DIEGO • SAN FRANCISCO SANTA BARBARA • SANTA CRUZ

Calvin E. Bright Success Center UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, MERCED

Services for Undocumented Students & 5200 N. LAKE ROAD
Special Populations MERCED, CALIFORNIA 95343-5603

August 17, 2016

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great pleasure that I submit this letter of recommendation for Ms. Mercedes Mendoza for
your consideration. As the Associate Director of Calvin E. Bright Success Center at the University of
California, Merced, I have known Mercedes for more than three and a half years. It is in this context
that the following observations and recommendations are written.

As a Peer Instructor for Undergraduate Studies 010 and as Academic Scholar for the Fiat Lux
Scholars Programs, Mercedes distinguished herself as an engaging role model for her student peers,
and first-generation students and their families. The duties of her positions included activity planning
and implementation, leadership training, public speaking, peer counseling, outreach, group facilitation,
and more. She handled this wide range of responsibilities skillfully.

Mercedes has shown herself to be a responsible and dedicated individual. She has a deep sense of
concern for others, and has a good understanding of personal and organizational development and
group dynamics. Mercedes' outreach skills are excellent, enabling her to establish good relationships
with a wide variety of people. Mercedes' decisions are based on what would be best for all concerned
and not what would be easiest to do. I believe her commitment to helping people is most genuine.

I enjoyed working with Mercedes; she is a conscientious, compassionate and caring individual with a
warm sense of humor. Her ability to maintain a positive attitude and keep a heavy school, activity,
work, and family responsibilities in perspective is to be commended.

Mercedes’s commitment to education was demonstrated by her involvement on campus and in her
community, and coupled with her outstanding academic performance represents the type of student
that should be embraced in any community of scholars.

Mercedes comes from a region of the state of California that is not renown for its college going
culture. As a high school senior she distinguished herself through her academics, community
involvement, leadership opportunities, and more. Mercedes is an example of the greatness one can
achieve despite obstacles that present themselves through societal, cultural, or personal formations.
Mercedes is very conscious and proud of who she is and where she comes from. We at the University
are excited of the person she is becoming and the person she will eventually become.

It has been my pleasure and honor to know Mercedes and her family during her time here at the
university, and what I have learned is that Mercedes is a young woman with humble origins who
genuinely wishes to make a difference. Her strengths can be traced to her own origins, her
commitment to be the first in her family to attain a college degree, the unconditional love and support
of her family, and the desire to help those who share the same goals.
Her level of maturity for someone her age is exceptional. Mercedes has grown both intellectually as
well personally during her undergraduate tenure; this was most evident in her willingness to engage in
scholarly dialogue, coupled with her ability to implement into practical application what she has
learned.

As a student Mercedes has distinguished herself as an emerging student leader as well as a person
of conscience. The latter was most evident in Mercedes' efforts to assist others in developing
understanding and appreciation of differences. Her openness to new experiences and challenges
coupled with her receptivity and effectiveness with a variety of constituencies will bring an individual of
versatility and solid work ethic. And, she is commended with a high degree of confidence and high
expectations.

Mercedes is a young woman who is in a perpetual state of personal and intellectual growth and not
one to shy away from those things that will enhance or contribute to that growth. What I value so
much about Mercedes is her willingness to share about her life with prospective students who come
from a variety of backgrounds. She is awe inspiring in her ability to motivate young people to achieve
their own personal greatness. Especially with those young people who share the same dream as
Mercedes; to advance themselves and those who will follow them.

Mercedes is an exceptional young woman who possesses those attributes that are invaluable to a
person of high convictions; e.g., commitment, passion, integrity, and intelligence. Be assured that
Mercedes Mendoza will enrich your program with these attributes.

If you should have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (209) 228-4625.

Sincerely,

Alejandro S. Delgadillo
Associate Director of the Calvin E. Bright Success Center
UC Merced