Joyce Yowell isn’t a stranger to most faculty at the School of Natural Sciences. As a Research Administrator for the School, she is a key player in submitting proposals and managing award funding. Her work days are filled with proposal preparation, post award administration, and snuggling her furry children (dogs, not humans… see below).
Joyce was raised in nearby Chowchilla and recalls the small and secure feeling the town provided when she was growing up there. Her mother was an educator who spent her summers ensuring Joyce enjoyed exploring many parts of the Central Valley and California.
Refusing to let the job market dictate what she studied, Joyce followed her heart and majored in Environmental Science and Landscape Ecosystems at Humboldt State. Unsure of her career path post-college, Joyce found herself working in the nonprofit sector for a few years, assisting with initiatives such as household energy assistance and providing contract management assistance for a wildlife research institute.
Joyce discovered upon returning to the Central Valley that she was happy to return to her roots. She is proud to work at UC Merced because of how much it gives to the region in terms of education, outreach and employment.
When not pursuing her lesser known talent of consulting on decluttering and organizing, Joyce loves to spend her free time outside hiking and sightseeing, or at home cooking with family and friends. She also loves unwinding by playing her ukulele and spending time with her dogs, Lily Pants, Chewbacca, and Gizmo.
If you have yet to meet Joyce, we invite you to introduce yourself next time your paths cross. We are thankful for her dedicated support of the School of Natural Sciences.
