UC Merced has assumed its place in the top echelon of research institutions in the nation by earning R1 status from Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The announcement was made Thursday morning by the American Council on Education and comes less than 20 years after the university opened its doors.
With the prestigious designation, UC Merced lays claim to being the only R1 university in the Central Valley of California and joins an exclusive group of 187 accredited doctoral-granting universities in the United States — out of nearly 4,000 — that feature “very high research spending and doctorate production.” Less than 10% of the nation’s eligible public and private colleges and universities have acquired the R1 designation.
“Earning the highly coveted Carnegie R1 benchmark exemplifies UC Merced’s status as a comprehensive research university and our unwavering commitment to discovery, innovation, access and academic excellence,” Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said. “To achieve this milestone within the first 20 years of existence is a testament to the dedication and vision of our faculty, staff, students and supporters, who have worked tirelessly to advance research, scholarship and the reputation of UC Merced and the Central Valley.”
An R1 designation affirms the strength of an institution's research enterprise and reinforces its role as a hub for innovation, workforce development and public good. It also unlocks new opportunities for cutting-edge research by expanding funding opportunities and amplifying the global impact of the scholarly work undertaken at UC Merced.
“I’m extremely proud of all that UC Merced has achieved in just 20 years,” UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D said. “Attaining R1 classification is a tremendous accomplishment and a resounding affirmation of the dedication and excellence of the campus’ leadership and esteemed faculty. Scientific discoveries and cures powered by University of California researchers have global impact, from mitigating wildfire risk and developing solutions for a climate-resilient California to saving lives through vital cancer research and treatment.”
UC Merced plans to use its new status as a recruitment tool for more high-quality faculty members and as a draw for prospective students.
“As an R1 institution, and part of the University of California, UC Merced will become an even more desirable destination for faculty, improving our ability to bring together world-class researchers and professors to best serve our students, our community and California,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Betsy Dumont.
Vice Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Economic Development Gillian Wilson cited the culture of academic excellence that has taken root at UC Merced. “Receiving the R1 designation is testament to the collective efforts of many people over many years and further validates UC Merced’s commitment to expand educational opportunities and drive social and economic progress in one of California’s most underserved areas,” Wilson said
Since admitting its first graduate students in 2004, UC Merced has conferred nearly 900 doctorate degrees. Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Hrant Hratchian said being named an R1 institution will be a windfall for graduate students.
“Achieving R1 status will elevate the experience of our graduate students by enhancing access to frontier research and scholarly excellence,” Hratchian said. “As part of an R1 institution, our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars will be well-positioned to earn even more competitive awards and build strong professional networks which will secure their career prospects in academia, industry and beyond.”
The Carnegie Classification is the leading framework for organizing and categorizing U.S. institutions of higher education and was first published by the Carnegie Foundation in 1973.
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