Academic Distinction

20 Years In, UC Merced Celebrates Achievements, Looks to Future

October 23, 2025

Only 20 years since undergraduate instruction began, UC Merced is a recognized leader in conducting academic research, developing young minds for career success and driving economic growth, the university’s chancellor said Wednesday. Speaking to a gathering of campus and community...

Graduating students walk pass UC Merced sign

2023: A Look Back

2023 was a remarkable year in which UC Merced experienced tremendous growth and acclaim. Several milestones were reached, setting up the university to continue thriving in the near future and beyond...

Local high school students participate in a chemistry demonstration at UC Merced.

UC Merced-led Regional Education Collaborative Awarded $18.1 Million in State Funds

An education and workforce collaborative spearheaded by UC Merced and composed of partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties was awarded $18.1 million by the California Department of...

Students work at computers at UC Merced.

UC Merced Classes Score High Marks in Global Ranking

UC Merced had several subjects in social science, natural science and engineering placed in the top tiers of the annual Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) released by ShanghaiRanking...

UC Merced Named Fulbright HSI Leader by the U.S. Department of State

UC Merced has been designated a Fulbright Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Leader for 2023 by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Each...

Campus and Academic Growth Highlighted in UC Merced State of the University Address

Distinguished rankings, new academic offerings, world-class research and campus expansions were among the highlights of the UC Merced State of the University address delivered by Chancellor Juan...

UC Merced Receives 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award

UC Merced has received the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education...

Anne Zanzucchi leads a discussion of rhetoric in a writing class at UC Merced.

UC Merced Launches First Writing Studies Major Cohort

Writing is still the most important, and most-used, form of communication in the world. "Writing is crucial in that it's both a product and a process. It's in the fabric of what we do...

The annual Shakespeare in Yosemite production is just one avenue for environmental humanities students to get involved.

New Major Trains Students to Tell the Planet’s Urgent Stories

Compelling storytelling is vital to ensuring the action needed to secure a habitable planet for future generations, according to an increasing amount of research. UC Merced is recruiting students...

Students are shown on Scholars Bridge at UC Merced

UC Merced Rises Nearly 40 Spots in U.S. News College Rankings

UC Merced's commitment to student success continues to earn national recognition as the university climbed to No. 60 - up from No. 97 last year - in U.S. News & World Report's list of...

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