Chancellor’s Office

Former Gov. Gray Davis Awarded Chancellor’s Medal for Transformative Leadership in Bringing UC Merced to the Central Valley

February 24, 2026

UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sanchez Munoz and Governor Gray Davis pose with the Chancellor's Medal

At an intimate gathering of supporters, UC Merced awarded former Gov. Gray Davis the Chancellor’s Medal — the university’s highest honor — in recognition of his instrumental role in bringing the 10th University of California campus to Merced. The medal was presented...

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the opening of the first three buildings of the Merced 2020 Project.

Moving In: First Buildings of Massive Expansion Open to Students

Less than two years after breaking ground on its unprecedented campus expansion, the University of California, Merced, last week celebrated the opening of the first three buildings of the Merced 2020...

Vice Chancellor Ed Klotzbier, Monique de Villa (’16), Danielle Armedilla (’12), and Chancellor Dorothy Leland

Alumnae Staff Members Honor Family With Endowed Scholarships

In creating scholarships to help future generations of Bobcats succeed, UC Merced staff members and alumnae Monique de Villa (’16) and Danielle Armedilla (’12) are cementing the legacy...

Chancellor Dorothy Leland and Berkeley Lab Director Michael Witherell sign MOU agreement on a white table.

Chancellor Inks Deal with Berkeley Lab to Promote Collaboration

At a ceremony held earlier today, UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Director Michael Witherell signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a...

Berkeley Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky speaking with students.

Berkeley Law Dean Speaks Up for Free Speech

People on college campuses hold a wide range of views, and the First Amendment gives everyone the right to express their opinions. But restricting speech at a public institution — even when...

Berkeley Law Dean to Visit Campus for Talk on Free Speech

When does freedom of speech cross the line and become hate speech? What’s considered protected speech? And, how do universities strike the delicate balance between allowing individuals or...

After Nearly Two Decades, Associate Vice Chancellor to Retire

After nearly 20 years, Jan Mendenhall has announced her retirement from UC Merced. Mendenhall, who currently serves as Associate Vice Chancellor for Development and Executive Director for the UC...

Chancellor First in Speaker Series Promoting UC Merced Women

Chancellor Dorothy Leland will be the first speaker in a new series, “Women We Admire,” which features women who work on campus. The series, presented by The Chancellor’s Advisory...

Chancellor Dorothy Leland addresses staff members during last year's convocation.

Academic Year Kicks Off With Faculty, Staff Convocations

UC Merced faculty and staff members are invited to start the 2017-18 academic year at Faculty Convocation and Staff Convocation. Staff Convocation will take place from 9-10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 18,...