Chancellor

The American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation Recognize UC Merced's Leadership in Community Engagement

January 12, 2026

collage of photo with yellow text on a blue background reading Carnegie Elective Reclassification for Community Engagement

UC Merced has once again been recognized as a national leader in community-engaged scholarship. The 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement affirms the university’s deep and expanding commitment to serving the public. The designation from the American Council on...

uc merced chancellor munoz state of university speech

University’s Strength Lies in Opportunities for Social Mobility, Chancellor Says

UC Merced is being recognized from coast to coast as an institution that “redefines academic excellence, Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz said Wednesday in the annual State of the University...

UC Merced Unveils Big Rufus, a Monument to Resilience, Diversity and Hope

UC Merced on Wednesday unveiled a striking monument to a university on the rise. A crowd of students, faculty and staff gathered in the early evening’s long shadows at University Plaza to...

Five males standing in a conference room

UC Merced, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority Sign Partnership that Opens Exciting Opportunities

A new five-year pilot study to place solar panels on the water in the Delta-Mendota Canal is just the beginning of a formal working relationship between UC Merced and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota...

Representatives from LACCD and UC Merced present at memorandum of understanding signing

UC Merced and LACCD Forge New Transfer Pathway to Boost Student Access, Success

A memorandum of understanding signed between University of California, Merced, and the Los Angeles Community College District this week will extend access for transfer students through the Merced...

It’s a ‘Welcome’ Party at UC Merced Scholars Bridge Crossing

UC Merced said “welcome” to its 2,400 new students Tuesday as only UC Merced can, with a joyous and colorful Scholars Bridge Crossing ceremony that symbolizes their transformation into...

UC Merced VC of Student Affairs Charles Nies with students

Lighting the Path: Thank You and Farewell to Charles Nies

It’s spring break 2009 and Jane Lawrence is rushing across campus, the words from the phone call still ringing in her ear. The unimaginable is happening and she must tell Charles Nies...

A student is congratulated by Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz on the commencement stage.

More Than 1,300 Bobcats Will Cross the Stage During UC Merced Commencement Weekend

More than 1,300 students plan to participate in UC Merced's Spring 2024 Commencement, celebrated with three distinct ceremonies on the campus's Recreation Field. The first ceremony...

UC Merced's Professor Valerie Leppert at Bobcat Day

Thousands Enjoy a Big ‘Welcome’ at Bobcat Day

Fernando Malagon and his mom stood at the head of a line for guided tours of the university he plans to attend this fall. The informational stroll around UC Merced would be more for her than for him...

UC Merced Welcomes Future Bobcats for Bobcat Day

UC Merced will host incoming students, their families and friends on Saturday, April 20, for Bobcat Day - the university's annual open house. Bobcat Day will begin at 9:15 a.m. with a...