Chancellor

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...

Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Interim Chancellor Nathan Brostrom hosted a rally at the National Voter Registration and Census Festival.

UC Merced Hosts Voter Registration and Census Festival, Welcomes Padilla

UC Merced hosted the National Voter Registration and Census Festival Monday, with more than 200 students registering for next year’s election. The university partnered with the Latino...

Celebrate Hispanic Culture, Heritage and Education

Mid-September through mid-October is National Hispanic Heritage Month, and today marks the start of Hispanic Serving Institutions Week, too. UC Merced offers free events and programming to observe...

UC Merced has risen 61 spots in the overall U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings in the past two years.

UC Merced Takes Another Giant Leap in U.S. News Rankings

The fastest-growing public research university in the nation is the fastest-rising university in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings. The University of California Merced,...

New Batch of Bobcats Celebrate Welcome Week

UC Merced welcomed the largest incoming class to campus over the past week, as more than 2,000 first-year and transfer students took part in Welcome Week festivities. Throughout the weekend,...

Outgoing Chancellor Dorothy Leland cut the ribbon to signify the opening of the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project.

UC Merced Unveils Second Phase of Merced 2020 Project, Says Thank You to Leland

Two simple words, “Leland Legacy,” captured the significance of Wednesday’s opening event for the second phase of the Merced 2020 Project, an event that doubled as a goodbye and...

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Merced 2020 Project

Chancellor Leland’s Lasting Legacy

UC Merced has celebrated a number of milestones and achievements in Chancellor Leland’s eight years on campus. Here are 10 of her greatest hits, as compiled by the Division of External...

Dr. Art Kamangar and Calvin E. Bright - represented by his daughter Carol Bright Tougas - were honored with the Chancellor's Medal last week.

Two Longtime University Supporters Honored With Chancellor’s Medals

Dr. Art Kamangar and Calvin E. Bright have been invaluable in the development of UC Merced since before the campus opened its doors. To commemorate their philanthropy and outstanding service, this...

Chancellor Dorothy Leland was recognized as the Merced Chamber of Commerce's Woman of the Year earlier this month.

Chancellor Leland Recognized as Woman of the Year

The Merced Chamber of Commerce has named Chancellor Dorothy Leland their 2019 Woman of the Year. Leland was honored at a ceremony earlier this month. The chamber credited Leland’s leadership...

UC Merced debuted at No. 4 among U.S. universities in the 2019 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings.

UC Merced Ranked One of the Top Young Universities in U.S.

UC Merced continues to build on its reputation as a world-class research university, debuting at No. 4 among U.S. universities in the 2019 Times Higher Education Young University Rankings released...