Chancellor

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...

Campus Marks Largest Class, Year of Growth With 2017 Commencement

More than 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students are expected to participate in the University of California, Merced’s 12th commencement ceremonies this weekend — its largest class since opening...

National Book Award Winner to Give Talk on Racism

Ibram X. Kendi, one of the nation’s most prolific and accomplished young professors of race, is this spring’s guest speaker as part of the Chancellor’s Dialogue on Diversity and Interdisciplinarity...

Event Celebrates Generosity of Donors

Campus friends and supporters were recognized for their charitable spirit at UC Merced’s third annual Celebration of Philanthropic Leaders event, held on campus March 25. During a reception on the...

Pulitzer Winner, HP Executive to Speak at Commencement Ceremonies

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Héctor Tobar and HP Inc. Chief Diversity Officer Lesley Slaton Brown are the keynote speakers for the University of California, Merced’s 12th commencement...

In-State Demand for UC Merced Admission Hits a Record High

The University of California, Merced, received more than 18,000 applications from California high school seniors seeking admission for Fall 2017 — a 10.1 percent increase from the previous year, or...

Message From Chancellor Leland on Student Jennifer Mendiola

The following message from Chancellor Dorothy Leland was sent to the campus community today, Dec. 7: Dear UC Merced Campus Community, It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I write today to...

UC Merced Kicks Off Historic $1.3 Billion Expansion

The University of California, Merced, today broke ground on the largest expansion project in campus history. The four-year Merced 2020 Project will add approximately 1.2 million gross square feet of...

Campus Set to Break Ground on Major Expansion

The symbolic beginning to UC Merced’s next phase of growth happens Friday, Oct. 14, when the university holds a groundbreaking ceremony for the Merced 2020 Project. The ceremony, led by Chancellor...

Rising Student Demand Drives UC Merced Enrollment Growth

The University of California, Merced, enters its 12th academic year with a record-breaking incoming class, signifying strong demand for the newest campus in the UC system. “More and more students are...