Leadership

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...

Provost Betsy Dumont. Quote: What can we do to set up UC Merced for where it wants to be in 20 years?

Curiosity and Care: Betsy Dumont's Path to UC Merced Provost

In a thick rainforest in Papua New Guinea, they're tracking bats. Researchers glue radio transmitters to the creatures’ little, furry bodies, then wait. And wait. When a bat flits...

Women honored at Womyn Luncheon at UC Merced

7 Women Honored for Impact on UC Merced Community

Seven extraordinary women from UC Merced were honored Monday at the Womyn’s Luncheon, an event hosted by the Division of Equity, Justice, & Inclusive Excellence. The event, held during...

Christopher L. Adams served as the campus’s lead architect and master planner.

Remembering UC Merced’s Founding Planner and Chief Architect Christopher L. Adams (1937-2023)

Christopher L. Adams, who left an indelible mark on UC Merced through his significant contributions as the campus’s lead architect and master planner, passed away on August 11, 2023, in...

HACU Leadership Cohort an ‘Exciting Opportunity to Learn,’ Ortiz Says

Physiology Professor Rudy M.Ortiz has been named a Fellow in this year's cohort of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities’ Leadership Academy (La Academia de Liderazgo...

Most of the Universe Composed of Dark Energy, Researchers Show

A UC Merced researcher and her teammates around the world have succeeded in measuring the total amount of matter in the universe for the second time. A new paper in the Astrophysical Journal,...

Zulema Valdez Appointed Associate Vice Chancellor for EJIE

Zulema Valdez has been selected as UC Merced’s associate vice chancellor for Equity, Justice and Inclusive Excellence (EJIE). In making the announcement, Vice Chancellor and Chief Diversity...

The UC Merced astrophysicists with the Keck Observatory behind them

Astrophysics Researchers Present their Work at Hawaiian Observatory

A delegation of dignitaries from the University of California Office of the President, UC Merced and UCLA were recently treated to a presentation that included the astrophysicists from UC Merced at...

Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and Professor Teenie Matlock at the dedication of Toloma Grove.

Matlock Retires After Stellar UC Career

In the early days of building UC Merced, founding faculty member Teenie Matlock took on lots of tasks that were well outside her job description. Over the years, she expanded her service to the...

UC Merced graduate student Josiah Beharry appointed as 2024-25 UC student Regent

The University of California Board of Regents has appointed University of California, Merced graduate student Josiah Beharry to be the 2024-25 student Regent. Beharry is the 50th student...