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 Promise Pathway Program.

With an initial goal of attracting 100 qualified LACCD transfer students to UC Merced by the end of 2025, this partnership establishes a clear pathway for LACCD students to prepare for admission.Through the Merced Promise Pathway Program, LACCD students will have a well-defined route that prepares them to attend UC Merced. They will have an opportunity to engage with UC Merced students and faculty through activities such as cross-enrollment classes and summer research projects.

“Today, we mark the beginning of an exciting and transformative partnership between Los Angeles Community College District and UC Merced. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to educational equity, workforce development and the future of our communities,” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. “For many of our students, especially those who may be the first in their families to pursue higher education, the journey to earning a four-year degree can seem daunting. But with this partnership, that journey becomes more certain.”

"This partnership with UC Merced is a critical step in expanding educational pathways that provide our students with greater opportunities for upward social mobility. By forging strong connections between community colleges and the UC system, we are ensuring that students from underserved communities have access to high-quality education and the support they need to succeed,” said LACCD Chancellor Francisco C. Rodriguez, Ph.D. “Together, we are building a more equitable future, where all students, regardless of their background, can achieve their academic and professional aspirations."

“This MOU with UC Merced opens doors that many of our students once thought were out of reach. By creating a seamless pathway from community college to the University of California system, we are transforming lives,” said LACCD Board President Nichelle Henderson. “These opportunities will not only enhance students’ academic journeys but also empower them to pursue careers and futures they never imagined possible. It's a game changer for our communities, especially for those who have historically been underserved."

LACCD first-year students who applied to UC Merced as high school seniors but were not granted admission at the time will be prime candidates for program participation. Creating this union with the nation’s largest community college district will lead to further accessibility for the youngest UC campus.  

“We are opening doors to new possibilities for the 210,000 students who attend the nine colleges at LACCD,” Muñoz said. “Whether you are a Husky, a Cub, a Seahawk, an Eagle, a Brahma Bull, a Cougar, a Beaver, a Monarch or a Wildcat, you are all welcome to become Bobcats and join the culture of student success that has taken root at UC Merced.”