UC Merced Poised to Go Further, Chancellor Says in State of the University Address

How do you take a university further?

For UC Merced’s chancellor, the answer starts with record-setting enrollment and extends to student opportunities, strong community connections, and new homes for students, academics and research, along with an ever-growing national reputation.

Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz pointed to the future and celebrated the university’s people and achievements in his annual State of the University address Oct. 21 before a gathering of UC Merced Foundation trustees, elected officials and members of the campus community.

Transferring from Community College to UC Merced Just Got Easier

A new agreement will provide a seamless transition for community college students across the state to continue their education at UC Merced - with money to help pay for it.

The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office, in partnership with UC Merced, announced the university is now participating in the Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program.

Camp Provides Growth Opportunities, Connection with Livermore Lab

Joshua Edmon-Macias spent two weeks trying to figure out what was wrong with a small 3D-printed aerospace part.

"They didn't tell us what they are used for," said Edmon-Macias, a recent graduate of UC Merced. "We just know that on the inside they're not solid and there's a repeated pattern on the inside. … They are asking us to define the systems to see the defects that are inside the part."

UC Merced, Kern High School District Partner to Offer Guaranteed Admission, Scholarships

UC Merced and the Kern High School District have partnered to provide eligible students with a clear pathway to guaranteed admission to the university through the Merced Automatic Admission Program, or MAAP.

The partnership was announced during a KHSD Board of Trustees meeting, where UC Merced leaders outlined the program and the admission and scholarship opportunities available to participating students. KHSD is one of 51 school districts across California connecting eligible students with UC Merced through MAAP.

UC Merced Pilots Summer Investment Academy to Help Students Build Skills, Connections

Key points:

  • UC Merced launched the Summer Investment Academy to help students build financial literacy, professional networks and pathways into finance careers before their first semester.

  • Participants explored investing, entrepreneurship, personal finance and venture capital through hands-on instruction and mentorship from finance professionals.

  • The academy builds on the success of the UC Investments Academy, which has engaged more than 4,500 students across the University of California system.

Record Enrollment Signals Growing Demand for UC Merced

UC Merced is welcoming the largest class in university history this fall, as record numbers of first-year and transfer students propel total enrollment to an all-time high of 9,647 students. 

The university’s enrollment grew by 704 students, a nearly 8% increase from last fall. This surpasses the previous record of 9,148, set in Fall 2023. 

Even more striking is the growth among new students. UC Merced welcomed 3,157 new students this fall — an increase of 748 students, or 31%, from last year’s 2,409. The previous record for new students was 2,678, set in Fall 2021. 

Bustling Campus Greets Students for UC Merced’s 21st Academic Year

The growing energy across campus is palpable as UC Merced prepares for its 21st academic year. Fall semester instruction begins Wednesday, Aug. 26, furthering the mission of one of the nation’s top public research universities to provide knowledge and opportunity to a vibrant and diverse student body.

Orientation sessions and move-in days for on-campus student residents began the week of Aug. 17, leading a slate of welcome-to-campus activities.

Early Ambition, Hard Work Lead to Graduating UC Merced at 19

A few months ago, Adesh Johal wanted to join Patti LiWang's research group.

"At the time, he was loaded up on credits so it didn't seem like he would have enough time to get much done in lab," said LiWang, a professor of molecular biology at UC Merced.

Merced Native Sets Sights on Career in Veterinary Medicine

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester.

Driven by a passion for animal care, incoming biological sciences major student Esperanza Garcia is already well on her way toward a future in veterinary medicine.

Dublin High Grad Drawn to UC Merced’s Growth and Potential

This is part of a series of profiles of new UC Merced Bobcats enrolled for the fall 2026 semester.

Incoming UC Merced student Shrihan Lakinana is bringing a growth mindset, a passion for engineering and a deep appreciation for community to the Bobcat experience.