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Our past has been remarkable, and we know our future is brighter still.

 

UC Merced Chancellor, Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz

Dr. Juan Sánchez Muñoz assumed his role as UC Merced’s fourth chancellor on July 1, 2020, coming to UC from the University of Houston-Downtown, where he served as president since 2017. Having achieved his Bachelor's in Psychology at UC Santa Barbara and his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction at UCLA, Muñoz’s move to UC Merced is a return to his California upbringing and academic roots. 

During his first year as chancellor, Muñoz has set the university's course for the next decade with an ambitious strategic plan that focuses on growth, impact and equity and justice. Muñoz was named the recipient of the 2020 Cesar Estrada Chavez Award from the American Association for Access, Equity and Diversity for leadership on workers' rights and humanitarian issues, and in December 2020, Muñoz was appointed to the California Strategic Growth Council and currently serves with his wife, Dr. Zenaida Aguirre-Muñoz, as a council member for the Yosemite Conservancy.

chancellor munoz headshot

Chancellor's Priorities

Writing and Remarks

December 8, 2025

A Historic Gift

Friends, I am profoundly excited to share that UC Merced has received a second major gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, an extraordinary reaffirmation of... Read More

October 24, 2025

UC Merced at 20: The Dream is Real

Dear Bobcat Community... Read More

News

Kevin Arrieta is pictured speaking to an electrical engineering class at UC Merced.
January 6, 2026

Kevin Arrieta got into robotics to avoid getting into trouble. Arrieta said he joined the robotics club at his Compton high school after the teacher who ran it gave him an ultimatum. "I had gotten in...

January 6, 2026

UC Merced women's soccer star Trinidad Quiroz has signed with Necaxa Femenil of Liga BBVA MX Femenil. Quiroz is the first Bobcat to sign a contract with the highest level of women's football in...

Student speaker at 2024 UC Merced Fall Commencement
December 22, 2025
Hundreds of UC Merced graduate candidates gathered with friends and family Dec. 19-20 for Fall Commencement. Ceremonies were held for the Graduate Division and the university’s three schools.
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