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

March 20, 2026

Research, Recognition, and the Power of Community at UC Merced

To the Campus Community, As I reflect on the vibrant activity taking place on our campus this month and in the weeks to come, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and... Read More

March 4, 2026

National Conversations, Local Impact: An Update from Washington

Dear Campus Community, Last week, I was in our nation’s capital with two important objectives. First, I participated in the annual convening of the American Council... Read More

News

Professor Ross Greer is pictured with five students and an autonomous model car in his lab at UC Merced.
May 6, 2026

Road changes such as lane shifts, new signs and speed-limit modifications can be confusing to drivers, both human and mechanical. A human driver can quickly perceive and understand new or...

Students from UC Merced writing class gather at table at Merced Multicultural Arts Center
May 4, 2026

Students in a UC Merced course stepped off campus and into the real world, developing flyers, website pages and even a TikTok account for a downtown arts center. Staff at the center became clients...

Leah Stokes, a political scientist, energy expert and climate communicator from UC Santa Barbara, speaks from the stage at UC Merced.
May 1, 2026

It's time to think bigger about mitigating climate change. Measures such as recycling, turning off lights and reducing energy use are great, but making a real impact is going to take systemic change...

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