Dear Campus Community,
It is with immense pride and excitement that I share a historic achievement. Earlier today UC Merced was officially designated an R1 University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. This prestigious distinction places UC Merced among the nation’s top-tier research universities, recognizing our unwavering commitment to discovery, innovation and academic excellence.
When I arrived in 2020, achieving R1 status had been a long-standing goal of our university with the expectation of achieving this distinction sometime in the next decade. In 2016, UC Merced was the fastest university in history to reach the R2 milestone, and now, attaining R1 status within our first 20 years reasserts our exceptional momentum. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and vision of our faculty, staff, students and supporters, who have worked tirelessly to advance the research, scholarship and reputation of UC Merced.
The R1 classification is based on rigorous criteria, including research activity and the number of doctoral degrees conferred. Less than 10% of the nation’s eligible public and private colleges and universities claim the R1 designation. This accomplishment reflects the incredible work happening across our campus and further solidifies UC Merced’s role as a driving force for innovation, progress and prosperity. With this announcement, UC Merced is the only R1 university in the Central Valley of California.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Gillian Wilson and her team in the Office of Research and Economic Development (ORED) and Dr. Kurt Schnier and his team in Division of Finance and Administration (DFA) for their leadership in helping our institution reach this pinnacle of research excellence. I also want to recognize Dr. Hrant Hratchian, Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies, and the members of the Graduate Division, who have helped to confer more than 800 doctoral degrees.
A special thank you to Dr. Marjorie Zatz, who served as Dean of Graduate Studies, Interim Vice Chancellor of Research, and Interim Provost, former Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff Dr. Luanna Putney, and former Provost Dr. Gregg Camfield for their role in helping UC Merced’s ascent to R1 status. Their combined contributions to this accomplishment cannot be overstated.
Moving forward, this milestone will unlock new opportunities for cutting-edge research and elevate our academic programs. Whether at the undergraduate or graduate level, students will be at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries that shape the future of our region, state, country and beyond. For faculty and researchers, this achievement affirms the strength of our research enterprise and will expand funding opportunities, foster collaborative partnerships and amplify the global impact of their scholarly work.
As an R1 institution, I look forward to continuing to work with Provost Betsy Dumont to enhance the growing reputation and value of a UC Merced degree, and to strengthen our ability to forge influential partnerships with industry, government agencies and academic institutions worldwide. Our entrance to the rare grouping of R1 institutions also reinforces our impact as a nexus for innovation, workforce development, public good and community engagement. Later this semester, we will appropriately celebrate this milestone together as a community.
Thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey. Together, we will continue to reach new heights.
Fiat Lux,
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
