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 on Education (ACE), on whose Board of Directors I am honored to serve. The ACE 2026 Experience (ACEx2026) brought together higher education leaders and policy experts from across the country to examine the current landscape of higher education, including the impact of federal policy changes on funding, academic freedom, the preservation of institutional autonomy, and other issues of critical importance to our sector.
Being present at these conversations is essential. It allows us to affirm the foundational principles that sustain higher education while engaging collaboratively on how we can strengthen our enterprise and maintain the confidence and support of the
American public. The convening was a resounding success and a powerful reaffirmation of the vital role colleges and universities play in preparing the next generation of leaders who will carry forward America’s legacy of innovation, prosperity, and civic strength.
At ACEx2026 higher education leaders were also collectively working to reinforce the understanding of our value to the country and the world. To support this effort, ACE has commissioned a Higher Education Builds America campaign and aired a new video, which highlights in concrete terms the positive and wide impact American colleges and universities, along with their students, faculty and staff, and alumni, have across all corners of our nation.
Second, I spent time on Capitol Hill meeting with our federal representatives and other policymakers committed to the success of higher education—and to the continued advancement of the University of California, Merced. I am pleased to report that our institution and the outstanding work of our faculty, staff, and students continue to be recognized nationally and at the highest levels of government.
In close collaboration with our federal senators and representatives, the University of California Office of Federal Government Relations, and through the dedicated efforts of Assistant Chancellor and Chief of Staff Cori Lucero, UC Merced has been awarded a remarkable federal appropriation of $3.5 million to support our medical education initiatives. This request, developed in partnership with Director of Medical Education, Dr. Margo Vener, and the resulting appropriation was one of the largest non-infrastructure federal awards in the region and signals strong and growing support for this transformative undertaking.
The future medical education building will not only advance clinical training but will also house critical academic programs in psychology, biology, chemistry laboratories, and other core disciplines. As a result, this investment will generate broad benefits across multiple academic programs, research initiatives, and opportunities for both faculty and students.
Both the national conversations at ACE and the federal support for our medical education initiatives reflect the growing recognition of UC Merced’s role as a catalyst for opportunity and progress. UC Merced now generates more than $1 billion annually in economic impact in the San Joaquin Valley, supports thousands of jobs, and strengthens the communities we serve, and we will continue to do so.
I remain deeply committed to advocating on behalf of UC Merced and will continue working to secure opportunities and resources that advance our mission and strengthen our campus community. I look forward to sharing further positive updates on our momentum in the months ahead.
Fiat Lux and Go ’Cats,
Juan Sánchez Muñoz
Chancellor
Images:
Upper Right: Madera County Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff and Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13) and Chancellor Muñoz
Lower Left: Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Chancellor Muñoz
