Dear Faculty and Staff,
As we move into summer, I want to take a moment to reflect on a remarkable few weeks for our campus and to share a few highlights from recent travels and engagements that underscore UC Merced’s growing impact locally, nationally, and globally.
Celebrating the Class of 2026
We capped off the academic year with a truly memorable commencement weekend. UC Merced celebrated its largest graduating class in campus history—including the first graduates of our honors program—a milestone that speaks to the continued growth and success of our university. I was especially proud to hear from our accomplished alumni commencement speakers, whose stories reflected the talent, resilience, and purpose that define the Bobcat community. To the faculty and staff volunteers who made the weekend possible, thank you again for helping create such a meaningful celebration.
Learning from Global Climate Leaders in Copenhagen
Immediately following commencement, UC Merced joined a delegation that included UC Regents, colleagues from the UC Office of the President, and leaders from several UC campuses as part of the UC Global Climate Leadership Council. Together, we traveled to Copenhagen to learn from the Danish government and industry energy experts about the country’s transition to clean district energy systems.
What stood out most was the scalability of these systems and what can be accomplished when a nation commits collectively to a long-term clean energy strategy and invests accordingly. The visit offered valuable insights as we continue advancing UC Merced’s own sustainability and climate goals.
Advancing the Mission of Hispanic-Serving Research Universities
At the beginning of June, several of us attended the 2026 Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities (HSRU) Summit. I had the opportunity to speak on a panel alongside University of Texas at El Paso President Taylor Eighmy and UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cindy Larive about the unique strengths of HSI-designated R1 research institutions.
Our conversation focused on the advantages we have as universities that combine world-class undergraduate education with impactful graduate training, and research that is globally, regionally, and locally relevant.
I was honored to be invited to join the Board of Directors and to work alongside national leaders who are helping demonstrate, now more than ever, how vital undergraduate and graduate education is to our economy, workforce, and society.
K-12 Outreach and Engagement
This summer, our campus will host a number of K–12 academic and enrichment camps and programs, bringing many new young
people and families to campus for the first time. Serving as a host venue for these types of programs is vital to our mission of engagement and service.
I had the pleasure of personally visiting with a group of students attending the inaugural "Reach for the Stars" STEM Academy, which we hope will spark their imagination about scientific fields and inquiry and, ideally, inspire them to pursue that curiosity as future students at UC Merced.
Strengthening Partnerships
To ensure the continued rigor and relevance of our research enterprise, last week I traveled to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), where the UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees held its June meeting. During the visit, I joined LLNL Director Kim Budil for a Q&A session focused on the growing opportunities for collaboration between our two institutions followed by a historic signing of a “Strategic Partnership Agreement” that will bring our research interests and activities into greater deliberate alignment. I look forward to sharing more in the months ahead as our partnership continues to develop.
Speaking of strengthening partnerships, a small team from UC Merced had the opportunity to visit with leaders at Nvidia headquarters in Santa Clara to explore the possibility of harnessing both its hardware and network of scientists and engineers to help advance the research, education, and service mission of our campus. I was sincerely encouraged by their deep and authentic interest in working specifically with our campus in the Central Valley given the population we serve in the communities we hope to uplift as a research university.
Looking Ahead
It has been a full and rewarding few weeks, and the summer ahead promises to be just as active. I am grateful for the dedication and excellence each of you brings to UC Merced every day. Your work continues to elevate our campus and expand our impact across the state, the nation, and the world.
Fiat Lux and Go ‘Cats!
Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D.
Chancellor
Images:
Banner: As part of the UC Global Climate Leadership Council, UC Merced leadership joined UC Regents and leaders from across the UC system in Copenhagen to explore Denmark’s innovative clean district energy systems and learn from government and industry experts leading the transition.
Upper Right: Chancellor Muñoz confers degree upon a SSHA student.
Middle Right: Chancellor Muñoz speaking on a panel at the HSRU Summit alongside University of Texas at El Paso President Taylor Eighmy and UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cindy Larive about the unique strengths of HSI-designated R1 research institutions.
Lower Left: Chancellor Muñoz visiting with a group of students attending our inaugural Reach for the Stars STEM Academy.
