Desiree Lopez

A generous gift from UC Merced alumnus Eric Chen, Ph.D., ’11, and his wife, Joanne Hsu, to establish a new scholarship is advancing the university’s efforts to encourage and support students pursuing medical studies and training in the Central Valley.

Scholarship funding — which includes contributions from the Chen Family Foundation and Chen’s employer, Megaforce International Corporation — will benefit promising UC Merced undergraduates enrolled in the campus’s Bachelor of Science to Medical Degree (BS to MD) program, which is scheduled to launch in Fall 2023.

UC Merced was recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for producing the most Gilman recipients over the past 20 years in the following category: Medium Institution, 20-year Gilman Top Producer.

Eighty-two students from UC Merced have been selected for Gilman awards since 2009.

California Natural Resources Sec. Wade Crowfoot joined UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and local leaders today (Nov. 2) to discuss the university-led research on drought, fire and broader climate resilience.

UC Merced’s commitment to the success of Latino students has been recognized with the prestigious Seal of Excelencia.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded UC Merced’s Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) five grants totaling more than $6.9 million for its Talent Search program.

The program aims to increase the number of youths from disadvantaged backgrounds to continue their post-secondary education.

Distinguished UC Merced Director of Medical Education and public health Professor Dr. Thelma Hurd has been appointed the inaugural Thondapu Family Endowed Chair in Medical Education.

“I am both gratified and honored,” said Hurd. “It is truly an important step in establishing a long-term medical education program on the campus and for the community.”

The recent takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban forces has caused many Afghans to flee their homes searching for asylum.

Responding to the urgency of the current situation in Afghanistan, UC Merced’s Center for the Humanities has joined the rest of the UC campuses in starting a campaign to help Scholars at Risk (SAR) save the lives of scholars in the region, as well as in other turbulent areas of the world.

As one of the most diverse universities in the country, UC Merced is devoted to continuing to provide an inclusive academic environment for all.

The University of California, Merced, continues its historic climb in the venerable US News & World Report rankings of U.S. universities, with the 2022 list released this morning.

UC Merced remains in the top 100, rising to 93rd among national universities — up 72 spots over four years. The campus is 38th among public universities and 18th among R2 universities.

Today (Sept. 7), UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz and Mayor Matt Serratto met with Secretary Lourdes M. Castro Ramírez of the California State Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency to discuss ways to add more affordable housing developments in Merced and throughout the region.