UC Merced Magazine | Volume XIX, Issue VII

I t is with tremendous excitement that I welcome you to the spring 2025 issue of UC Merced Magazine, where we celebrate a milestone achievement in our university’s history and one that helps lay the foundation for an even brighter future. In less than 20 years, UC Merced attained R1 Carnegie Classification, a prestigious recognition reserved for institutions with the highest levels of research activity. This is a profound achievement for our faculty, students, staff and the communities we serve in the Central Valley and beyond. An article in this issue details the journey to this milestone. The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education designates universities as R1 based on rigorous criteria, including research expenditures and doctoral degrees conferred. With this designation, our university joins the ranks of a small group of less than 10% of the nation’s top research institutions, unlocking new opportunities for funding, partnerships and academic excellence. More importantly, it reaffirms our commitment to advancing knowledge, driving innovation and shaping the future through cutting-edge research in the Central Valley. This is a moment of looking forward, but it is also a moment to reflect on what we have achieved and where we are right now. In less than two decades, UC Merced has established itself among the top research universities in the country and, increasingly, the world.

MESSAGE FROM THE CHANCELLOR

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our world-class faculty, the curiosity and ambition of our amazing students, the professionalism of our committed staff, and the unwavering support of our alumni and community partners. While we celebrate this milestone, we recognize it as a renewed call to action. We must continue to leverage our strengths, drive research that addresses real-world challenges, and remain steadfast in our mission of access, inclusion and excellence. As we embark on this exciting new chapter, we invite you to join

Chancellor and Rufus Bobcat wish Bobcats a good year.

us in celebrating this transformational moment and recognizing what we have built together. This issue of UC Merced Magazine highlights the research being undertaken at our campus that benefits our community, our state and the world. With our new recognition, these opportunities will only continue to grow.

Fiat Lux, Juan Sánchez Muñoz, Ph.D. Chancellor

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