In October 2025, the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor established a Steering Committee to oversee UC Merced's re-affirmation of accreditation by the WSCUC. The Steering Committee will hold its inaugural meeting on October 23, 2025, and anticipates meeting bimonthly during the academic year.
The charge to the Steering Committee is available here. The Committee's membership follows. Please check back for more information about the Committee's activities. (Last updated October 15, 2025)
WSCUC Steering Committee for Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Faculty
Heather Bortfeld, Professor, Psychology, SSHA1, Steering Committee Chair and SSHA Representative
Harish Bhat, Professor, Applied Mathematics, SNS2, Graduate Council Representative
Pooja Chopra, Lecturer, SoE3, Non-Senate Academics Council Representative
Mukesh Singhal, Professor, Electrical Engineering, SoE, Representative
Brian Utter, Teaching Professor, Physics, SNS, Representative
Susan Varnot, Associate Teaching Professor, Writing Studies, SSHA, Undergraduate Council Representative
Administration
Amy Bergerson, Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education
Hrant Hratchian, Vice Provost and Dean for Graduate Education
Christiane Spitzmueller, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Strategy
Tonantzin Oseguera, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Engagement
Kurt Schnier, Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer
Delia Saenz, Vice Chancellor, Equity, Justice and Inclusive Excellence
Sara Davidson Squibb, Associate University Librarian
Laura Martin, Accreditation Liaison Officer
Students
Metzli Montero, Materials and Biomaterials Science and Engineering, GSA Representative
Aaron-James Sanchez, Biological Sciences Major, ASUCM Representative
1School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
2School of Natural Sciences
3School of Engineering
