In September 2025, the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor established a Steering Committee to oversee UC Merced's re-affirmation of accreditation by the WSCUC. The Committee's membership is listed below.
Per the Charge to the Steering Committee, the Committee began meeting in October 2025 and met four times during AY 2025-26. In AY 2026-27, the Steering Committee met on August 20 to outline the Institutional Report drafting and reviewing process and timeline. The Steering Committee anticipates to hold one or two additional meetings to review and finalize the Institutional Report.
WSCUC Steering Committee for Reaffirmation of Accreditation
Faculty
Heather Bortfeld, SSHA1, Steering Committee Chair and SSHA Representative
Susan Varnot, SSHA, Undergraduate Council Representative
Harish Bhat, SNS2, Graduate Council Representative
Pooja Chopra, SNS, Non-Senate Academics Council Representative
Mukesh Singhal, SoE3, Representative
Brian Utter, SNS, Representative
Administration
Amy Bergerson, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education
Hrant Hratchian, Vice Provost and Dean, Graduate Education
Sara Davidson Squibb, Associate University Librarian
Laura Martin, Accreditation Liaison Officer
Tonantzin Oseguera, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs and Engagement
Delia Saenz, Vice Chancellor, Equity, Justice, & Inclusive Excellence
Kurt Schnier, Vice Chancellor Planning and Budget, Chief Financial Officer
Christiane Spitzumueller, Vice Provost, Academic Affairs and Strategy
Students
Metzli Montero, (AY 2025-26), Victoria Davis (AY 2026-27), GSA Representative
Aaron-James Sanchez, (AY 2025-26), Mistura Bankole (AY 2026-27), ASUCM Representative
Support Staff
Naoko Kada, Coordinator for Academic Program Development
1School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
2School of Natural Sciences
3School of Engineering
