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 Steering Committee began in meeting in October 2025 and anticipates meeting bimonthly during AY 2025-26.
The charge to the Steering Committee is available here. The Committee's membership follows.
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, GSA Representative (AY 2025-26)
Aaron-James Sanchez, ASUCM Representative
1School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
2School of Natural Sciences
3School of Engineering
