Foreword

Dear Merced College Colleagues, Summer is here, but we are still beaming with pride after last month’s Commencement ceremonies. More than 600 students crossed the stage on our main campus in Merced, and more than 80 participated in the second annual ceremony at the Los Banos Campus. As we present the final Blue Devil’s Advocate for the 2023-24 academic year, we can’t help but take one more look back and celebrate even more of our graduates. This month, we honor graduates from our nursing programs, which are growing and thriving, and get to know one of their dedicated instructors, Jessica Carroll. We also celebrate one of our own employees, Jamie Moua, who is opening new doors for herself in her career thanks to the A.A. degree she just earned from Merced College. Also in this issue, you’ll learn about the wide range of professional development opportunities available to classified professionals and faculty at Merced College. Well-being, happiness and engagement are among our core values in this district, and that includes ensuring that all employees have opportunities to grow as people and as professionals. With guidance from Professional Development Coordinator Cassie Gunter, and leadership from our faculty and classified constituent groups, we will continue to offer more and better programs and events for our employees. I hope the summer is treating you well, with plenty of time for rest, relaxation and recreation with family and friends. A new academic year will be here before we know it, and it’s shaping up to be our best year ever at Merced College. Our new Dreamscape Learn Lab will open in August, and soon we’ll be breaking ground on a new Ag Innovation Center. Our Educational Master Plan is in place, and the reaffirmation of our accreditation is complete. The foundation is in place to make this the most innovative community college in the nation, and we’re aiming to do just that. Enjoy this time, and rest up for dynamic and exciting year ahead. Go Blue Devils! Sincerely,