As we settle into a new academic year, the energy across Merced College has been unmistakable. Students are thriving, new programs and projects are taking shape, and our focus remains on “Living Out Our CORE” by putting our seven core values into practice every day.

The first Blue Devil’s Advocate of the new year focuses on who we are by looking back at who we’ve been. Through more than six decades of strong partnerships, Merced College has grown alongside the communities we serve.

From dual enrollment programs with local high schools to workforce partnerships with employers to health care and public safety, these relationships have been built over time through trust, communication and collaboration. They remind us that Merced College has never operated in isolation; our strength comes in large part from the people and organizations that share our commitment to this region.

At the same time, we are still growing. Promise Housing, the AgTEC Innovation Center, the new South Merced Center, planned improvements at the Los Banos Campus, and continued expansion of immersive learning are just a few examples of how Merced College is responding to changing student and community needs. Each project looks different, but each reflects the same commitment to creating greater access, removing barriers and finding new ways to help students succeed.

You will also meet alumna Sandy Del Real, whose connection to Merced College stretches back more than 40 years and across generations of her family. From her days as a Blue Devil student-athlete to her leadership today at Live Oak Farms, Sandy’s story shows how the impact of a Merced College education can extend far beyond a classroom and remain woven into the life of our community for decades.

Finally, this month’s Team feature turns directly to our seven core values. Employees from across the district share their reflections on Student Engagement and Support; Trust and Communication; Innovation and Technology; Collaboration; Critical Thinking; Inclusivity; and Well-Being and Happiness. Collectively, their words make an important statement: Our values only matter when we live them out through everyday choices and interactions.

That is the challenge and opportunity before us this year. Merced College has been part of this community for more than six decades, and we continue to grow because people across this district care deeply about each other and about our mission. By reconnecting with our shared values and putting them into action — one student, one interaction and one decision at a time — we can continue building a college worthy of the trust this community has placed in us.