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The Great Valley Center and the University of California, Merced announced a partnership on November 17, 2005 that combines GVC’s networks and resources with the world-class research capacity of the state's newest University of California campus.

 This partnership is a natural extension of the Great Valley Center’s ongoing commitment to ensure a sustainable future for California’s Great Central Valley from Redding to Bakersfield. The Great Valley Center's ongoing work will be energized by collaborative opportunities with university system’s top scholars.

As the partnership evolves, the Great Valley Center will continue to provide regionally-focused data and information, facilitate leadership development programs for elected officials and teenagers, and assist in the coordination of regional projects on issues such as Highway 99 and the recently formed California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley. As the university grows, it will draw on the Great Valley Center's network of community leaders, nonprofits, elected officials and businesses to fulfill its educational mission.

The Center will continue to raise funds to support its work and we are counting on your help to make this partnership a success. The James Irvine Foundation and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation have pledged significant transitional support as the Great Valley Center begins working with the University.

By working together to improve the region's economy and educational attainment, we hope to help the people of California's fastest growing region make positive, long term public policy choices.

What People Are Saying About the Partnership

"The partnership of the Great Valley Center and the University of California at Merced offers much promise for our area. The Great Valley Center brings a balanced vision for the future and the University of California at Merced brings world renowned research capabilities to meeting the challenges facing the valley. They will be a great partnership."
— Darlene Mohlke, Director of Governmental & Community Affairs, Castle & Cooke

"The Great Valley Center — working together with the newest University of California campus, U.C. Merced — in this new partnership brings to the Central Valley a new model for civic engagement, regional focus and training for the next generation of the valley's leaders."
— Helen M. Thomson, Chair, Yolo County Board of Supervisors

"Connecting the GVC's civic mission and UC Merced's education and research mission will be very beneficial to the Central Valley. The synergies that will result from the affiliation of these two crown jewels of the Central Valley will yield benefits to all of us in the Valley."
— Peter Weber, Co-chair, Fresno Regional Jobs Initiative

"I have worked very closely with the Great Valley Center throughout my career, and am proud to have played a leading role in the establishment of UC Merced. I am thrilled that these two great institutions are joining forces to build a brighter future for the Central Valley."
— Congressman Dennis Cardoza

"The partnership between the Great Valley Center and the University of California, Merced can provide enhanced services to the Great Central Valley. I am so pleased the Center's work will continue to include the Sacramento Valley. GVC has been a wonderful resource for us and we look forward to a relationship that includes the newest UC!"
— Helen Baumann, El Dorado County Board of Supervisors

"UC Merced shares many of the same hopes and aspirations for the Central Valley as the Great Valley Center. By working together to improve the region's economy and educational attainment, we hope to help the people of California's fastest-growing region make positive, long-term public policy choices. Our faculty will use the expanded research mission of the Center as an opportunity to involve talented and motivated students in solving the most important problems facing our community."
— UC Merced Chancellor Carol-Tomlinson Keasey

"The Great Valley Center's community connections and networking strengths will fortify research work at UC Merced, and UC researchers will offer important resources for the Center in return."
— Robert C. Dynes, President, University of California





Read some Frequently Asked Questions [PDF] about the partnership




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