University of California, Merced campus. Photo by Veronica Ardrover/news.ucmerced.edu

An upcoming partnership between Reedley College and UC Merced will aim to expand opportunities for students to remain in the Central Valley after completing their community college studies.

The program — Merced Promise — aims to strengthen and streamline pathways from Reedley College to UC Merced, supporting an efficient and successful transition to the UC system.

A signing ceremony will take place at Reedley College’s McClarty Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Thursday, May 7 at 9 a.m.

The program will see both institutions aligning coursework, expanding advising and outreach programs and early-engagement of students as early as middle school to improve preparation at various points in their education.

The agreement will also emphasize affordability and access, and will guarantee admission for eligible students and targeted financial aid, driving access to education for Valley students.

The Merced Promise adds to a growing network of college pathway partnerships taking shape across the Central Valley. Fresno State’s Bulldog Bound program, launched in 2023, offers guaranteed admission to participating high school students across several local districts, including Kings Canyon Unified.

UC Merced’s Automatic Admission Program — UC MAAP — has since expanded to more than 30 school districts in the region, including Fresno Unified, Sanger Unified and Kings Canyon Unified.

Fresno Pacific University has also formalized transfer pathways with both Reedley College and West Hills College Coalinga, targeting students in communities where access to four-year universities has historically been limited.