Join this audio interview with UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, a first-generation college student who became a lifelong advocate for providing education and social mobility for students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Hosted by Sara Weismann, this interview dives deep into the emergence of new barriers for minority students in the higher education landscape, strategies and goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as his work with Excelencia as the newest member on their education board as president for Latino Student Success. Tune in now and learn more about Chancellor Muñoz’s work and his efforts towards improving higher education experiences for minority students.

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KEY POINTS / MAIN TAKEAWAYS:

• Chancellor Muñoz’s experience as a first-generation student.
• New barriers in higher education since 1985.  
• What is UC Merced doing to support first-generation and underprivileged students, especially in the context of COVID?
• The key to maintaining and growing student applicant numbers amidst a pandemic.
• Chancellor Muñoz’s work and involvement with Excelencia.
• Biggest challenges and opportunities facing Hispanic-serving institutions.
• Long-term diversity, equity, and inclusion goals for UC Merced.

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QUOTABLES:

“I do my best to remind myself of both my hope and my possibilities as a young man at that time, as well as those things that serve to obstruct what could have been an even more dynamic and fulfilling experience, and hope to work with people at my institution to remove those barriers for students of ambition, of talent, of promise.”

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PRODUCTS / RESOURCES:

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In The Margins is produced by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education and edited by Instapodcasts (visit at www.instapodcasts.com)