The University of California is helping to raise teacher quality and increase student preparation for college in the San Joaquin Valley through outreach, teacher professional development and other K-14 programs aimed at improving Valley students' eligibility for UC. In the Valley, UC serves hundreds of teachers and thousands of students each year through such school partnerships as Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS) , Yosemite Institute for Teachers, the UC Merced Writing Project and the San Joaquin Valley Leadership Institute. Each fall, UC Merced's Office of Relations with Schools contacts 25,000 Valley students via office appointments, visits to middle schools, high schools and community colleges, college fairs, general presentations and admissions application workshops.

An Overview of UC's Outreach in the Valley

COSMOS (California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science)

MESA -- Math, Science and Engineering
Achievement (Valley Programs)

Great Explorations in Math and Science (GEMS)

UC Merced Admissions/Relations with Schools and Colleges

UC Merced Center for Educational Partnerships

UC Nexus (UC and K-12)

UC College Prep Initiative

Outlook (News about UC outreach)