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Letter From the Dean

Jeffery Gilger Headshot Photo

Greetings,

I would like to welcome you to the UC Merced School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (SSHA). Our School is home to many diverse disciplines, programs, students, and faculty. We offer important courses that are the background to a liberal arts education, as well as a range of basic and advanced courses in specific disciplines.

Our campus opened-up in 2005, and in a relatively short time, SSHA has grown to be the largest School on campus. Across our 10 departments, we house 14 majors, 18 minors, the Merritt Writing Program, and 7 graduate programs. SSHA provides opportunities for students to explore subjects in depth, while embracing interdisciplinary study and research across the arts, humanities, social and STEM sciences.

Indeed, UCM has grown faster than any other UC campus, and has achieved or exceeded the timing of many of the milestones expected for a new university. I encourage you to become a SSHA student and be part of this exciting adventure.

I am a firm believer in a solid liberal arts education, no matter what your career trajectory. Having exposure to humanities, arts, and social science, will allow you to think critically and creatively. In addition, SSHA faculty have a long tradition of student-focused teaching and research opportunities. Thus, while we are a UC campus, our smaller size and philosophy towards students provides for student-faculty engagement, student research opportunities, and community connections beyond what you may find in other places.

Please explore the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts through our website. Let us know if you would like to visit or receive more information about our School.

Jeffrey W. Gilger, PhD

Dean, School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts
Professor of Psychology
Chair, Alice and Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social