Provost Welcome

Welcome from the Provost

Welcome to Merrill College! It’s an honor for me to serve as the academic leader of a college with a justly celebrated history of educational achievement and student activism. Our extraordinarily beautiful college, an oasis in the redwoods, is located atop a hill that rises above the rest of the campus.

People don’t look up to us just because of our altitude, although it’s true that Merrill students are famed for cardiovascular fitness. It’s our college community at Merrill that makes us truly extraordinary.

As a provost, I am part of a team that includes faculty, staff, and students. Together, we work to ensure that every student at our college feels welcome and supported. And the most important members of our team are you: the students.

Our college theme, “Cultural Identities and Global Consciousness,” is the only theme at UC Santa Cruz that takes the form of a challenge: how to create a college community that acknowledges and celebrates our differences while simultaneously working to create a better world?

There’s a reason why Merrill is one of UC Santa Cruz’s most diverse colleges, with students from around California, the United States, and the world. Merrill doesn’t just educate. Merrill inspires. The students of Merrill inspire me every day.

In addition to serving as college provost, I am an associate professor of Latin American and U.S. history in the History Department and an affiliated faculty member of the Latin American and Latino Studies Department. I joined UC Santa Cruz in August 2020 and began serving as Merrill’s provost in July 2023. At sunset, I can often be heard playing the bagpipes.

I feel fortunate to be in daily contact with students, staff, faculty, and alumni. My favorite part of the job is passing out cups of coffee (and non-caffeinated beverages) outside my office every week with California Poppy, the Merrill Chihuahua. (Merrill College is also the only college at UC Santa Cruz with an official chihuahua.) I love hearing what’s on students’ minds, tossing around ideas big and small, and enjoying the extraordinary beauty of our college, including the famous Merrill Moat–a living, student-created work of art that dates back to the very beginnings of our college.

Whether you’re a prospective or current student, an alum, or a visitor to our campus, I welcome you to Merrill College. Please come and visit us and consider joining our college community!

Aims McGuinness
Provost, Merrill College, UC Santa Cruz

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