In the Spotlight

April 03, 2025

WE Will! Collaborative Takes Center Stage at Press Conference with Governor Newsom

On April 2, 2026, McKenna Salazar, Executive Director of the WE Will! K16 Collaborative, was invited to attend a press conference hosted by Governor Gavin Newsom at Modesto Junior College...

WE Will!

March 04, 2025

WBL In Action! Summit

WE Will! WBL In Action! Summit Recap: A Day of Inspiration and Insight on February 6, 2024, UC Merced proudly hosted the WE Will! WBL In Action! Summit, bringing together educators, students, and industry leaders for a day of powerful conversations and transformative learning....

March 04, 2025

NextGen MedPros

The NextGen MedPros program has achieved impressive success in attendance, retention, and engagement by collaborating with committee members and prioritizing youth voices. Students have shown significant growth in professionalism, including a 97% task completion rate. The program also supports student success by addressing transportation barriers, providing healthy snacks, and offering mentorship, scholarships, and access to healthcare conferences.

HealthForce Partners of NSJ

March 04, 2025

Apprenticeships Reaching Career Horizons

This quarter, significant strides were made in enhancing the apprenticeship program, with a focus on apprentice training and expanding opportunities. Apprentices received essential training for completing their On-the-Job Training (OJT) reports, while a survey identified the need for improved attendance and relationship-building with the Center of Excellence (COE). Meetings throughout the quarter helped refine standards and align the team’s vision. The ARCH webinar also generated interest in youth apprenticeship programs, encouraging individuals to explore starting their own initiatives.

San Joaquin County Office of Education

March 04, 2025

Project Heart

The HOSA program is making incredible strides, with Anatomy and Physiology students diving into the world of HOSA and Health Careers Academies, sparking excitement and engagement. A recent HOSA Q&A session provided students with valuable insights, while outreach efforts to Health Career partners for guest speakers continue to enrich the experience. Faculty members also attended the Stan State Advisory Panel and participated in a HOSA event on 11/22/24, where students gained hands-on leadership skills that will shape their future.

Linden Unified School District

November 09, 2024

UC Merced-led WE Will! Awards $14.2 Million to Education, Health Partners

UC Merced-led WE Will! Workforce and Education Collaborative has awarded an additional $4.2 million to education and healthcare partners in Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

UC Merced

September 23, 2024

WE Will! Round 2 Project Sub Award: Project Applications

The WE Will! K-16 Collaborative represents a multi-sector and intersegmental collaboration, uniting Merced, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus Counties. We are honored to have been awarded a K-16 Regional Collaborative grant, which seeks to equitably enhance K-16 Career Pathways in Healthcare and Education, while also addressing the following Recovery with Equity Recommendations...

September 17, 2024

Stanislaus State students find inspiration to enter a career in teaching

A group of Stanislaus State University students is getting motivated to enter the teaching profession to educate the next generation of students in the Central Valley. Ana York, a Stanislaus State assistant professor of teacher education, helped establish two chapters of Educators Rising— one with Modesto City Schools and the other with the university.

Taylor Johnson (Modesto Bee)

September 12, 2024

WE Will! K-16: CVHEC dual enrollment projects in North Valley

Two $400,000 state grants in partnership with the WE Will! K-16 Workforce and Education Collaborative will expand Central Valley Higher Education Consortium initiatives into the North Valley: the Master’s Upskilling Project and the Central Valley Math Bridge program.

Tom Uribes (CVHEC Communications/Media Coordinator)

September 03, 2024

Round 2 Sub Award Project Applications Due October 1!

WE Will! funded a total of 31 projects within the tri-county region with a total award of $10,686,147. Round 2 will award approximately $3.7 million in funding, which will place an emphasis on the Recovery with Equity Strategies to enhance out regional overarching goals...

July 01, 2024

Round 2 Proposals

Round 2 subaward project applications opening soon.

May 09, 2024

UC Merced-led Collaborative Awards $10.6 Million to Community, Education Partners

The WE Will! Education and Workforce Collaborative, spearheaded by UC Merced and composed of partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, has awarded $10.6 million to community and education partners in the tri-county region.

UC Merced

April 01, 2024

Round 1 Awards Announced

$10.6 million has been awarded to 31 unique projects across the tri-county region.

November 22, 2023

UC Merced-led Regional Education Collaborative Awarded $18.1 Million in State Funds

An education and workforce collaborative spearheaded by UC Merced and composed of partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties was awarded $18.1 million by the California Department of General Services (DGS) as part of the K-16 Education Collaborative Grant Program. WE Will! The Northern San Joaquin Valley K-16 Regional Partnership was one of four collaboratives across the state recently selected to receive an award.

UC Merced

November 07, 2022

UC Merced in Partnership with the K-16 Workforce & Education Collaborative Receives State Planning Grant

The University of California, Merced, as the lead agency working in collaboration with partners from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, was awarded a planning grant for $250,000 to plan and design streamlined pathways for students from high school to postsecondary education to the workforce.

UC Merced