Turning his attention back to education, Gore said he was impressed by the enthusiasm he witnessed from students in the classrooms he visited and by the cooperative effort exhibited by officials at all levels of the educational system in the Valley. Educators from local school districts, community colleges and state universities in Turlock and Fresno outlined the accomplishments and challenges facing the region. The Central Valley is undergoing a dramatic transition, noted John Welty, president of Fresno State University. It will never be the same. Officials noted that the Valley possesses a vital agricultural economy, yet high unemployment persists.
Many people trying to enter the workforce have only a minimal education or lack the needed skills.
Schools and colleges need to develop outreach programs and encourage more young people to pursue a higher education. The new UC will help fill that need by serving the entire Valley and linking the region through technology, noted Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, senior associate to the president for the new university. The opportunities the University of California Merced offers are huge. Educational institutions in the region are already cooperating on programs and projects. The Tri-College Center represents a partnership between Merced College, the UC and California State University, Stanislaus.