Ashley Gebb

A proud alumna, Ashley Gebb (Journalism, '08; MA, Interdisciplinary Studies, '23) is the executive director of University Communications. She leads its exceptional communications team, manages the Chico State brand, and directs marketing, storytelling, and crisis communications.

Contact Ashley Gebb at agebb@csuchico.edu

Allison Messner leans against a porch railing with a landscaped yard behind her.

Five Questions with Yardzen CEO Allison Messner

After a devastating megafire destroyed her yard, Allison Messner cofounded an online landscaping design platform that is gaining national attention.

Students with headphones on play video games in the new gaming lobby.

Wildcat Gaming Lobby Opens to All Students

Open to all students, the new Gaming Lobby features PC gaming, console gaming, arcade games, board games, and more.

Fond Farewell: Political Science Professor Emeritus Jon Ebeling

Jon Ebeling's career at Chico State spanned more than 40 years and inspired countless students to pursue careers in public administration.

Fond Farewell: Retired ASC Michelle Berglund-Smith

Known for her candy dish and birthday cakes, Michelle Berglund-Smith was considered the backbone of the Computer Science Department for her expertise and passion.

Fond Farewell: Agricultural Science and Education Major Holly Mahnke

With a love of animals and passion for education, senior Holly Mahnke was excited to follow her dream of becoming an agriculture teacher.

Fond Farewell: Retired Nursing Professor Beverly Jenkins

Beverly Jenkins taught nursing on campus for 22 years and was known for her compassion for and empathy to students.

Fond Farewell: Professor Emeritus and Athletics Coach Larry Burleson

During a teaching and coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years, Larry Burleson instilled in his students and student-athletes a dedication for technique and appreciation of play.

Julia Moriarty smiles and poses in a hallway

5 Questions with Alumna and Geotechnical Consultant Julia Moriarty

Geotechnical engineer Julia Moriarty ('94) loves watching the details of how things are built—from roads to bridges to fire stations.

Trinity Hall and its bell tower are pictured with trees on a spring morning.

Fond Farewell: Kinesiology Professor Emeritus George David Swanson

A world-class expert in pulmonary physiology, George David Swanson helped create a mass spectrometer that was used on the Mir Space Station.

A tall brick building glows in the late afternoon sunshine with trees in the foreground.

Fond Farewell: Retired Staff Member Eunice Toussaint

The University's first Outstanding Employee of the Year, Eunice Toussaint was known for her dedication to her work and warm, welcoming personality.

Dancers illuminated in pink and purple light dance at a rave.

Office Hours: Sociology Professor and Dance Music Culture Researcher Danielle Hidalgo

Danielle Hidalgo spent four years physically and digitally following three women DJs in an immersive research experience into dance culture.

Swimming and Diving Team’s Legacy Lives On

As national champions, record-setters, and outstanding competitors, members of Chico State’s decorated swimming and diving team set a lasting impression during its three-decade run—and they continue to make headlines today.

Fond Farewell: Online Master of Business Administration Student Delaney Marchant

Delaney Marchant was pursuing her MBA to broaden her passion for entertainment with business acumen. She had recently accepted her dream job.

Jaime Lopez pops up from underwater wearing a snorkel mask and holding a bag of sea specimens

Coral Connections Lead Student-Researcher Toward His Dream

Jaime Lopez has impressed his faculty with an endless passion for sea anemones and corals, with a dream of using research to save them from the effects of climate change.

Ed Bronson stands with a group of legal students in the CLIC law library.

Fond Farewell: Political Science Professor Emeritus and CLIC Founder Ed Bronson

As the founder of the Community Legal Information Center and a national expert in change-of-venue and death-qualified juries, Ed Bronson's legacy among students and the justice system cannot be understated.

Fond Farewell: Financial Accounting and Reporting Staff Member Lenora Goni

With a kind spirit and quick wit, staff member Lenora Goni will also be remembered for her supportive attitude and desire to help.

Aubrey Miller holds a handful of tootbrush fibers in her hand in the concrete lab.

Students Set the Future in Concrete

Just one of five programs of its kind in the United States, our Concrete Industry Management Program is creating the workforce for a $200 billion industry. With a 100 percent job-placement rate and a cross-disciplinary approach that ensures our graduates can lead in the boardroom and at the job site, CIM students are solving some of the industry’s greatest challenges.

Benito Gutierrez stands among campus sculpture in his Class of 2022 shirt.

From Gang Life to College Graduate: Humanities Major Aspires to Help Incarcerated Students

Incarcerated for most of his adult life until age 42, Benny Gutierrez is proud to be graduating with a degree in humanities and having founded a program for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students.

Wes Dempsey holds a tiny pinecone in his hand.

Fond Farewell: Biological Sciences Professor Emeritus Wes Dempsey

Legendary for his arboretum tours and dedication to the campus trees, Wes Dempsey was a naturalist at heart who inspired thousands to follow in his footsteps.

Edgar Castrejon sits at a table with a glass of wine.

Agriculture Alum Cooks Up A Following with Plant-Based Passion

With a best-selling cookbook and write-ups in top food magazines, people can't seem to get enough of Edgar Castrejón's vegan cooking!

Kendall Hall with spring flowers in the foreground

Chico State Students to Present Research at Statewide Competition

Ten Chico State student delegates will compete against scholars statewide at the California State University’s 36th annual Statewide Research Competition.

Fond Farewell: Retired Administrative Assistant Norma Jones

During her 23 years at Chico State, Norma Jones worked for several upper-level administrators, handling her duties with grace, discretion, and expertise.

Disability Rights Leader to be Celebrated with Honorary Doctorate

In the last 40 years, Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al-Qasimi has created leading programs serving children with deafness and hearing issues, autism, and other cognitive and developmental disabilities.

Photo of Kendall Hall seen through the branches of bloomed flowers.

Faculty Showcase Offers Chance to Be ‘Inspired’

Three faculty members who published amid the pandemic share their passions and stories of persistence.

Troy Cline holds a cloth bag out to a student as she "grabs" small white balls with a claw.

Pandemic-Themed Class Explores How Science and Society Tackle Germs

In "Pandemics, Germs, and Society," students study vaccine science, information literacy, and how public health measures can restrict the spread of pathogens.

Fond Farewell: Music Professor Emeritus David Mallory

David Mallory's music legacy spans the globe, thanks to his decades teaching at Chico State, in private instruction, and his program in Mexico during retirement.

Fond Farewell: Retired Associated Students Bookstore Staff Member Patricia Johnson

During her 23-year career, Patricia Johnson was awarded Employee of the Year numerous times, recognized for her positive attitude and team spirit.

5 Questions With Senator and Alumnus Bill Dodd

After spending more than 20 years in local and state government, College of Business Distinguished Alumnus Bill Dodd thinks cooperation and civility could solve much of our political strife.

A bee in flight prepares to land on a branch of purple flowers.

Protection of Pollinators Earns Bee Campus USA Designation

Intentional changes in landscaping practices have earned Chico State recognition as a Bee Campus USA.

Masked students look at a map of campus while marking safety concerns they found.

Students Embrace Role in Campus Safety During Moonlight Walk

About 125 students canvassed campus to identify opportunities for safety improvements.

Fond Farewell: Former Basketball Coach Pete Mathiesen

As Wildcats head basketball coach for 17 years, Pete Mathiesen led Chico State to 243 victories and five conference titles and was himself named the conference’s coach of the year four times.

A student pulls a sample of wastewater from a large jug.

Poop Sleuths: Student Researchers Track COVID-19 in Residence Halls

Two biological sciences faculty and eight students are conducting complex wastewater monitoring in the residence halls to research the virus that causes COVID-19.

Fond Farewell: Electrical Engineering Professor Emeritus Albert Richardson

Helpful, friendly, and collaborative, Albert Richardson taught electrical and computer engineering at Chico State for 22 years.

Bill Babb sits at his computer on campus.

Fond Farewell: Retired Instructional Support Technician Bill Babb

Bill Babb was an invaluable presence in the science labs, setting them up for students, problem-solving for faculty, and doing it all with humor and a friendly attitude.

Fond Farewell: History Major Cassi Tejeda

With remarkable curiosity and infectious warm energy, Cassi Tejeda brought joy to her classrooms and those she loved.

Fond Farewell: Former Theatre and Costume Design Professor Inge Schmidt

Costume expert Inge Schmidt supervised the costume shop and designed costumes for theatrical productions and operas for more than a decade.

Bright yellow leaves of fall adorn a tree on a college campus.

Fond Farewell: Child Development Professor Emeritus Jim Roberts

With a powerful interdisciplinary approach, Jim Roberts is credited with forming and leading the child development program at Chico State for two decades.

Fond Farewell: Former Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Gerth

After Donald Gerth's tenure at Chico State, the esteemed educator went on to work as the longest-serving president at Sacramento State.

Randy Barrett holds his arms open while standing on a bridge over a creek.

Fond Farewell: Mail Clerk Randy Barrett

After 34 years with the US Postal Service, Randy Barrett missed the joys of delivering mail and brought his enthusiasm and good humor to routes across campus.

‘Cats Get Cookin’ with Restaurant Owner Debra Sims

Driven by a lifelong passion for food, Debra Sims (Political Science, ’99) followed her gut, left behind a successful career in the boating and escrow business, and pursued a new career as a chef and entrepreneur.