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Chico State

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy

Sean Murphy (English, ’97) is the Media Relations Coordinator at Chico State. When he's not writing press releases and pitching story ideas to the media or fielding media inquiries, he's writing about human interest stories, sports, the outdoors and the remarkable students, staff and faculty at Chico State.

Contact Sean Murphy at samurphy@csuchico.edu

Student Marifren Francisco smiles in a formal white jacket and clear-framed glasses.

Learning From Experiences, Nursing Major Forges Path to Success

Initially drawing inspiration from nursing students on campus, Marifren Francisco has created her own bright future through service-learning.

Student Justin Craven wearing a black jacket.

Curiosity Has Set Double Physics Major On Successful Path

In the classroom, lab, and on the athletics track, Justin Craven is constantly growing through an open mind.

Graduate student Arely Saldana smiles, wearing a formal black cardigan and a red shirt.

Broad Horizons Ahead for Master’s Candidate in Legal Psychology

Arley Saldana enriches her life by trying new things—and brings this joyful approach to her research and work as a grad student en route to great things.

A ginkgo tree turns vibrant yellow in the fall season.

Worth Sharing: Chico State Honored for Online Excellence

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

A geothermal lake sits in the mountains

Biology Faculty’s Research Sets Foundation for Future Findings of Life’s Evolution

Biological Sciences faculty Gordon Wolfe's research on organisms that thrive in extreme conditions is getting new life.

Jaime Raigoza stands at a Commencement ceremony

Three-Year, $2.5 Million DOE Grant Puts Chico State at Leading Edge of Teaching Quantum Computing

In efforts to promote the field of quantum information science and technology, Department of Computer Science Associate Professor Jaime Raigoza and other scientists have been awarded a three-year, $2.5 million grant from the DOE.

Fall foliage surrounds brick pillars on a college campus.

Worth Sharing: UCOMM Snares Six CASE Awards

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Institute of International Education Recognizes Chico State for Study Abroad Excellence

In its latest Open Doors rankings, the Institute of International Education (IIE) listed Chico State as being one of the most active and engaged US higher education institutions in its category for participation in studying abroad.

Portrait of Monica So

Department of Energy Grant Funds Research by Chico State and Others to Develop New Battery Tech

Chico State faculty are working to develop new battery technology through the support of a three-year, $2.25 million grant from the US Department of Energy.

Portrait of Gary Towne

Worth Sharing: Towne Named Men’s and Women’s CCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Portrait of Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin Highlights Chico State’s 2024 Northern California Neurodiversity and Disability Symposium

Chico State will host the Neurodiversity and Disability Symposium, a full day of education, engagement and enlightenment—highlighted by keynote speaker Temple Grandin.

Don Hankins leans on a shovel while he smiles and stands beneath a tree during a prescribed fire exercise

Worth Sharing: Hankins Honored for His Work with Cultural Burning

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Pumpkins splat on a giant tarp splayed on the ground after they've been dropped from 30 feet in a fun science lesson in physics for schoolchildren

A Smashing Good Time: 34th Annual Pumpkin Drop on Halloween

Messy science for learning? Yes, please! The 34th Chico State Pumpkin Drop will take place on campus on Tuesday, October 31 at noon.

Siblings Anna Rose Alexander and Josh Funk

Sibling Collaboration Spans Disciplines and CSU Campuses

A cross-discipline, multi-campus collaboration between Chico State and Cal State East Bay is made more special because the faculty involved are siblings.

A wood pedestrian bridge over a flowing creek and with ivy, bushes, and trees around.

Worth Sharing: Kruger Pens a Pair of Chapters

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

A bright sunny sky shines above a brick academic building

Rankings Season: A Roundup

Chico State received numerous rankings from top-tier magazines and international organizations over the last couple of months—here is a rundown.

A printing machine puts an Earth Day logo on a reusable bag

International Organization AASHE Once Again Honors Chico State for Excellence in Sustainability

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education recognized Chico State for its environmental practices, honoring it as one of the top performers in its Master’s Institutions category.

An academic building at dusk with the words "Joy of Learning, California State University, Chico"

Sixth Annual Joy of Learning Showcases Chico State Educators

From cognitive science to the power of emojis to the coldest stuff in the universe, Chico State is ready to educate at the sixth annual Joy of Learning, which takes place virtually on Friday, October 13.

A pair of red and white decorative ribbons that say Wildcat Weekend

Chico State Builds on Last Year’s Success With 2023 Wildcat Weekend

Events for Wildcat Weekend 2023 will take place from Thursday, October 12 through Saturday, October 14.

A sign for a museum exhibit that says, "Bombus! A Natural History of Bumble Bees"

Gateway Science Museum Presents a Pair of New Exhibits

From vital pollinators to nature’s most hilarious moments, the Gateway Science Museum features a pair of new exhibits to satisfy the curious and the light-hearted.

Looking up at the trunk, branches, and leaves of a giant mature oak tree

Worth Sharing: Chico State Named One of the Top Colleges for Indigenous Students

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Three students laugh and smile as the walk down the promenade of campus.

National Honor Awarded to Chico State Program That Advances the Number of Latinx Students Earning Graduate Degrees

Chico State's Graduate Equity Fellowship Program has been recognized by the nation’s leading authority on efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education.

Curved arches on a building on a college campus

Chico State Celebrated in US News & World Report’s 2024 Rankings

With a pair of top 10 rankings and another three in the top 25, Chico State is firmly recognized as one of the top higher education institutions in the West region in the 2024 US News & World Report’s Best College Rankings.

Puffy white clouds stream overhead and above trees

Worth Sharing: Goodsell, Ellis Co-Author Piece on the Benefits of Nature-Based Therapy

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Fall colors abound in the trees in front of an administration building on a college campus

Chico State Appears in a Pair of Forbes Rankings

Chico State was honored by Forbes on two lists of rankings—America's Top Colleges List and Best California Colleges Online of 2023.

Sunset behind an academic building on a college campus

Chico State Shines in 2023 Washington Monthly Rankings

In its 2023 College Guide and Rankings, Washington Monthly listed Chico State in the top 10 in its “Master’s University Rankings" and the top 20 for “Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: West."

The sun sets behind an academic building with grass and oak trees in the foreground and puffy clouds in the sky

Chico State’s Efforts to Advance Post-Graduate Education Recognized Nationally

Chico State’s Office of Graduate Studies received two multi-million-dollar grants from the Department of Education and was recognized by a national educational organization.

The sun sets behind a line of dairy cows as they snack on hay on a University Farm

Chico State’s CRARS Awarded Nearly $6 Million to Address Climate Priorities

Chico State’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems has received a California Climate Action Seed and Matching Grant totaling approximately $6 million to support state climate priorities.

A promenade on a college campus with majestic trees and campus buildings

Worth Sharing: Edwards and Schleiger Co-Author Book on Firescaping

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

A lit doorway in front of an otherwise darkened academic building

Chico State Psychology Students Honored as CSU Pre-Doctoral Scholars

A pair of Chico State graduate students have been recognized with the CSU's prestigious awards for their doctoral aspirations.

Sunshine peeks through branches and leaves from a peach tree

Community Favorite ‘U-Pick Peaches’ Makes its Return to Chico State’s University Farm This Week

The popular annual “U-Pick Peaches” event returns to University Farm at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, August 23.

An academic building on a college campus as the morning sun breaks through

Chico State Excels in Money Magazine’s ‘Best of 2023’ Rankings

Chico State continues making its mark on national rankings, including the most recent from Money magazine.

Anna Rose Alexander poses and smiles along a dirt path outdoors with potted plants on both sides of the path.

5 Questions with Alumna and Cal State East Bay History Faculty Anna Rose Alexander

As Anna Rose Alexander (History, '06) engages with her history students at Cal State East Bay, she is also providing them with a glimpse of how their worlds have been shaped.

Dawn Frank wears a bright red dress and smiles as she poses for a photo while holding a trophy and plaque

Celebrating Dawn Frank: 2022’s Outstanding MPP of the Year

Running three different centers on campus while living out her values, Dawn Frank epitomizes excellence in management—and caring for those around her.

The front of an academic building on a college campus is flanked by lush trees.

Worth Sharing: Computer Science Associate Professor Recognized With International Wildcat Award

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Boxes of beautiful blackberries and raspberries

Center for Healthy Communities Receives $3 Million in Renewed State Funding to Support Food Security for California College Students

The Center for Healthy Communities has received renewed funding to support college students across the state access CalFresh food benefits.

5 Questions with History Alumna and Author Sonia Robles

As the Mexican workforce moved north into the United States beginning in the 1930s, Mexican-owned radio stations followed—alumna Sonia Robles (History, '05) documented this in her book, "Mexican Waves."

A creek flows peacefully through lush green trees and bushes

Worth Sharing: Chico State Recognized in Slew of Rankings

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Cecilia Lore sits on a desk with her hands on her left knee, while sitting in a college classroom

Age and Obstacles Don’t Deter Anthropology Major from Pursuing Her Degree

After overcoming obstacles throughout her life, anthropology major Cecelia Lore is utilizing the CSU's fee waiver to pursue her degree.

College graduates sit and stand in rows during a college graduation.

Worth Sharing: Spring-Season Student Athletes Earn All-West Academic Honors

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.