Awards and Honors
Double the Dancing! Watch the Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament This Week
Chico State is doing double the dancing this March! The women’s and men’s basketball teams both earned berths in the NCAA Championship Tournament beginning Friday.
Celebrating Our 2024 Distinguished Alumni
Not only do the 2024 Distinguished Alumni honorees reflect our longstanding University values, but they have led exceptional lives and made a profound impact through their careers.
Educator, Record-Setting Goalkeeper, and Distinguished Alumni Tom Carter
Following his passion for math, physical education, and sports, Tom Carter is making a significant impact at Chico State and in the surrounding community.
Distinguished Alumna and Sierra Nevada Brewery Quality Manager Kimberly Bacigalupo
Chemistry alumna Kimberly Bacigalupo is diversifying the brewing industry from the inside out.
Distinguished Alumna and Vice President of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group Cristina Chavez
Cristina Chavez's confidence grew during her time at Chico State. The 2024 Distinguished Alumni honoree's charm, wisdom, and humility has lifted her to the top of the music industry.
A Second Chance: Mathematics Alumna Calculates Her Own Path to Success
For recent graduate and future high school math teacher Taylor Anderson, the journey is the destination.
Vision Beyond Sight: College of Business Student’s Inspiring Journey
Despite being legally blind, Rawlins award winner Carter Lindstrom carries a 3.92 GPA and is a leader in many Chico State College of Business clubs.
Navigating International Paths and Markets: A Business Student’s Journey to a Rawlins Award
Nhung (Emma) Pham earned the Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins award for her achievements and leadership in Chico State's College of Business.
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.
Graduate Student Breaking Through Doors Once Closed to Her
As an undocumented child, she grew up constantly being told no. Today, Mejia is working to make sure that kids in her community encounter more open doors than stop signs.
Hands-on Learning Helps Mold Graduate Student into SLP She Wants to Be
What began as Sierra Bowling's teenage interest in public speaking has become a passion for the budding speech-language pathologist.
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.
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.
Worth Sharing: Chico State Honored for Online Excellence
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.
Legends Rising and Records Falling: Chico State Athletics off to Scorching Start
Another fantastic fall for the Chico State Department of Athletics is ending, culminating in two more California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, several NCAA Championship berths, and excitement for what’s still to come. Records have fallen and legends have risen, and the year has only just begun! Here are some of the highlights.
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.
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.
California State University Honored with Innovation Award for Faculty Learning Community Led by Chico State Professor
Geography and Planning professor Mark Stemen has been honored by a national organization for his tireless work to bring sustainability to more than just science classes.
Celebrating Thomas DuSell: Campus Safety Award Winner, and So Much More
When he noticed a thorny traffic issue, Chico State Rose Garden specialist Thomas DuSell lobbied for an important change that would keep students and staff safe.
Celebrating Tami Henriksen, a Guiding Light for Students in University Housing
Tami Henriksen, who has been helping University Housing students for 29 years, was honored with the 2022–23 Staff Council customer service award.
Celebrating Rosemary White: 2022’s Wildcat Spirit Award Winner
Known across campus as "Ms. Positive Attitude," Rosemary White has spent over twenty years making Chico State a better place to learn, teach, and grow.
Chico State Awards President’s Scholarships to Five Incoming First-Year Students
Chico State awarded Presidential Scholarships to five incoming students with outstanding scholastic résumés.
2023 COEDI Awards Honor Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions on Campus
The 2023 Conversations on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (COEDI) Award ceremony was held in person on campus for the first time since the COVID pandemic, honoring the champions of transformation on campus.
Five Faculty Recognized with Professional Achievement Honors
Faculty from across the University are recognized for their research, scholarly contributions, and excellence in academia.
Chico State’s MBA Program Continues to Receive Global Recognition in CEO Magazine
Chico State has once again been recognized as one of the top business schools around the world with an MBA program.
Introducing Delaney Sarantopulos: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
A "roll-of-the-dice" decision to attend Chico State came up aces for Delaney Sarantopulos and the University, which has benefited greatly from her service-based leadership.
Introducing Josephine Hernandez: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Animal science major Josephine Hernandez is an empathetic leader committed to inspiring future agricultural students and giving back to her field.
Introducing Madeline Litman: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
While at Chico State, Madeline Litman's work ethic, perseverance, and maturity have led to leadership roles in student clubs, a stellar academic career, and now a prestigious Rawlins Merit Scholarship.
Chico State Announces 2023 Faculty and Staff Hall of Honor Inductees
Chico State announced tickets are now available for its 2023 Hall of Honors ceremony. The Hall of Honor recognizes the “best of the best” of the University’s retired faculty and staff.
Introducing Hannah Scholzen: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Civil engineering student and soon-to-be graduate, Hannah Scholzen, is a model of perseverance and leadership in her field.
Distinguished Alum and Retired Agriculture Educator Roy Beck
Roy Beck put himself through college by working at the University Farm. He went on to teach agricultural education for 42 years and still advocates on behalf of his beloved discipline.
Introducing Theodore Greenfield: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Theodore Greenfield, a father of two and elementary school band instructor, hopes to become a high school math teacher to share his love for the subject.
Introducing Kyle Mason: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Fueled by a passion for science, first-generation student Kyle Mason is living out his life's dream and earning a college degree.
Introducing Yanetli Navarro-Hernandez: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Construction Industry Management student Yanetli Navarro-Hernandez wants to be a role model and encourage more women to pursue careers in construction management.
Introducing Peyton Arnold: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Peyton Arnold has studied the impacts of feeding cover crops to livestock and served as vice president of the Chico State Sheep Association, but she's most passionate about poultry.
Distinguished Alumna, Educator, and School Director Melanie Mello
Former exchange student and decorated educator Melanie Mello has been named a Chico State distinguished alumni of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts.
Introducing Manraj Singh Randhawa: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Nursing student Manraj Singh Randhawa has a grand vision for his life. The Yuba City Sikh community, the Chico State School of Nursing, and more, are reaping the benefits of that vision.
Introducing Stephanie Gaito: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient
Social work master’s student Stephanie Gaito (Social Work, ’22) is passionate about serving rural areas and giving them the proper representation they deserve.
Student-Athlete Captures CalHOPE Courage Award
Gretta Kirkby, winner of the CalHOPE Courage Award, is using the opportunity to remind her peers to reach out for help if they need it.
Chico State Professor Helps Reshape How CSUs Teach About Climate Change
Chico State Professor Mark Stemen's Faculty Learning Community earns coveted sustainability award for helping CSUs integrate climate change topics in classrooms.