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Profiles

An illustration of Kendall Hall at Chico State, with the words 'Wildcat Conversations' written in whimsical letters above it.

Wildcat Conversations, Episode 1: Artificial Intelligence

To help us learn more about where AI is going, why it’s moving so fast, and how we can think about it with more optimism than dread, we looked to three alums working at the forefront of this technological evolution.

Portraits of Madison Gillen, Rafael Fogo, and Millie Kinnamont.

Worth Sharing: Speech and Debate Team Take Center Stage at Pi Kappa Delta Nationals

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

A red banner with the words '2024 Distinguished Alumni' written in white text.

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.

A black and white headshot of Tom Carter with the words, '2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree' written in white text across a red banner.

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 Kimberly Bacigalupo

Distinguished Alumna and Sierra Nevada Brewery Quality Manager Kimberly Bacigalupo

Chemistry alumna Kimberly Bacigalupo is diversifying the brewing industry from the inside out.

Distinguished Alum and and Vice President of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group Cristina Chavez

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.

Black and white photo illustration of Norman Tu with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alum, Entrepreneur, and CEO Norman Tu

In 1982, a motivational seminar inspired Norman Tu to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Today, his company employs over 350 people and has facilities in several states.

Black and white photo illustration of Stuart Casillas with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alumni and Corporate Partner Stuart Casillas

Lean into classes, reflect on what's important, absorb the wisdom around you. University Foundation Board member Stuart Casillas delivers his insight.

Taylor Anderson Rawlins Award winner

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.

Black and white photo illustration of Alycia Anderson with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alumna, Motivational Speaker, and CEO Alycia Anderson

Alycia Anderson believes disability needs to be an important part of the DEI conversation. An international TEDx speaker and advocate, she works with global companies to expand what inclusion means in the workplace.

Student India Starr smiles as she looks away from the camera and poses with her arms crossed in a black button-up blouse against a beige studio background.

Former Basketball Player Finds New Team in the Classroom

Basketball brought India Starr to Chico State, but the support she found here made the communication studies major want to stay.

Distinguished Alum and California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass

Distinguished Alumna and California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass

The organization’s first woman President is driven to succeed by those who blazed trails for her and those who will follow.

Student Olicia Johnson smiles as she looks away from the camera while she's wearing a blue blouse in front of a beige studio background.

Passion Leads Chico Native to Find Path in Computer Science

A love of coding and her hometown led Olivia Johnson to pursue her degree at Chico State. "I have finally found my path..." she said.

Jorge Munguia Ramos poses for a photo wearing a blue shirt with a small white pattern.

Perseverance and Push from Professors Propel Future History Teacher

Tempted to return home during his first week at Chico State, Jorge Munguia Ramos not only stayed, but he found community and encouragement that helped him thrive.

Valene. L Smith stands in front of the Museum bearing her name.

Fond Farewell: Anthropology Professor Emerita and Museum Benefactor Valene L. Smith

Valene L. Smith was a world traveler, internationally renowned tourism expert, beloved professor, and esteemed benefactor and champion for the campus anthropology museum that today bears her name.

Carter Lindstrom smiles while seated on a stool in a dark-colored suit.

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.

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.

John Vigil stands on a hill with the Camelot Equestrian Park in the background

Business Student Brainstorms to Build Bigger Market for Tribal Equestrian Park

Business administration major and Mechoopda Tribal member John Vigil found a way to blend his studies with his vision for an equestrian park as an expanding venture of the Tribe.

Looking across the Gus Manolis Bridge on a bright spring morning.

Journalism Alum Leads DEI Efforts at Groundbreaking Agency

Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt has put the valuable experience she gained in Chico State's journalism program to practice at FleishmanHillard (FH), a leading-edge public relations firm.

University Farm in the late afternoon.

Influential Ag Alum Pays Tribute to Chico State

President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Natalie Collins says her journey began as Chico State.

Alyssa DeVries (left) and Liam McCoy (right) work on an exercise during a Communication for Disorders (CCD) counseling session on at Chico State.

Celebrating 75 Years of History, Impact in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology

Founded in 1948, the CMSD program has a long history of providing the North State with high quality professionals and critical speech, language and hearing services.

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

Class Notes: Fall 2023

The Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. Alumni share professional and personal updates for fall 2023.

Kate Minderhoud sits on a bench flanked in the golden light of autumn trees.

Community Support Drives Camp Fire Survivor and Anthropology Major to Give Back

Artist, anthropology major, and Camp Fire survivor Kate Minderhoud credits two scholarships for helping make her college dreams come true. Next step: grad school.

Anthony Costales runs during the 2023 Western States 100 while donning his Chico State cross country jersey.

Ultramarathon Alum Leans on Wildcat Crew

A one-pound iced lemon loaf is not an obvious snack for someone running a 100-mile endurance race, but you can't argue with Anthony Costales' results. The Chico State distance running alum relied on those calories and his Wildcats crew to finish 3rd at this year's Western States 100.

A bright, colorful designed image that shows three people who work in artificial intelligence.

AI: The Business of Change

Three alumni working in different areas of the AI space share their stories of change that led to careers at the edge of a new frontier.

An up-close portrait of Pratik Mehta.

Solving Grassroots Medical Issues With AI

Alumnus Pratik Mehta, head of artificial intelligence at CloudMedx, is constantly asking what will meaningfully impact as many lives as possible.

A framed portrait of Gabriel Flores.

Driving Automotive Technology Into the Future

Hear the story of Gabriel Flores, an enterprise engineering manager, developing hands-free, eyes-off driving technology.

An up-close portrait of Liane Thompson.

Celebrated Journalist and Producer Writes a Chapter with Groundbreaking AI Tech

Alumna Liane Thompson cofounded an award-winning environmental tech firm that is combatting climate change and making waterways more resilient.

Colorful wooden cutouts of houses on a white background

A Place to Call Home

To address student homelessness, Chico State’s Rapid Re-housing Program is breaking down barriers and stigmas that stand in the way of student success.

President Perez

Now Introducing: Steve Perez

Chico State’s 13th president is not only our “Cheerleader in Chief"—he foxtrots, loves coaching, and brings a deep family connection to education into a role he’s been building toward since the sixth grade.

Tadich Grill's neon sign above the restaurant in San Francisco's financial district.

’Cats Get Cookin’ with Mike Buich

The owner of California's oldest continuously run restaurant reflects on lessons from the last 50 years, and shares a special recipe.

Cherie Higgs presents in front of a screen that reads, "I am remarkable."

From Adversity to Achievement: A Student’s Remarkable Journey in Chico State’s College of Business

Cherie Higgs overcame a rough upbringing to become a powerhouse within Chico State's College of Business.

Jennifer Ikemoto, assistant chief of special operations for California Department, poses for a photo while wearing her uniform and stands along the American River near the DFW Regional Office in Rancho Cordova, Calif.

To Serve and Protect Our State’s Natural Resources

Jennifer Ikemoto, assistant chief for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, uses her biology degree and position to protect California's habitats and wildlife.

Capt. Keith Michels, Rory Thelen, Nancy Thelen, Lt. Chad Deal (left to right) take a tour of one of the buildings that houses inmates at Folsom prison.

Preparing the next generation of CDCR leaders through the Executive Leadership Institute

Developed in 2017, ELI prepares state corrections executives to be decisive, effective, visionary leaders, and champions of change.

Talitha MacDonald, wearing an orange turtleneck sleeveless top and black pants, is photographed outdoors standing near a wooden fence.

Supporting Others Through Self-Discovery

Talitha MacDonald's desire for change led her to Chico State and a career helping others through the Clinic for Communication Disorders.

Megan Foster is her USA Rugby uniform

United States National Rugby Team Starter and Former Chico State Star Hangs Up Her Cleats 

Megan Foster, whose rugby career began at Chico State and took her all the way to the United States National Team, recently retired.

Cassandra Schaeg is being filmed for her show, holding a glass of red wine with a sample.

Taking Bold Leaps Toward a Dream

Emmy Award winning alumnus Cassandra Schaeg shares insight from her long road to personal and business success in the beverage industry.

A portrait of Michele Thorpe taken in the offices of the North Valley Community Foundation.

Thorpe Leads Throng of Chico State Alumni Caring for Community Youth in Crisis

Chico State is producing great neighbors in the North State. One shining example: The North Valley Community Foundation’s CARE Team, created to connect struggling kids to caring adults and vital resources. The team, 16 deep, is led by alumna Michele Thorpe and includes 12 other Chico State grads.

Adrian Fontanelli poses for a portrait with a soccer ball between his left arm and hip.

Inspired by his Parents, Fontanelli Plays with Passion and Purpose

Chico State Men's Soccer Coach Felipe Restrepo says that teammates try to emulate Adrian Fontanelli because of his pride, joy, and passion. But Fontanelli says his work ethic comes from his parents, Carlos and Marcela.

Lizbeth Ceja poses with Willie the Wildcat during Wildcat Welcome

Fond Farewell: Criminal Justice Major Lizbeth Ceja Torres

Tenacious yet kind, hardworking and independent Lizbeth Ceja made an impression on everyone she met for her big heart and passion to succeed.