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Programs

Vern Andrews conversing with students in his "Hip-Hop Culture" class fall 2019.

Contemporary Class ‘Hip-Hops’ Towards the Spotlight

Students take a hard look at the history, music, and societal issues behind hip-hop culture.

Katia Samoilova talks at a table filled with video game controllers with video games on screens behind her.

New Class Explores Philosophy Through Video Games

Students experience and examine philosophers' struggles through popular entertainment form.

Groundbreakers

Four faculty discuss their current research and how they aspire to change the world.

The WREC sign is illuminated at night, with views of the workout equipment visible through the windows.

WREC Celebrates 10 Years of Student Wellness

With an anniversary celebration planned for October 10, the center honors a decade of fitness and wellness.

An illustration depicting five student faces and the words "The Changing Face of Chico State"

The Changing Face of Chico State

Today, Chico State is home to more identities and expressions than ever. Yet, “first gen” is one of the fastest-rising identity markers. The University is focused now more than ever to ensure they achieve their dreams—no matter how high they are set.

People climb the exterior staircase of the new building, as seen through the steel-framed walls.

Future of Science Takes Shape

After breaking ground 12 months ago, work on the new physical sciences complex is steadily underway, with landmark progress happening on a near-daily basis.

Molly Downtain stands on the field during the Wold Cup celebration.

US Women’s Soccer’s Star Behind the Scenes

Former Wildcat Molly Downtain (Kinesiology, '12) no longer plays competitive soccer, but her job with the US Soccer Federation puts her shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's best players.

Wildcat Welcome Invites Students to Rise Up and Roar

We're off to a great start in 2019! With move-in and the Big "C" photo kicking off Wildcat Welcome, plenty of exciting events still remain.

Jackie Rodriguez adjusts a trail camera mounted to a tree by a strap.

‘Adopt An Acre’ Catches Critters on Camera

With support from the Adopt An Acre program, student researchers are using trail cameras to get a snapshot of the wildlife that roams the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve.

Educators from around the world pose outside Modoc Hall.

Global Educators Learn About US Culture

Chico State hosted 20 educators from 20 different countries this summer as part of a five-week professional development institute.

A box signed by Jim Morris sits in the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry.

Message on a Box: Chico State Alum Helps Feed Today’s Wildcats

Student employees at the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry were unpacking a food delivery when they came across a hand-written note on one of the boxes. Who was JBM?

A great horned owl flaps its wings.

Lending a Helping Wing

After an owlet experienced an unsuccessful first flight, Facilities Management and Services flocked to help our feather friend take to the skies.

The Wildcat Statue stands proudly in Wildcat Plaza during spring evening.

Worth Sharing: CCAA Honors Men’s Golf Team

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

Children throw parachute toys off a ledge for Imagineer Day.

Imagineer Day Stirs Young STEM Minds

Led by the Society of Women Engineers, Chico State hosted more than 220 local K-8 students at its seventh annual Imagineer Day.

Alisha Sharma addresses incoming students at Wildcat Welcome.

Lifting Up Others Through Self-Discovery

Alisha Sharma cultivated a love for new experiences at Chico State—and discovered a talent for leadership along the way.

Karin Wells shines a flashlight into a burnt vehicle enshrouded in darkness from smoke with the text "The Search for What Remains" imposed bove

The Search for What Remains

Leading the nation's largest recovery effort since 9/11, Chico State's Human Identification Laboratory responded to the Camp Fire for the crucial, yet daunting task of searching for human remains.

Faculty Ashley Kendell (left) and P. Willey (right) work in the Anthropology Department Human Identification Laboratory.

Finding Answers Through Forensics

The Human Identification Laboratory's faculty members operate the most experienced forensic lab west of Texas, providing vital information on dozens of homicides, traumas, and cold cases every year.

Miliah Haslerig types on a laptop at the Career Fair.

With Alumni Donations, Business Students Dress the Part

Dressing to impress can be a struggle for qualified but cash-strapped business students seeking jobs. That's where the Professional Attire Fund comes in.

Students walk near the on-campus student housing buildings.

Options Abound in Hunt for Student Housing

University Housing officials say opportunities are plentiful for housing for new and returning Chico State students during the 2019–20 academic year.

Alex Grant looks into the viewfinder of a camera as he records a press conference.

Next-Level News

In the crisis of the Camp Fire, The Orion reporters were not only learning the job on the fly, but providing critical updates to their community.

Anita stands behind the cut-glass trophy with one arm each around Milton Lang and Gayle Hutchinson.

Barker Named NACDA Athletic Director of the Year for Second Time

Anita Barker named a national Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year for the second time in her tenure leading Wildcat Athletics.

Chico State professor Joel Zimbleman stands with a group of monks during his time teaching overseas.

Faculty Go Global

More Chico State faculty regularly apply and teach abroad than any other higher education institution in the nation. And they bring back lifelong memories, as well as ways to reinvigorate their teaching at Chico State.

Stars shine above Trinity Hall.

Fond Farewell: Philanthropist and Honorary Doctorate Recipient Steve Nettleton

Steve Nettleton, known for his generous service to the community, was the second in the University’s history to earn an honorary doctorate.

Students pose with Willie the Wildcat mascot

Chico State’s Top Social Media Moments of 2018

Check out some of our favorite social media memories from the past year.

A student helps a young boy make a Christmas tree out of green pipecleaners.

Planting Hope, Harvesting Joy

For their final project, "Agricultural Leadership" students raised more than $35,000 in toys, blankets, backpacks, gift cards, and other gifts for schools and families directly impacted by the Camp Fire.

Two hands hold an Army cap, which contains two dog tags, an American flag patch, and tags reading "Lewis" and "U.S. Army."

Who Helps the Heroes?

For help acclimating to civilian life and a college world starkly different from their military service, veteran students seek support from those who understand them best: other veterans.

Damion Lewis jumps to catch a soccer ball during a photoshoot

Wildcat Keeper Finds His Place on the Pitch

As one of the finest goalkeepers in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, Chico State’s Damion Lewis is a study in contrast.

Overhead view of children chopping vegetables on cutting boards

Chico State’s Center for Healthy Communities Help Kids Get Cookin’

A dash of laughter, and sprinkle of uncertainty, and a generous helping of teamwork were on the menu this day, during the Get Cookin' summer camp run by Chico State's Center For Healthy Communities.

Three men in protective eyewear do laser testing over a table.

Physics Research Institute Examines Space and Time

From using laser pulses to study reactions in unfathomably small time periods, to examining how stars behave over incredibly long ones, physics undergraduate researchers explored the universe this summer.

Students pose with Willie the Wildcat mascot

Wildcat Welcome: Turning Students into Wildcats

This past week has been a wild one, as we welcomed roughly 2,300 first year students and transfer Wildcats to campus.

a group of four faculty gather around a lit lightbulb

Lighting the Way: 30 New Faculty Join Campus

Thirty new faculty were welcomed to campus this fall, each hoping to spark ideas and light the way for their students. View the gallery of new faculty.

Yee Yang holds up some of the food that the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry provides nutritious food, CalFresh food program assistance and referral services for students experiencing food insecurity.

“My Goal is to End Poverty”

Through her work with the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, graduate student Yee Yang wants to ensure her peers' basic needs are met.

Engineering students frame up a section of the Caper Acres playground.

Students Restore Spirit of Caper Acres

A team of interdisciplinary students devoted nine months and 2,744 volunteer hours to rehabilitate Caper Acres, an iconic children's playground in Chico. Watch the video.

President Gayle Hutchinson laughs with graduate students Valerie Sgheiza and Mallory Peters as they stand on a dock on the Sacramento River.

Finding Answers in the River

An interdisciplinary team of Chico State faculty and graduate students conduct research on the Sacramento River to establish predictable patterns in drowning cases and create an app to aid law enforcement in decreasing recovery time.

The inside of a VR viewer headset as it's prepared to be placed on the head, from the photographer's perspective.

VR Class Brews up a Hit with Big-Name Partner

To further prove virtual and augmented reality's place in University curriculum, a new collaborative class partnered with a Chico legend: the world-renowned craft brewery Sierra Nevada.

Devon Saul instructs his students in basketball at the annual Ability First Sports Camp, a sports and recreation instructional summer camps for children ages 8 to 17 with physical disabilities. Chico State plays host to many of the camp events and faculty and its Department of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management provides staffing support for the camp.

Ability First Educates and Empowers Through Sports Instruction

Since its inception on 1987, Ability First Sports has developed into one of the country’s premier sports and recreation instructional summer camps for children ages 8 to 17 with physical disabilities.

The women sit in a circle talking during the weekly meeting.

Supporting Well Women

The launch of the weekly Women’s Circle this spring brought together a group of students looking to become even better versions of themselves—better students, better leaders, and better friends.

Graduating students sit facing the stage as their decorative graduation caps are displayed.

Chico State Terrific Titles of 2018

With the end of the 2017-2018 year rapidly approaching, and the swirl of the spring semester struggle muddying your memory, it seems only right to recap what our Wildcats accomplished this year.

A close-up of the statue's face.

The (Wild)Cat is Out of the Bag!

On April 19, 2018, Chico State celebrated its inaugural Wildcat Spirit Day with the unveiling of something "wild": a bronze Wildcat statue!

Students show off metal and paper straw alternatives

Get Ready: Chico State is Going Strawless

Chico State goes through 130,000 plastic straws every year. Starting April 23, these single-use items will be no longer be sold on campus.