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.

The sixth annual Joy of Learning takes place virtually at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 13. This teach-in is a signature showcase designed to energize and excite the curious about the academic wonders happening at Chico State and is proudly a part of Wildcat Weekend.

Those interested in watching in person may do so in the Recital Hall in the Arts and Humanities Building. You can also watch it live on the Chico State livestream page. The full event will be archived on the Joy of Learning webpage shortly afterwards.

Hosted by Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Terence Lau, Joy of Learning highlights some of the University’s extraordinary faculty as they give short presentations on why they are so passionate about their disciplines. The presentations begin after remarks from Chico State President Steve Perez, Interim Provost Lau and Associated Students President Autumn Alaniz-Wiggins.

This year’s lineup of 11 faculty presenters stands tall in their respective fields as some of the finest educators at Chico State and are electrified to share the joy of learning. The Meriam Library and Undergraduate Education and Academic Success join the University’s seven colleges with presentations this year.

Thomas Henderson

Operation Launch Point: Providing Students a Platform to Reach New Heights

Henderson shares how his first mentor taught him the importance of “failing forward” and how faculty can utilize this in their classrooms to launch their students into transformative experiences. He is a faculty member in the College of Agriculture and has taught at Chico State since 2018. He earned his PhD from Oregon State University, and MS and BS from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Martin van den Berg

A Cognitive Science Reminder to be Mindful of Your Mind

What exactly is the mind? Van den Berg breaks down the cognitive processes happening in our heads and shows how impressive it all is. He is a faculty member in the Psychology Department and has taught at Chico State since 2013 and served as department chair since 2022. He earned his PhD from University of Virginia and his MA and BA from Leiden University.

Jaebong “JB” Son

Tweeting Through Disasters: How Do Emojis Shape Communication on Twitter?

Son digs into how social media and emojis have altered the way we communicate about disasters. He is a faculty member in the Information Systems, Finance and Accounting Department and has taught at Chico State since 2017. He earned his PhD from the University of Colorado, Boulder, his MS degrees from the University of Arizona and Korea University and BBA from Konkuk University.

Jesse Engebretson

Thinking Outside the Classroom

Engebretson highlights how the definition of a “classroom” has expanded through online and field-based learning, and shaken up the pedagogical “snow globe” for the better. Engebretson is a faculty member in the Recreation, Hospitality and Parks Management Department and has taught at Chico State since 2020. He earned his PhD from Oregon State University, his MA from the University of Kent, and BA and BS from University of Minnesota.

Zahrasadat Alavi

A Personal Journey into the World of Machine Learning and AI

Alavi shares her educational background and how all her extensive knowledge has brought her to the forefront of technology such as AI, machine learning and deep neural networks. She is a faculty member in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and has taught at Chico State since 2017. She earned her PhD and MS at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and MS and BS from Amirkabir University of Technology.

Gloria Lopez

Making History Matter

Historians are often asked why history matters. Lopez spotlights how culturally and socially important history is to us through our stories. She has been a faculty member in the History Department at Chico State since 2022. She earned her PhD from Indiana University, MA from Cal State, Fullerton, and BA from CSU Dominguez Hills.

Hyewon and Joseph Pechkis

Ultracold Atoms: The Coolest Stuff in the Universe

Together, Hyewon and Joseph will showcase the amazing Ultracold Atom Lab and how cutting-edge science takes place right here at Chico State. They are both in the Physics Department and have taught at Chico State since 2016. Hyewon earned her PhD and MS at University of Connecticut, and BA from Catholic University of Korea. Joseph earned his PhD, MA and BA from University of Connecticut.

Michelle Mussuto and Stefani Baldivia

Bringing Everyone In: Meriam Library Beyond Books

Mussuto and Baldivia reveal some of the amazing technology available to students and faculty in the Meriam Library. Mussuto serves as Chico State’s Agriculture, Natural Sciences and Sustainability librarian since 2022, and Baldivia is the University’s Equity and Outreach librarian and has been at Chico State since 2016. Mussuto earned her Master’s in Information Studies from McGill University in Québec and BS from University of California, Davis. Baldivia earned her MLIS from San José State University and BA from Humboldt State University.

Kim Jaxon

The Impact of Undergraduate Research on Learning and Identity

Jaxon’s talk will showcase several of our incredible research projects happening at Chico State, what they entail and how students can get involved. She is a faculty member in the English Department and acts as the Undergraduate Research Coordinator for Undergraduate Education and Academic Success. Jaxon has taught at Chico State since 2005. She earned her PhD from University of California, Berkeley, and her MA and BA from Chico State.

To see previous Joy of Learning events, an archive of the prior presentations is available.