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President Hutchinson addresses an enthusiastic crowd with arms outstretched.

Reflections on Retirement

University President Gayle Hutchison reflects on her storied tenure as Chico State's top official, during her final semester.

Streamers shoot from atop a stage during an evening Commencement ceremony

The Big Moment: Commencement Ceremonies at Chico State Begin Wednesday Night

Chico State Commencement kick off on Wednesday night with the first of seven ceremonies.

Eric Angerer swings a baseball bat in the right-handed batter's box

Baseball Alum Leans Into His Legacy 

Chico State Baseball alumnus Eric Angerer reflects on holding the program's all-time record for times hit-by-pitch.

portrait of Deserea Langley

Crash Course: American Indian Storytelling

Deserea Langley’s “American Indian Storytelling/Oral Narrative” course is bringing the oral tradition of sharing stories, lessons, and customs with younger generations to students.

The entrance to the Meriam Library is filled with students walking to and from class or the library itself.

Meriam Library Secures $1 Million Planned Gift to Support Its Amenities, Facilities and Opportunities for Decades to Come

An anonymous donor has gifted $1 million to the library in recognition of its role in supporting students throughout the duration of their college experience.

We're looking at a bright graphic illustration of an open suitcase. Inside, we see the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, an airplane, a Chico State Wildcat statue, and the clock tower of Trinity Hall.

Passport to Self-Discovery

Since 2016, approximately 1,600 Wildcats have studied abroad at one of 200 locations across 35 countries. Students share their stories from both flight paths.

Victoria Villasenor poses in a white sweater and jeans, holding a Uruguayan flag across her lap.

Journeys of Self-Discovery to Uruguay and Cuba

For Victoria Villaseñor, breaking away from routine and predictability was part of the experience she wanted during two experiences abroad.

Aishwarya Gowda poses against a brick pillar on campus, wearing a white shirt and jeans.

Bollywood Dance Club Founder Finds a Sense of Home at Chico State  

In two years, International student Aishwarya Gowda has already made her mark on campus. To her, the biggest impact has been finding herself and her community here on campus.

Haeryong Cheong is photographed against a facebrick wall, wearing a black seater.

Embracing Chico State’s Welcoming Student Atmosphere

Haeryeong Cheong, who came to Chico State from South Korea to study animal science, reflects on his journey over the last three years.

Hikmat Abou Shahla sits on a concrete barrier under a tree, dressed in jeans and a plaid shirt.

Molecular Biology Student Turns ‘Beautiful Disasters’ into Lifelong Call to Service

Hikmat Abou Shahla has spent his formative years stepping up to help during seasons of global crisis. He is set to graduate and continue on the path of service.

Mark Arey poses at a restaurant with fellow students from South Korea.

International Relations Senior Makes the Most of Debut Trip to South Korea

When Mark Arey's dream of visiting Japan was put on hold during the pandemic, he embraced a year-long journey to Seoul and thrived during his first international trip.

Humberto Partida poses by leaning on the hand railing outside Trinity Hall, wearing a brown leather jacket and a blue shirt.

Graduating Senior Follows ‘Role Model’s’ Footsteps to Florence, Italy

Harnessing a long-held desire to travel, political science and international relations major, Humberto Partida, made his own dream come true by studying in Florence, Italy for a semester.

An academic building with grass in the foreground in the dusk hours of spring

Worth Sharing: Chico State Trio Acknowledged as ‘Women of Distinction’

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

We're looking at a red pattern with the words: 'Let's Play Wildcat Trivia' written in blue letters across a white bubble.

It’s Wildcat Trivia Time!

Think you're a smarty ’Cat? Test your knowledge of all things campus-related in this season's inaugural Wildcat Trivia challenge.

A student shakes a hand of a potential employer at a career fair on campus.

How To: Nail that Next Job or Promotion

Whether you are a student, young alum, or seasoned professional, the Career Center offers services for life to help you advance in your career.

Women's basketball player Myli Martinez poses for a photo inside a gymnasium. She is holding a basketball with both hands to her right.

Wildcats’ Triple Threat: Myli Martinez

Basketball player Myli Martinez's three-point bombs have placed her in the program's record books.

Kendall Hall is photographed at dusk, illuminated by soft lights against a cobalt blue sky.

Class Notes: Spring 2023

Whether it's starting a new business, writing a book, or achieving a lifelong dream, the Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. Alumni share professional and personal updates for spring 2023.

Standing in full regalia on stage, President Hutchinson extends her arms out toward the audience at a Commencement ceremony.

Path to Prominence

In 2016, Gayle Hutchinson began her presidential term with an ambitious punch list. Having checked off almost everything during the last seven years, she prepares to begin another chapter.

Hirra Khan is photographed outside of Kendall Hall. She wears a white cotton shirt and a tan Hijab.

Business Double Major Ready for Life’s Next Big Challenge

More than 10 years ago, Hirra Khan moved from Pakistan to Gridley as a pre-teen. She will now graduate with one degree in business administration and another in business information systems, and an impressive work résumé.

Jaylen Kruth (left) stands behind a counter as she accepts a purchase by Josh Rodriguez (right) who is using his EBT card to pay. There are a variety of snacks on the counter.

Expanded CalFresh Eligibility Brings Food Access to More Chico State Students

More Chico State students can now qualify for CalFresh benefits to access food, thanks to expanded eligibility requirements.

students stare up at a screen in a planetarium

Worth Sharing: Health Services Administration College Bowl Team Scores Wins

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

Zion Brigham on a bridge over Big Chico Creek with lush greenery behind him.

Life of Hard Work Pays Off for Agricultural Business Major

Zion Brigham says coming to Chico State: “felt like going from a black and white TV to full color.” He graduates in May with an agricultural business degree and a clear vision for what’s ahead.

A tall brick building glows in the late afternoon sunshine with trees in the foreground.

Fond Farewell: Retired Librarian Joel Leonard

With a strong personality and a lot of joy, Joel Leonard embraced his job as librarian as one with a primary mission of supporting students.

Framed portraits of families that are part of a generation of Wildcat alumni and students that portray the Chico State Wildcat family tree for a feature story in the Chico Statements magazine on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 in Chico, Calif.

Rooted in Connection: The Wildcat Family Tree

Attending college is a significant milestone for any student, but for many, enrolling at Chico State is both a personal achievement and a family tradition.

Crossed Paths Lead Back to Chico

Recreation Administration majors Suzy and Paul McCreary fell in love at Chico State, and they built their lives around their shared love for their school and giving back.

a family of 10 siblings pose standing and sitting

Degrees of Hope and Opportunity

The patriarch of the Yang family wanted to see all of his children earn college degrees. All 10 of them did from Chico State.

Mother hugs her son while they pose for a photo.

Mother, Son Turned Classmates Learn From Each Other

Kevin LaCombe and Evone LaCombe were overlapping kinesiology students for two semesters—an experience the mother and son called unique and inspiring.

Twin sisters embrace on a bench. One is sitting on the bench while the other sits on the arm rest and places her arms around her sisters shoulders.

Identical Twins Follow Different Dreams

Relying on each other for support, Vanessa and Viviana Mendoza discover their own identity in college.

Three men pose for a photo on a soccer field, while the man in the middle holds a memorial plaque in his hands.

Pitch-Perfect Wildcats

Thirteen sets of siblings have donned the cardinal and white of the Wildcats, and the men's soccer program’s legacy is becoming intergenerational.

portrait of Abigail Resendez

Child Development Major Owes Success to Her Grandmother

Overcoming obstacles and adversity as a child, Abigail Resendez is ready to graduate with a degree in child development—and it was her grandmother who helped make it possible.

The sun sets behind an academic building.

Chico State Recognizes 2022–23 Outstanding Faculty

These awards—among the highest at Chico State—celebrate eight phenomenal faculty for academic distinction, prominent scholarship, and commitment to transformative experiences.

A book, titled "How the Word is Passed," sits on a ledge

Deep Look into America’s Relationship with Slavery Named Book in Common for 2023-24

Confronting America's legacy of slavery, the selection for the 2023-24 Book in Common is Clint Smith's “How the Word is Passed.”

Advisor Jaycob Arbogast and students work in the College of Business' FinTech lab.

Student-Managed Investment Fund Takes on a Bull Market 

The College of Business' Student Managed Investment Fund is giving students real-life opportunities to test money investment strategies.

Gaby Saxon poses in the costume shop, where she works.

Soon-to-be Theatre Arts Graduate Has Played a Starring Role Offstage

Gaby Saxon has spent four years at Chico State telling outstanding stories, all while using her growing voice and passion for social justice to create one of the most compelling stories of all—her own!

Marin Spalding, left, and Marcus Peoples, on the right, sit side-by-side in a classroom with laptops opened in front of them. Both are dressed in formal clothing, smiling widely and clearly amused.

Students Travel, Grow, and Build Friendships Through Speech and Debate Team

The speech and debate team, which doubles as a club and a course, offers team members space to grow far beyond the competition stage.

Public relations major Skylar Trostinsky is photographed on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Chico, Calif. Originally from the East Coast, Skylar is president of Chico State’s Envy dance team, works as a copy editor at the NorCal Design Center, and is general manager of Tehama Group Communications (TGC).

Journalism Major Finds Career Path to Write Her Own Future

A love of writing led Skylar Trostinsky to journalism and Tehama Group Communications, where she’s honing her skills and paving the way for a successful career in PR.

A brick-laden academic building in the sunshine

Worth Sharing: Chico State Model UN Wins Outstanding Delegation Award

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

Irene Duran poses in high visibility safety gear and a hard hat on Iselin Dock in Woods Hole.

From Northern California to Ocean Engineer

Gridley native Irene Duran (Mechatronic Engineering, '20), moved to Cape Cod after graduating with one mission: an engineering job.

Rio Miner poses for the camera with a colleague in a corporate conference room.

In the Midst of a Successful Career of Catching Bad Guys, Military Vet Pursues Online MBA

After a long and successful career first in the military and then the financial industry, Rio Miner enrolled in Chico State's online MBA program to further his career and fill in the gaps in his business acumen.

Mateus Avalos, wearing a black polo shirt and khaki pants, sits on a bench in front of a brick building for a posed photo.

Construction Management Student Gets Solid Start to Future

Senior construction management major Mateus Avalos went from novice to leader in the program—securing three internships and helping lead community service projects in his hometown of Chico.