Excellence

The sun sets behind a line of dairy cows as they snack on hay on a University Farm

Chico State’s CRARS Awarded Nearly $6 Million to Address Climate Priorities

Chico State’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems has received a California Climate Action Seed and Matching Grant totaling approximately $6 million to support state climate priorities.

A group of students show excitement and stand in front of a banner that reads 'Wildcat Welcome.' There are bleachers and some students in the background.

Tips for your first year at Chico State

Check out this list of tips to help you navigate your first year at Chico State and make the most of your college experience.

An academic building on a college campus as the morning sun breaks through

Chico State Excels in Money Magazine’s ‘Best of 2023’ Rankings

Chico State continues making its mark on national rankings, including the most recent from Money magazine.

Tami Henriksen smiles while sitting at her desk

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.

A drone photograph shows a late-spring sunset shining through Trinity Hall.

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's COEDI award honorees are photographed together holding their certificates up.

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.

Trinity Hall's bell tower is visible through a cluster of spring blossoms.

Five Faculty Recognized with Professional Achievement Honors

Faculty from across the University are recognized for their research, scholarly contributions, and excellence in academia.

Professor Garrett Liles holds samples of soil in each hand. He is standing at a table inside the soil sampling area of the regenerative agriculture lab.

Inside the ‘RAD-Lab’: Looking to the Ground for Solutions

The Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration (RAD) Lab began as an idea in grad school, and is now full service lab analyzing soil and carbon health.

Alt text: Treyton Wood works on the Baja vehicle, wearing safety goggles.

Off-Road Vehicle Club Drives Mechanical Engineering Major Toward His Dream Career

Treyton Wood has devoted the last five years of his undergraduate experience to national competition of off-road vehicles. As a real-world, hands-on learning experience, it was foundational for his education.

Raquel Krach sits on a rock wall with trees and shrubs in the background.

Grad Student Farmer Grows Case for Marrying Agriculture With the Natural World

With her master’s thesis—a collaborative effort to study the effects of agroecology on her almond farm—Chico State graduate student Raquel Krach confirmed what the birds have been telling her. It’s working!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

An artist rendering of the exterior of a new building

Chico State Receives Transformational Gift to Support New College of Business Building

Alum Jon Krabbenschmidt (Business Administration, ’76) wants to see Glenn Hall become a state-of-the-art building for business students—and he is committing a pair of $5 million toward its construction.

Elizabeth “Eli” Contreras-Perez (left) talks with Joel Ramirez, TRIO Project Director, about the support and a sense of belonging Contreras-Perez received in a program called TRIO Student Support Services.

Graduating Public Health Student Embraces Support and Grows Through Challenges

First-gen student, Elizabeth “Eli” Contreras-Perez, has navigated many personal struggles on her path to graduating, finding newfound resilience, and beginning a new chapter in life.

Sophia Hoffman is photographed against a brick wall.

Chico State Freshman Impresses Coaches on The Voice

Sophia Hoffman overcame a processing disorder to make it to Chico State—now she is turning heads on international television.

We are looking at headshots of all of the Lt. Rawlins Merit Award recipients for 2023. Top row: Chloe Koschnick, Delaney Sarantopulos, Hannah Scholzen, Josephine Hernandez, Kristen Chatham, Kyle Mason Bottom row: Madeline Litman, Manraj Randhawa, Peyton Arnold, Stephanie Gaito, Theodore Greenfield, Yanetli Navarro-Hernandez

Celebrating Our Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipients

From aspiring educators and future doctors to those currently serving rural communities, these are the 2022-23 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipients—the best of the best at Chico State.

Delaney Sarantopulos poses in a blue suit.

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 Chloe Koschnick: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Whether advocating for inclusivity and accessibility in STEM or living her values through community service in education and with animals, computer science major Chloe Koschnick approaches all she does with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Animal Science Student Josephine Hernandez

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.

Madeline Litman, one of the 2022-2023 recipients of the Lieutenant Robert Merton Rawlins Merit Award, is photographed.

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.

Civil Engineering Student Hannah Scholzen

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 Alumni Thomas Butler, Marti Sutton, Kimate Richards, Haley Willis, Rick Callender, Armando Ibarra Jr., Melanie Mello, and Roy Beck (left to right) take a group photo on Friday, March 3, 2023 in Chico, Calif.

Celebrating Our 2023 Distinguished Alumni

From working on cancer treatments to advocating for farmworkers to teaching human kindness through language, the 2023 Distinguished Alumni have chosen to "Do and Dare" in a big way.

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.

Hannah Hull photographed standing with trees and a rainbow structure in the background.

‘Living my dream’: Chico State Alumna Forges Path in Hollywood

Hannah Hull (Media Arts, '20) shares about her "wild ride" from Chico State to Hollywood, where she's been working on sets of films and television shows.

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.

Distinguished alum, CEO, and scientist, Thomas Butler

Distinguished Alum, Scientist, and CEO Thomas Butler

Thomas Butler found his passion in a Chico State lab. Today, he's the CEO of a company creating medicines designed to attack cancer and diabetes.

Introducing Kristen Chatham: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Business administration and marketing double major Kristen Chatham aspires to become an officer at a corporation after she graduates.

Distinguished Alum and Strategic Architect Kimate Richards

Veteran and alum Kimate Richards designs cutting-edge smart technology while making time to give back to his community.