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Chico State

Excellence

Nate leans against a brick building

Business Double Major Embraces Role of Mentor

College of Business outstanding senior Nathaniel Nevels overcomes tragedy to thrive at Chico State.

Aubrey Miller holds a handful of tootbrush fibers in her hand in the concrete lab.

Students Set the Future in Concrete

Just one of five programs of its kind in the United States, our Concrete Industry Management Program is creating the workforce for a $200 billion industry. With a 100 percent job-placement rate and a cross-disciplinary approach that ensures our graduates can lead in the boardroom and at the job site, CIM students are solving some of the industry’s greatest challenges.

Benito Gutierrez stands among campus sculpture in his Class of 2022 shirt.

From Gang Life to College Graduate: Humanities Major Aspires to Help Incarcerated Students

Incarcerated for most of his adult life until age 42, Benny Gutierrez is proud to be graduating with a degree in humanities and having founded a program for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students.

Portrait of Leo Simpson

Psychology Major Defies the Odds

After battling depression, an eating disorder, and drug dependency, Leo Simpson finds hope at the end of their college journey.

Portrait of Angel Bliss and her 17-month-old son

Political Science Major Fulfills Her Potential

Leaving home at age 15 was a decision that perhaps saved Angel Bliss's life—today, the single mother continues the pursuit of her college degree.

Portrait of Sal Hernandez Rodriguez

Psychology Major Makes the Most of a Second Chance

After a life-altering choice landed him in legal trouble, Sal Hernandez Rodriguez is firmly on the road to earning a college degree.

Portrait of Rodaisha James

Asian Studies and Business Administration Major Reflects on a Promise Kept

A college degree was something that Rodaisha James' mother talked to her and her sister about before she passed away—now Rodaisha will graduate from Chico State with two degrees.

Photo collage of the four students featured in the story.

Promoting Achievement Through Hope

More than 23,000 children age out of the nation’s foster system annually—less than 3 percent of whom will earn a college degree in their lifetime. Every year, students in the University’s Promoting Achievement Through Hope Scholars program are reversing that narrative with the support of staff and their peers.

Selena Thao poses sitting on a couch with two yellow pillows on her either side.

Social Work Major Explores Students’ Sense of Belonging on Campus

Social work major Selena Thao uses infectious energy, strong empathy, and a justice approach to engage with others—particularly her fellow students.

Consuelo Baez Vega leans against a walnut tree in an orchard at University Farm

Plant and Soil Science Major Grounds Herself With Research

Consuelo Baez Vega cultivated a passion for research while working at the University Farm and several innovative projects with faculty.

Native American Artifacts in a glass case honor the Mechoopda Indian Tribe

CSU Appoints Collections Manager to Support Preservation of Native American Peoples’ Heritage, Artifacts, and Tribal Culture

The CSU has named Adriane Tafoya as its new project manager for the California Native American Graves and Repatriation Act.

Jonathan Gurrola

Nursing Alum Puts LGBTQ+ Patient Care Policy into Practice

Jonathan Gurrola takes school project from the classroom to the community to advocate for equality in health care.

Maurice Ledoyen stands in a white coat in a lab with equipment in his hands.

Student Fly-Fisherman Casts His Line into Researching Local Creeks

Ten years after leaving college, Maurice Ledoyen returned and is conducting research studying metal accumulation in aquatic organisms in creeks downstream of the Camp Fire.

BriSeiders stands in the middle of a hallway

Unexpected Super Bowl Star Set to Graduate

Bri Seiders, a Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management Major scheduled to graduate in spring 2022, made every event special during her four years at Chico State.

Erika Muniz

CAGD Student Models Success for Those Underserved in Her Field

First-generation student of color finds inspiration in close-knit family and campus CAGD community as she sets off for a new adventure after graduation.

Business students work at a computer with business tickers displayed above them.

Chico State’s New Bloomberg Terminal Offers Cutting-Edge Experience

The College of Business' new FinTech Lab is an investment research workroom and provide students with cutting-edge software and real-time trading observations.

A view of Kendall Hall at Chico State

Disability Rights Leader to be Celebrated with Honorary Doctorate

In the last 40 years, Sheikha Jameela bint Mohammed Al-Qasimi has created leading programs serving children with deafness and hearing issues, autism, and other cognitive and developmental disabilities.

The brick facade of an academic building with three arches in the front

Chico State Recognizes 2021–22 Outstanding Faculty

These awards—among the highest at CSU, Chico—celebrate the excellence of eight phenomenal faculty.

Theresa Adolph stands in front of shelves of Disney Characters

Alumna Helped Bring Disney’s Encanto Characters to Life

Chico State alumna Theresa Adolph (Applied Computer Graphics, ’06) worked as an animator on the critically acclaimed film, Encanto.

The sun sets behind an academic building.

University Among Nation’s Top Fulbright Scholar-Producing Higher Ed Institutions

With three scholars teaching and researching abroad, Chico State was acknowledged by the US Department of State as a national leader in higher education.

Kendall Hall sits under a fall early-evening sky.

Twelve Students Awarded Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarships

The award—one of the largest and most prestigious at Chico State—celebrates scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding academic and professional accomplishments.

Alycia Anderson sitting in wheelchair and smiling, holding up a denim jacket that reads, "See Me," on the back.

5 Questions with Alumna and Motivational Speaker Alycia Anderson

Alycia Anderson has used a wheelchair all her life. After a successful career in technology sales, she's pursuing a more personal passion—inspiring people to believe in their limitless potential.

A graphic image shows the Wildcat statue with the phrases, "Wildcats Do and Dare" and "Today Decides Tomorrow."

Wildcats Do and Dare

What might the world look like if, rather than wondering about some distant future, we took daily action toward the tomorrow of our dreams? Meet Wildcats who are doing exactly that.

Kendall Hall is framed by trees as a student walks up its entry path.

Fulbright Program Names Chico State to Prestigious List of National Higher-Education HSI Leaders

Chico State has been named a Fulbright HSI Leader in the designation’s inaugural year, and is one of just 35 higher education institutions nationwide to receive the honor.

An academic building sits in the early evening sun with colorful clouds swirling behind.

Chico State Excellence Reflected in US News & World Report Rankings

In its Best Colleges Rankings for 2022, US News & World Report recognized Chico State has made another exceptional showing.

Kym Crosby kisses her bronze medal during the medal ceremony for the 400M at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

Crosby Captures 2 Medals in Tokyo and the Hearts of ‘Cats Back Home

Paralympian goes back-to-back bronze in the 100 meters and earns her first 400-meter podium.

Streamers fall to the ground as masters graduates celebrate their Commencement.

Chico State Climbs in Washington Monthly’s Annual National and Regional Rankings

Washington Monthly recognized Chico State in its annual rankings—in "Best Bang for the Buck" and "Master's University Rankings."

Kym Crosby holds a sprinting stance.

How to Watch Alumna Kym Crosby Compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

One of the best in the world in her competition category, alumna Kym Crosby will represent the Wildcats on a global stage at the Paralympics.

"Today Decides Tomorrow" is read on the Kendall Hall building

CSU, Chico Awards President’s Scholarships to Four Incoming Freshmen

Four incoming freshmen with outstanding academic and extra-curricular resumes were awarded $30,000 CSU, Chico Presidential Scholarships.

Kym Crosby crosses a finish link on a track

Alumna Kym Crosby Readies To Run for Team USA at 2021 Paralympics

A bronze medalist in Rio in 2016, Kym Crosby ('17) claimed the 100- and 400-meter titles at the US Paralympic Trials. She heads to Tokyo in August.

Lee Altier stands among the plants in the aquaponics garden at the University Farm

Professor Receives Fulbright Scholar Award To Teach and Study Agricultural Best Practices in Turkey

Lee Altier is taking nearly 40 years of farming expertise to Ege University in Izmir, Turkey to focus on agroecology.

Kendall Hall is framed in the light of a sunset.

CSU, Chico Recognizes 2020–21 Outstanding Faculty

These awards—among the highest at CSU, Chico—celebrate the excellence of eight phenomenal faculty.

Jesse Dizard stands on an open ridge in the foothills in front of a wooden pole with clothes and hats hanging from it.

Anthropology Professor Selected for Prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award

Jesse Dizard is interested in how natural resource management—or lack thereof—impacts individuals, subcultures and bureaucracies. In Jordan, he'll be studying impacts of its water scarcity crisis.

Sean Nies uses a paintbrush to brush soil away from mastodon teeth.

Unearthing California’s Prehistoric Past

Geological and environmental sciences students and faculty are assisting on one of the biggest paleontological finds in state history.

Jordan Beach smiles while inspecting a wooden skyscraper model

Jordan Beach Shook Up the Chico State Civil Engineering Department

As an outstanding student, tutor, club leader, and mentor, Jordan Beach shook up Civil Engineering at Chico State.

Edward Berdan smiles and leans against a wall.

Diversity Fellow Finds Niche in AAPI Politics

As a master’s student in political science, Edward Berdan has bloomed into a scholar destined to change the study of AAPI politics.

Brian Brazeal wears a helmet with a headlamp in a dark mine shaft.

Anthropology Professor Chosen for Prestigious Fulbright Scholar Award

Anthropology professor Brian Brazeal is Chico State's own Indiana Jones— and was recently awarded a Fulbright award.

Natsumi Kawamura performs a dance routine as Megan Glynn Zollinger films on an iPhone.

Dance Students Rediscover Groove in Virtual Collaboration

The CSU Dance Collective, cofounded by Professor Megan Glynn Zollinger, has not only kept dance alive at Chico State during the pandemic, it’s transformed collaboration and creativity for students, faculty, and campuses alike.

A college student smiles while holding a country's flag.

Chico State’s Study Abroad Program Once Again Recognized as One of Nation’s Best

For the 15th consecutive year, Chico State's Study Abroad program was ranked in the top 10 nationally for students learning in another country for at least a year.

Kendall Hall sits under partly cloudy skies.

Eleven Students Awarded Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarships

The award—one of the largest and most prestigious at Chico State—celebrates scholarship, extracurricular activities, and outstanding academic and professional accomplishments.