Awards and Honors

Three students laugh and smile as the walk down the promenade of campus.

National Honor Awarded to Chico State Program That Advances the Number of Latinx Students Earning Graduate Degrees

Chico State's Graduate Equity Fellowship Program has been recognized by the nation’s leading authority on efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education.

Curved arches on a building on a college campus

Chico State Celebrated in US News & World Report’s 2024 Rankings

With a pair of top 10 rankings and another three in the top 25, Chico State is firmly recognized as one of the top higher education institutions in the West region in the 2024 US News & World Report’s Best College Rankings.

Kendall Hall with spring flowers in the foreground

California State University Honored with Innovation Award for Faculty Learning Community Led by Chico State Professor

Geography and Planning professor Mark Stemen has been honored by a national organization for his tireless work to bring sustainability to more than just science classes.

Thomas DuSell stands next to the larger, lighted stop sign he pushed to have installed at the crosswalk along Warner Street and Ivy Street. The science building is in the background.

Celebrating Thomas DuSell: Campus Safety Award Winner, and So Much More

When he noticed a thorny traffic issue, Chico State Rose Garden specialist Thomas DuSell lobbied for an important change that would keep students and staff safe.

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.

Rosemary White stands with an arm around the Wildcat Statue in Wildcat Plaza

Celebrating Rosemary White: 2022’s Wildcat Spirit Award Winner

Known across campus as "Ms. Positive Attitude," Rosemary White has spent over twenty years making Chico State a better place to learn, teach, and grow.

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.

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Chico State’s MBA Program Continues to Receive Global Recognition in CEO Magazine

Chico State has once again been recognized as one of the top business schools around the world with an MBA program.

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.

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.

A crape myrtle flowers in front of an academic building.

Chico State Announces 2023 Faculty and Staff Hall of Honor Inductees

Chico State announced tickets are now available for its 2023 Hall of Honors ceremony. The Hall of Honor recognizes the “best of the best” of the University’s retired faculty and staff.

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 Alum and Retired Agriculture Educator Roy Beck

Roy Beck put himself through college by working at the University Farm. He went on to teach agricultural education for 42 years and still advocates on behalf of his beloved discipline.

Portrait of Theodore Greenfield who is wearing sunglasses, and a blue button up dress shirt.

Introducing Theodore Greenfield: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Theodore Greenfield, a father of two and elementary school band instructor, hopes to become a high school math teacher to share his love for the subject.

Introducing Kyle Mason: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Fueled by a passion for science, first-generation student Kyle Mason is living out his life's dream and earning a college degree.

Portrait of Yanetli Navarro Hernandez, who is wearing blue top while her arms rest on a stool.

Introducing Yanetli Navarro-Hernandez: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Construction Industry Management student Yanetli Navarro-Hernandez wants to be a role model and encourage more women to pursue careers in construction management.

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.

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.

Manraj Singh Randhawa poses in a gray suit.

Introducing Manraj Singh Randhawa: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Nursing student Manraj Singh Randhawa has a grand vision for his life. The Yuba City Sikh community, the Chico State School of Nursing, and more, are reaping the benefits of that vision.

Stephanie Gaito leans on a stool and smiles

Introducing Stephanie Gaito: 2023 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipient

Social work master’s student Stephanie Gaito (Social Work, ’22) is passionate about serving rural areas and giving them the proper representation they deserve.

Gretta Kirkby and two of her fellow interns pose in gloves, lab coats, masks, and face shields.

Student-Athlete Captures CalHOPE Courage Award

Gretta Kirkby, winner of the CalHOPE Courage Award, is using the opportunity to remind her peers to reach out for help if they need it.

Professor Mark Stemen poses for a photo with Chico State President Gayle Hutchin as they hold the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Campus Sustainability Achievement Award.

Chico State Professor Helps Reshape How CSUs Teach About Climate Change

Chico State Professor Mark Stemen's Faculty Learning Community earns coveted sustainability award for helping CSUs integrate climate change topics in classrooms.

A brass plaque is affixed to a brick pillar with a building and trees in the background.

University Faculty Awarded Prestigious Lantis Endowments

Chico State faculty shine as three professors are celebrated for their achievements in research and contributions to their fields.

A college journalist is working with a notepad in front of him and in front of a computer screen.

The Orion Honored by the Associated Collegiate Press

The Orion, Chico State’s student news organization, was recognized as one of the top 100 student publications in the nation by Associated Collegiate Press.

Provost Debra Larson stands in front of a microphone in regalia

Chico State Provost Inducted into Michigan Tech’s Academy for Engineering Education Leadership

Chico State's Debra Larson has been inducted into Michigan Tech's Academy for Engineering Education Leadership.

Isaiah Henderson poses in front of a brick wall

Kinesiology Grad Student and Former Marine Honored with CSU Trustees’ Award

Isaiah Henderson, a kinesiology grad student and veteran, will receive the 2022-23 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.

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

Chico State Awards President’s Scholarships to Five Incoming Freshmen

Chico State has awarded five first-year students $30,000 through its President's Scholarships.

A brick building beneath a cloudless blue sky

University Foundation Board Grant Endowment Awards Across Campus

Over $145,000 has been awarded to 18 projects and programs across Chico State to enhance research and mentorship, increase hands-on learning opportunities and support student success through the 2022–23 Governors Awards.

Arbor Day Foundation Recognizes Chico State Once Again with Tree Campus USA Honor

For the fourth consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation honored Chico State with 2021 Tree Campus Higher Education recognition for its commitment to effective urban forest management.

2022 Hall of Honor Inductees

Meet the 8 retired faculty members that the Emeritus and Retired Faculty and Staff Association's (ERFSA) inducted to the 2022 Hall of Honor.

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.

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.

Chico State Recognizes 2021–22 Outstanding Faculty

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

Roy Beck stands in front of a gate with cattle grazing in a pasture in the background

5 Questions with Agriculture Educator and Distinguished Alumnus Roy Beck

After 42 years teaching agriculture education, Roy Beck is being honored with a distinguished alumni award from Chico State's College of Agriculture.

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.

A bee in flight prepares to land on a branch of purple flowers.

Protection of Pollinators Earns Bee Campus USA Designation

Intentional changes in landscaping practices have earned Chico State recognition as a Bee Campus USA.

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.