People

Chico State Helps Pave Way for Alumna Now Living in Israel
In November, alumna Ashira Solomon was invited to be the presenter and moderator for the Reykjavík Global Forum – Women Political Leaders in Iceland.

BFA Graduate Drawn to Chico State’s Art Program
Inspired by his culture, BFA graduate Joel Solis dedicated his culminating exhibition to Latino street vendors around Butte County.

Worth Sharing: Meriam Library Staff Co-Author Article
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Distinguished Alum and Farmworker Rights Advocate Armando Ibarra
Armando Ibarra (Sociology, Spanish, ’99; MA, Public Administration, ’02) is being honored as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.

Expanding Collaborations in Latin America: Dean of College of Agriculture Visits Chile
College of Agriculture Dean Patricia Stock visited several academic and research institutions to exchange knowledge about the myriad challenges agriculture is facing in Mediterranean climate regions—like those in California and Chile.

Fond Farewell: Marketing Professor Emeritus Kenny Chan
In addition to his passion for teaching and scholarship, Kenny Chan is remembered for his wit, wisdom, and kindness to all.

Distinguished Alum and Valley Water District CEO Rick Callender
Rick Callender (Industrial Technology, ’94) is being honored by Chico State with this year's Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

5 Questions with Alum and Marriage and Family Therapist Chris Park
Marriage and family therapist Chris Park shares his appreciation for his Chico State education and provides a glimpse into his experiences as an MFT.

Wildland Management Master’s Student Driven to Preserve Natural Spaces
Alum and current wildlands management master’s student Ben Chang is dedicating his life to battling climate change and mentoring the next generation of environmental stewards.

5 Questions with Alumna and Vice President of Center Road Solutions Allison Ivie
Inspired by her mother, alumna Allison Ivie has made a career of advocating and empowering organizations that help women and families.

5 Questions with Chico State Alumna and Business Owner Ava Moon
Chico State graduate and local artist, Ava Bloom, channels her independent spirit, commitment to sustainability, and love for creating art into new vintage boutique.

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.

Worth Sharing: Psychology Faculty’s Work Appears on ‘Best of 2022’ List
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

‘Beauty in the Chaos’: Fulbright Scholar’s Focus on Gemstone Trade in Sri Lanka
Anthropology faculty Brian Brazeal navigated the global pandemic and political unrest as he went to Sri Lanka to document the country's gemstone trade as part of his Fulbright Scholar Award.

Office Hours with Criminal Justice Faculty and Rural Issues Researcher Amy Magnus
A passion for justice and activism has always been part of criminal justice professor Amy Magnus' identity. Now, she's sharing it with the next generation of changemakers.

New HR Specialist Advances Campus EDI Goals
College opened Maximilian “Max” Cordeiro's world. He's working to create similar experiences for others as Chico State’s inaugural Human Resources EDI Specialist.

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.

Fond Farewell: Communication Sciences and Disorders Major Dani Senico
Loving her first semester at Chico State, Dani Senico was passionate about her family, music, and animals.

Update: Rory Abberton Runs into the Chico State Record Books
Chico State cross-country runner Rory Abberton, who detailed his journey as a student-athlete for Chico State Today last week, earned his first all-American honors in his final race.

Fond Farewell: Retired Custodian Martha Ann Armocido
Remembered as friendly, hard-working, and kind, Martha Ann Armocido worked as a custodian on campus for more than a decade.

Worth Sharing: Academic Articles, All-West Athletic Honors, and National Rankings
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

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.

Running Down My Dream at Chico State
Chico State student-athlete Rory Abberton will run his final collegiate cross country race at Friday’s NCAA Division II Championships. He considers the path he took to get there, and those who helped along the way.

Fulbright Experience Helps Agriculture Faculty Deepen Roots Across the World
Whether it was teaching his students, learning from colleagues, or endearing himself to local food vendors, College of Agriculture faculty Lee Altier's Fulbright experience in Turkey was a memorable one.

5 Questions with US Attorney for Oregon Natalie Wight
Alumna Natalie Wight was confirmed as the state of Oregon's new top law enforcement official after being nominated by President Joe Biden.

Fond Farewell: Retired Theatre Professor James “Marty” Gilbert
Retired professor James “Marty” Gilbert is remembered as a gifted set designer who was also a kind, patient, and supportive colleague and teacher.

Worth Sharing: Student-Athletes Shine in the Classroom
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Basket Brigade One of Many Opportunities To Volunteer This Month
Wednesday night's Basket Brigade is one of many opportunities to pitch in and make a difference in the weeks surrounding Thanksgiving.

Fond Farewell: Chico State Enterprises Grants and Contracts Analyst Tara Becraft
Known for her problem-solving, crafting, and kindness, Tara Becraft brought joy to those she worked with in Chico State Enterprises.

Biology Student Among First to Research Fish’s Unusual Schooling Pattern
Cole Schmitt has been working with the National Systemics Laboratory and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, studying the vertical schooling behavior of the cutlassfish.

Fond Farewell: Biology Professor Emeritus Robert Thomas
Dr. Robert “Bob” Thomas was known as an excellent colleague, friend, teacher, and researcher.

Worth Sharing: Model UN Shines in Washington, DC
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Office Hours: Astronomer and Physics Professor Kendall Hall
Astronomer and physics professor Kendall Hall is taking fear out of physics and making it fun for all.

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.

Camp Fire Survivor Returns to Rebuilt Home and Hope in Butte Creek Canyon
Four years after the Camp Fire, Cindy Wolff is back living in Butte Creek Canyon, in a new home designed with fire in mind.

PARADISE U Helps Elementary Students Rediscover the Joy of Movement
PARADISE U, a physical education program created by kinesiology professor Cathrine Himberg, helps students discover the benefits and joy of movement.

Worth Sharing: Nenadal Explores Community Post-Camp Fire
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Fond Farewell: Retired Instructional Media Center Technician Dennis Yarnell
Known for his sense of humor and work ethic, Dennis Yarnell was impactful in his 35 years with the Instructional Media Center.

‘Cats Get Cookin’ with Retired NBC Marketing Director Lance Lew
After more than 30 years working in broadcast journalism, Lance Lew is embracing a longtime passion in retirement—cooking, with the release of his first cookbook this month.

Exhibit Honors Historically Black Sorority’s Return to Chico State
The Pi Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has returned to Chico State and was recently honored in a pop-up exhibit at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology.