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Distinguished Alum and and Vice President of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group Cristina Chavez

Distinguished Alumna and Vice President of A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group Cristina Chavez

Cristina Chavez's confidence grew during her time at Chico State. The 2024 Distinguished Alumni honoree's charm, wisdom, and humility has lifted her to the top of the music industry.

President's Perez sits with his back to the camera, wearing a red jacket with 'Chico State' written in bold white letters.

President’s Column: Chico State is Strong and Resilient

President Perez discusses Chico State's bright future and how our campus community is doing to ensure it. 

Black and white photo illustration of Norman Tu with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alum, Entrepreneur, and CEO Norman Tu

In 1982, a motivational seminar inspired Norman Tu to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Today, his company employs over 350 people and has facilities in several states.

Black and white photo illustration of Stuart Casillas with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alumni and Corporate Partner Stuart Casillas

Lean into classes, reflect on what's important, absorb the wisdom around you. University Foundation Board member Stuart Casillas delivers his insight.

Taylor Anderson Rawlins Award winner

A Second Chance: Mathematics Alumna Calculates Her Own Path to Success

For recent graduate and future high school math teacher Taylor Anderson, the journey is the destination.

Black and white photo illustration of Alycia Anderson with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alumna, Motivational Speaker, and CEO Alycia Anderson

Alycia Anderson believes disability needs to be an important part of the DEI conversation. An international TEDx speaker and advocate, she works with global companies to expand what inclusion means in the workplace.

Student India Starr smiles as she looks away from the camera and poses with her arms crossed in a black button-up blouse against a beige studio background.

Former Basketball Player Finds New Team in the Classroom

Basketball brought India Starr to Chico State, but the support she found here made the communication studies major want to stay.

Distinguished Alum and California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass

Distinguished Alumna and California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass

The organization’s first woman President is driven to succeed by those who blazed trails for her and those who will follow.

Student Olicia Johnson smiles as she looks away from the camera while she's wearing a blue blouse in front of a beige studio background.

Passion Leads Chico Native to Find Path in Computer Science

A love of coding and her hometown led Olivia Johnson to pursue her degree at Chico State. "I have finally found my path..." she said.

Jackson Webster dips a sampling container into Butte Creek.

Research in the Aftermath of the Camp Fire Reveals the Threat of Wildfires on Water Quality

Critical research by faculty at Chico State, UC Boulder, and USGS aims to identify preventative insight to help mitigate future wildfires.

Jorge Munguia Ramos poses for a photo wearing a blue shirt with a small white pattern.

Perseverance and Push from Professors Propel Future History Teacher

Tempted to return home during his first week at Chico State, Jorge Munguia Ramos not only stayed, but he found community and encouragement that helped him thrive.

Valene. L Smith stands in front of the Museum bearing her name.

Fond Farewell: Anthropology Professor Emerita and Museum Benefactor Valene L. Smith

Valene L. Smith was a world traveler, internationally renowned tourism expert, beloved professor, and esteemed benefactor and champion for the campus anthropology museum that today bears her name.

Storm clouds hover over a college campus

Fond Farewell: Retired Assistant Librarian Doris Mann

Doris Mann, who worked as an assistant librarian at Chico State for 27 years before her retirement in 1995 passed away on November 25.

Carter Lindstrom smiles while seated on a stool in a dark-colored suit.

Vision Beyond Sight: College of Business Student’s Inspiring Journey

Despite being legally blind, Rawlins award winner Carter Lindstrom carries a 3.92 GPA and is a leader in many Chico State College of Business clubs.

Emma Pham poses on a stool in a blue business suit.

Navigating International Paths and Markets: A Business Student’s Journey to a Rawlins Award

Nhung (Emma) Pham earned the Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins award for her achievements and leadership in Chico State's College of Business.

Photos of Tatevik Avetisyan Artoonian (left) and Natalya Shkoda (right).

Worth Sharing: Professors and Students Impress on State, National, Global Levels

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

Student Marifren Francisco smiles in a formal white jacket and clear-framed glasses.

Learning From Experiences, Nursing Major Forges Path to Success

Initially drawing inspiration from nursing students on campus, Marifren Francisco has created her own bright future through service-learning.

A portrait of graduate student Letty Mejia in a purple dress.

Graduate Student Breaking Through Doors Once Closed to Her

As an undocumented child, she grew up constantly being told no. Today, Mejia is working to make sure that kids in her community encounter more open doors than stop signs.

Student Sierra Bowling smiles as she poses with her hands holding her gray jacket in front of a beige backdrop with the outline of a window in the background.

Hands-on Learning Helps Mold Graduate Student into SLP She Wants to Be

What began as Sierra Bowling's teenage interest in public speaking has become a passion for the budding speech-language pathologist.

Student Justin Craven wearing a black jacket.

Curiosity Has Set Double Physics Major On Successful Path

In the classroom, lab, and on the athletics track, Justin Craven is constantly growing through an open mind.

Graduate student Arely Saldana smiles, wearing a formal black cardigan and a red shirt.

Broad Horizons Ahead for Master’s Candidate in Legal Psychology

Arley Saldana enriches her life by trying new things—and brings this joyful approach to her research and work as a grad student en route to great things.

John Vigil stands on a hill with the Camelot Equestrian Park in the background

Business Student Brainstorms to Build Bigger Market for Tribal Equestrian Park

Business administration major and Mechoopda Tribal member John Vigil found a way to blend his studies with his vision for an equestrian park as an expanding venture of the Tribe.

A ginkgo tree turns vibrant yellow in the fall season.

Worth Sharing: Chico State Honored for Online Excellence

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

President Perez shares a laugh with a group of students on the first week of school after asking them their majors and what made them choose Chico.

President’s Column: 6 of My Favorite Moments from 2023

President Steve Perez reflects on his first six months on the job and shares some of his favorite moments.

Our top images of 2023

University photographers Jason Halley and Matt Bates have had a busy year, including photographing 633 assignments and capturing more than 28,000 photos.

A summer night sky above a lit-up academic building

Fond Farewell: English Professor Emeritus Ernst Schoen-Rene

Described as energetic, creative, and inspiring, English Professor Emeritus Ernst Schoen-Rene devoted himself to teaching at Chico State for more than 35 years.

Looking across the Gus Manolis Bridge on a bright spring morning.

Journalism Alum Leads DEI Efforts at Groundbreaking Agency

Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt has put the valuable experience she gained in Chico State's journalism program to practice at FleishmanHillard (FH), a leading-edge public relations firm.

Fall foliage surrounds brick pillars on a college campus.

Worth Sharing: UCOMM Snares Six CASE Awards

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

University Farm in the late afternoon.

Influential Ag Alum Pays Tribute to Chico State

President of the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Natalie Collins says her journey began as Chico State.

Alyssa DeVries (left) and Liam McCoy (right) work on an exercise during a Communication for Disorders (CCD) counseling session on at Chico State.

Celebrating 75 Years of History, Impact in the Field of Speech-Language Pathology

Founded in 1948, the CMSD program has a long history of providing the North State with high quality professionals and critical speech, language and hearing services.

The sun sets behind an academic building with grass and oak trees in the foreground and puffy clouds in the sky

Class Notes: Fall 2023

The Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. Alumni share professional and personal updates for fall 2023.

Stickers that show the North State Roots logo are scattered across a black tablecloth.

North State Roots Collaboration Expands Access to Healthcare Information in Rural Communities

With new funding, a team from Chico State and nonprofit First 5 Tehama are bringing a free online healthcare service to rural communities across the North State.

President Steve Perez runs through Expressions Dance team with raised pom poms as the campus community enjoys the Alumni and Family Weekend BBQ barbecue as part of Wildcat Weekend

We are Making a Good First Impression

A note from a parent after Wildcat Weekend impresses upon President Steve Perez the value of every interaction with prospective students and their families.

Chico State cross country student-athlete Dylan White raises his hands in triumph as he crosses the finish line as the 2023 CCAA individual champion

Legends Rising and Records Falling: Chico State Athletics off to Scorching Start

Another fantastic fall for the Chico State Department of Athletics is ending, culminating in two more California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, several NCAA Championship berths, and excitement for what’s still to come. Records have fallen and legends have risen, and the year has only just begun! Here are some of the highlights.

Portrait of Gary Towne

Worth Sharing: Towne Named Men’s and Women’s CCAA Cross Country Coach of the Year

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

Kate Minderhoud sits on a bench flanked in the golden light of autumn trees.

Community Support Drives Camp Fire Survivor and Anthropology Major to Give Back

Artist, anthropology major, and Camp Fire survivor Kate Minderhoud credits two scholarships for helping make her college dreams come true. Next step: grad school.

Anthony Costales runs during the 2023 Western States 100 while donning his Chico State cross country jersey.

Ultramarathon Alum Leans on Wildcat Crew

A one-pound iced lemon loaf is not an obvious snack for someone running a 100-mile endurance race, but you can't argue with Anthony Costales' results. The Chico State distance running alum relied on those calories and his Wildcats crew to finish 3rd at this year's Western States 100.

An up-close portrait of Liane Thompson.

Celebrated Journalist and Producer Writes a Chapter with Groundbreaking AI Tech

Alumna Liane Thompson cofounded an award-winning environmental tech firm that is combatting climate change and making waterways more resilient.

A bright, colorful designed image that shows three people who work in artificial intelligence.

AI: The Business of Change

Three alumni working in different areas of the AI space share their stories of change that led to careers at the edge of a new frontier.

An up-close portrait of Pratik Mehta.

Solving Grassroots Medical Issues With AI

Alumnus Pratik Mehta, head of artificial intelligence at CloudMedx, is constantly asking what will meaningfully impact as many lives as possible.