Profiles
Linguistics Professor Emeritus Recognized for Internationally Recognized Scholarship
A leading scholar of Sino-Tibetan languages, Graham Thurgood was extensively published and established core linguistics programs at Chico State.
Groundsworker Emerita Luisa Garza Honored for Impact on Campus, Community
Luisa Garza's passion for sustainable methods and knowledge of horticulture implemented widespread change across campus.
Healing the Gap: Alumna Aims to Empower Latinx Community
As a physician dedicated to helping the Latino community, Claudia Ruiz is the role model she wished she had growing up.
Professor Emerita Transformed Special Education at Chico State and Beyond
During 25 years at Chico State, Teresa Davis influenced special education at the local and international level, with strong influence on teacher training.
Chemistry Professor Emeritus Honored for Scholarly Contributions, Impact on Campus
Jim Postma was a strong advocate for K-12 education, improved guidelines for community college transfers to the CSU, and was a scholar and research chemist.
Librarian Emeritus Honored for Contributions to University’s Cartography Collection, Library
Cartography expert Joe Crotts helped Chico State build one of the most comprehensive map collections in the CSU system.
Graduating Seniors Share Their Stories: Undeterred by Rejection, Engineering Major Finds Success
Kirsten Welch's perseverance and hands-on experience landed her the internship of her dreams at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.
Fond Farewell: Retired Facilities Employee Steven Blackman
Remembered for his hearty laugh, retired facilities employee Steven Blackman was a lifelong music lover, adventure seeker, and taught himself to play guitar.
Visionary Staff Member Honored for Leadership of Programs for Historically Underserved Students
Transforming Upward Bound into TRIO, Dave Ferguson created one of the most robust social mobility programs in the nation.
Wildcat Conversations: Wine Industry Experts on Inclusion, Gen Z Marketing, and Sustainability
In a new episode of Wildcat Conversations, we learn how consumers can play a role in advancing equity, hear about the latest trends, and learn some new varietals you might want to try.
Ardent Advocate for Historically Underserved Students Honored for Innovation, Contributions
Gary McMahon was impassioned about supporting low-income and first-generation college students with advising, peer mentoring, and a place for community.
Graduating Seniors Share Their Stories: Finding Support, Community, and Calling in BSS
Through the Camp Fire and then the pandemic, graduating senior Guadalupe Carolina Vazquez has tapped into positive influences to create her own vision for the future.
Much More Than A Super Fan
The bond between John Brownell and the Chico State baseball team is one of the great stories in collegiate athletics.
Fond Farewell: Construction Management Major Sam Engel
Sam Engel was an enthusiastic and bright-eyed participant in all his classes, no matter the subject, and brought a similar joy to all his relationships.
Wildcat Conversations, Episode 1: The Future of Artificial Intelligence
To help us learn more about where AI is going, why it’s moving so fast, and how we can think about it with more optimism than dread, we looked to three alums working at the forefront of this technological evolution.
Worth Sharing: Speech and Debate Team Take Center Stage at Pi Kappa Delta Nationals
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.
Celebrating Our 2024 Distinguished Alumni
Not only do the 2024 Distinguished Alumni honorees reflect our longstanding University values, but they have led exceptional lives and made a profound impact through their careers.
Educator, Record-Setting Goalkeeper, and Distinguished Alumni Tom Carter
Following his passion for math, physical education, and sports, Tom Carter is making a significant impact at Chico State and in the surrounding community.
Distinguished Alumna and Sierra Nevada Brewery Quality Manager Kimberly Bacigalupo
Chemistry alumna Kimberly Bacigalupo is diversifying the brewing industry from the inside out.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Class Notes: Fall 2023
The Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. Alumni share professional and personal updates for fall 2023.
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.
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.
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.
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.