Profiles
Professor Discovers Closets are for More than Clothes
Imagining podcasts could be a great way for her students to connect with their coursework virtually, professor Marianne Paiva began recording where she found the best acoustics.
Alum and CEO Creates Joy In Serving Others
After fleeing China as a child with his family, alum Norman Tu has found success in business and joy in life by making it happen all on his own.
Fond Farewell: Retired Staff Member Billie Jackson
As director of the Student Learning Center, Billie Jackson mentored students, faculty, and staff during her 29-year tenure, earning a widespread reputation as a wise elder within the University's community of color.
Alum Establishes Scholarship to Support Students Advancing Social Justice
To honor George Floyd, alum Farshad Azad founded a scholarship supporting students fighting for social justice—40 years after he first experienced racism himself.
Fond Farewell: Retired Financial Aid Officer Presley Hicks
Financial Aid advisor Presley Hicks was deeply passionate about helping students—especially those who were first-generation and Black—persist at Chico State.
American Indian Studies Professor Fuels Teaching with Experience
As Nor Rel Muk Wintu, Hupa, and Xicana, Professor Vanessa Esquivido uses her cultural heritage, education, and personal experiences to shape conversations on difficulties Native Americans still face.
Fond Farewell: Retired Student Affairs Staff Tom Sawyer
With a big heart and passion for helping others, Tom Sawyer befriended students and colleagues alike.
English Professor Wins Award for First Published Children’s Book
Teresa Traver's son's relationship with a gargoyle inspired her to write her first children's book—an award-winning tale of courage.
Office Hours: Anthropology Faculty and Documentarian Will Nitzky
Professor Will Nitzky wears many hats—museum director, professor, anthropologist—and he added one more with his directorial debut, Bang the Drum: Documentary.
Baseball Catcher Named CCAA Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
No surprise to his faculty, accounting major Tyler Stofiel captured the conference's most prestigious academic award.
5 Questions with Lauren Gruwell
A psychology degree and minor in marketing proved the perfect combo for Lauren Gruwell ('09) to work in business development in a major tech company.
Fond Farewell: Civil Engineering Professor Emeritus John Teasdale
John Teasdale was known for being a rigorous educator with a great sense of humor and passion for environmental engineering.
Fond Farewell: Retired Career Center Staff John Westlund
John Westlund's sense of humor and friendly nature made him a favorite with students, colleagues, and recruiters alike during his years in the Placement Office.
Fond Farewell: Construction Management Major Zach Schenone
Zach Schenone loved helping other people and dreamed of making it his career through a degree in construction management.
Championing Advocacy and Awareness
As the advocate administrator for Safe Place, Alix MacDonald wants victims and survivors of interpersonal violence to discover their resilience.
5 Questions with Faculty Expert Joel Minden
Anxiety stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic has become more widespread. Psychology faculty Joel Minden explains what that means and how we can help each other—and ourselves.
Fond Farewell: Health Sciences Professor Emeritus Robert Dionne
In his 34 years at Chico State, Robert Dionne had a reputation for his kind and calm demeanor, a passion for health sciences, and his dedication to students.
Formula for Success
After setting a conference mark for most career 3-pointers, Madison Wong has larger ambitions beyond the game.
Pandemic Problem-Solver
Working in government relations for a biomedical research institution, alumna Jill Homer Stewart ('97) has been working diligently to support research and testing for COVID-19.
Class Notes: Spring 2020
Whether it's starting a new business or achieving a lifelong dream, the Wildcat family continues to reach milestones. We check in on professional and personal updates from our alumni.
Self-Reliance Leads to Self-Discovery
Ryan Lobsien struggled with imposter syndrome when he arrived at Chico State but grew into a confident student with a passion for helping others.
Double Major Connects Passion with Purpose
When picking a major, first-generation college student Jasmine Vang chose to follow her heart—which led to not one but two degrees she'll use to help others succeed in life.
A Force to be Reckoned With
First-generation student Darlasia Miller found her passion for activism at Chico State and strives to be a voice for underrepresented populations.
Animal Science Major Finds His Inner Lion
Jonathan Najera won't let anything stand in the way of his dream of becoming a veterinarian, while also filling his days with school, work, and research.
5 Questions with Alumnus Leon Warman
Amazon Robotics tech director Leon Warman ('80, '84) has followed a path of game-changing technological innovations that shaped the world as we now know it.
Living for Today
Diagnosed with cancer one week into his MBA program, Slade Giles continued striving toward his dreams and working to uplift others along the way.
On Pace to Finish Strong
Student-athlete and graduating senior MacKenzie Deeter may have missed her last season of competition due to COVID-19 but she left a legacy of sustainability on and off the track.
Relationships Solidify Concrete Major’s Success
Whether leading a student club, working in college labs, or serving as a program ambassador, graduating senior Eliana Aguilar demonstrates her strength as a concrete industry management major.
A True Friend, Inspiration, and Leader
Genuinely kind and dedicated to his community, Enrique Galvan embodies the concept of a true friend.
Family Ties Strengthen Married Students’ Success
Two graduating seniors find strength in their backgrounds, their children, and each other.
Fond Farewell: Psychology Major Lenore Robertson
Lenore Robertson expressed an early interest in science and the environment before eventually choosing to major in psychology.
Online Teaching Expertise Empowers Ag Professor to Lead the Way
Experience and creativity help agriculture professor Celina Phillips keep teaching virtually and encouraging her fellow faculty.
Fond Farewell: Business Administration Major Marshall Neumann
Always smiling and loving life, Marshall Neumann was an outstanding student who contributed to the classroom and connected with other students.
Fond Farewell: Passages staff member Tim Sonnenburg
Whether interacting with colleagues or the senior citizens served by Passages, staff member Tim Sonnenburg embraced his work with kindness and compassion.
Fond Farewell: Credential Graduate Andrew Mora
Andy Mora cared deeply about physical education and youth, and he was committed to specializing his physical education classes for those with special needs.
Chico in Love
Three sets of campus sweethearts share their stories about what life is like when the one you love also works where you work.
Fond Farewell: Retired Staff Elaine Eastham
Elaine Eastham was a stabilizing force in the many departments she served during 30 years of administrative support.
Fond Farewell: Retired Art Professor Sal Casa
Art was not just Sal Casa's discipline—it was his identity. And he loved sharing it with students throughout his storied career.
Fond Farewell: Retired Industrial Technology Professor Ray Rummell
Ray Rummell not only launched the industrial technology program at Chico State but he established a legacy of excellence among its graduates.
Pick of the Litter: Student Finds Perfect Guide in Disney+ Star
Olivia Merz's Guide Dogs for the Blind companion, made famous on a Disney+ series, has made her feel she can conquer college again.