Profiles
New Art Teacher Brings Professional and Personal Success to Chico State
Steven Durow enjoyed tremendous success as a professional artist—but teaching has always been at the heart of his craft.
Fond Farewell: Retired ASC Michelle Berglund-Smith
Known for her candy dish and birthday cakes, Michelle Berglund-Smith was considered the backbone of the Computer Science Department for her expertise and passion.
Fond Farewell: Passing of Retired Mathematics Professor Larry Dion
Mathematics and statistics professor Larry Dion will be remembered for his commitment and generosity.
Fond Farewell: Agricultural Science and Education Major Holly Mahnke
With a love of animals and passion for education, senior Holly Mahnke was excited to follow her dream of becoming an agriculture teacher.
Fond Farewell: Anthropology Professor Emerita Beverly Newbold Chiñas
A visionary in cultural anthropology and scholar of women's studies in Latin America and beyond, Beverly Newbold Chiñas taught at Chico State for 26 years.
Six Questions with Alumna and Santa Clara County Public Defender Cesilia Fernandez
Cesilia Fernandez, a Chico State alum who graduated with dual bachelor's degrees in Spanish and International Relations, now works as a public defender in Santa Clara County.
Thousands of Physical Maps Need a Home—Students Helped Find One
With a move from Butte Hall looming, GIS students helped find a new digital home for hundreds of physical maps.
Fond Farewell: Retired Nursing Professor Beverly Jenkins
Beverly Jenkins taught nursing on campus for 22 years and was known for her compassion for and empathy to students.
Fond Farewell: Professor Emeritus and Athletics Coach Larry Burleson
During a teaching and coaching career that spanned nearly 40 years, Larry Burleson instilled in his students and student-athletes a dedication for technique and appreciation of play.
5 Questions with University Sports Information Director and Alum Luke Reid
University Sports Information Director Luke Reid combines his passion for athletics with his love for his hometown.
5 Questions with Alumna and Geotechnical Consultant Julia Moriarty
Geotechnical engineer Julia Moriarty ('94) loves watching the details of how things are built—from roads to bridges to fire stations.
Fond Farewell: Kinesiology Professor Emeritus George David Swanson
A world-class expert in pulmonary physiology, George David Swanson helped create a mass spectrometer that was used on the Mir Space Station.
Fond Farewell: Retired History and Social Science Professor Ken Rose
Ken Rose was an impassioned and well-respected historian and history professor, as well as a beloved musician in a local Irish band.
Fond Farewell: Retired Staff Member Eunice Toussaint
The University's first Outstanding Employee of the Year, Eunice Toussaint was known for her dedication to her work and warm, welcoming personality.
Office Hours: Sociology Professor and Dance Music Culture Researcher Danielle Hidalgo
Danielle Hidalgo spent four years physically and digitally following three women DJs in an immersive research experience into dance culture.
Fond Farewell: Online Master of Business Administration Student Delaney Marchant
Delaney Marchant was pursuing her MBA to broaden her passion for entertainment with business acumen. She had recently accepted her dream job.
Coral Connections Lead Student-Researcher Toward His Dream
Jaime Lopez has impressed his faculty with an endless passion for sea anemones and corals, with a dream of using research to save them from the effects of climate change.
Fond Farewell: Political Science Professor Emeritus and CLIC Founder Ed Bronson
As the founder of the Community Legal Information Center and a national expert in change-of-venue and death-qualified juries, Ed Bronson's legacy among students and the justice system cannot be understated.
Business Double Major Embraces Role of Mentor
College of Business outstanding senior Nathaniel Nevels overcomes tragedy to thrive at Chico State.
Fond Farewell: Financial Accounting and Reporting Staff Member Lenora Goni
With a kind spirit and quick wit, staff member Lenora Goni will also be remembered for her supportive attitude and desire to help.
Meet: Monique Sendze
As Chico State's new Vice President of Information Technology, Monique Sendze blends an educator's mindset with a deep acumen of technology.
From Gang Life to College Graduate: Humanities Major Aspires to Help Incarcerated Students
Incarcerated for most of his adult life until age 42, Benny Gutierrez is proud to be graduating with a degree in humanities and having founded a program for formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students.
Fond Farewell: Biological Sciences Professor Emeritus Wes Dempsey
Legendary for his arboretum tours and dedication to the campus trees, Wes Dempsey was a naturalist at heart who inspired thousands to follow in his footsteps.
Psychology Major Defies the Odds
After battling depression, an eating disorder, and drug dependency, Leo Simpson finds hope at the end of their college journey.
Political Science Major Fulfills Her Potential
Leaving home at age 15 was a decision that perhaps saved Angel Bliss's life—today, the single mother continues the pursuit of her college degree.
Psychology Major Makes the Most of a Second Chance
After a life-altering choice landed him in legal trouble, Sal Hernandez Rodriguez is firmly on the road to earning a college degree.
Asian Studies and Business Administration Major Reflects on a Promise Kept
A college degree was something that Rodaisha James' mother talked to her and her sister about before she passed away—now Rodaisha will graduate from Chico State with two degrees.
Promoting Achievement Through Hope
More than 23,000 children age out of the nation’s foster system annually—less than 3 percent of whom will earn a college degree in their lifetime. Every year, students in the University’s Promoting Achievement Through Hope Scholars program are reversing that narrative with the support of staff and their peers.
Social Work Major Explores Students’ Sense of Belonging on Campus
Social work major Selena Thao uses infectious energy, strong empathy, and a justice approach to engage with others—particularly her fellow students.
Agriculture Alum Cooks Up A Following with Plant-Based Passion
With a best-selling cookbook and write-ups in top food magazines, people can't seem to get enough of Edgar Castrejón's vegan cooking!
Plant and Soil Science Major Grounds Herself With Research
Consuelo Baez Vega cultivated a passion for research while working at the University Farm and several innovative projects with faculty.
Nursing Alum Puts LGBTQ+ Patient Care Policy into Practice
Jonathan Gurrola takes school project from the classroom to the community to advocate for equality in health care.
Basketball Player’s Success a Slam Dunk in Classroom and the Court
The most decorated student-athlete in Chico State’s men’s basketball history, Kevin Warren will graduate this spring with a master’s in communication studies.
Student Fly-Fisherman Casts His Line into Researching Local Creeks
Ten years after leaving college, Maurice Ledoyen returned and is conducting research studying metal accumulation in aquatic organisms in creeks downstream of the Camp Fire.
Unexpected Super Bowl Star Set to Graduate
Bri Seiders, a Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management Major scheduled to graduate in spring 2022, made every event special during her four years at Chico State.
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.
Fond Farewell: Retired Administrative Assistant Norma Jones
During her 23 years at Chico State, Norma Jones worked for several upper-level administrators, handling her duties with grace, discretion, and expertise.
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.
Alumna Helped Bring Disney’s Encanto Characters to Life
Chico State alumna Theresa Adolph (Applied Computer Graphics, ’06) worked as an animator on the critically acclaimed film, Encanto.
Fond Farewell: Psychology Major Terry Nilsen
After changing his major, Terry Nilsen embraced both psychology and art and loved spending time in Chico.