Academics
![Natsumi Kawamura performs a dance routine as Megan Glynn Zollinger films on an iPhone.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20201120_GhostLightDance_JH_010-2-600x400.jpg )
Dance Students Rediscover Groove in Virtual Collaboration
The CSU Dance Collective, cofounded by Professor Megan Glynn Zollinger, has not only kept dance alive at Chico State during the pandemic, it’s transformed collaboration and creativity for students, faculty, and campuses alike.
![A cartoon of a student at a computer with map of world behind him with other student faces in different countries.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/International-Wildcat-Global-Cafe-144dpi-01.jpg )
Students Engage Globally, Virtually, Amid COVID-19
Studying abroad looks different in the age of COVID-19, but the pandemic hasn’t stopped students from expanding their world-views, gaining new skills, and building lasting relationships.
![A college student smiles while holding a country's flag.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Lead-600x400.jpeg )
Chico State’s Study Abroad Program Once Again Recognized as One of Nation’s Best
For the 15th consecutive year, Chico State's Study Abroad program was ranked in the top 10 nationally for students learning in another country for at least a year.
![A nursing student wearing protective gear holds a syringe that contains the vaccine against the coronavirus.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20210129_NursingCOVID_JH_701b-600x400.jpg )
Nursing Students Serve on the Frontlines Against COVID-19
Doing their part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, students from Chico State's School of Nursing are volunteering at local sites to provide much-needed testing and administer long-awaited vaccinations.
![Sunshine breaks through the tops of trees over a ranch-style setting.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/20180507_BCCER_JB_006-600x400.jpg )
Family of Professor Emeritus Gifts $1 Million for Educational Programming at Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve
The Dempsey family has donated $1 million to the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve—the largest cash gift in its history—for educational programming.
![Lisa Kendhammer fills plastic bags with chemistry equipment for at-home experiments.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/20200923_ChemistryKits_JH_002-600x400.jpg )
Chemistry Kits Deliver At-Home Learning Opportunities
Despite learning virtually for the vast majority of the fall semester, chemistry students are still able to conduct hands-on experiments at home.
![Brandon Wright stands in the foreground of the Honey Run Covered Bridge, which has only pylons standing during this phase of the rebuild.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20201021_HoneyRunConcrete_JH_038-600x400.jpg )
Construction Management Furthers Contributions to Honey Run Covered Bridge Rebuild
Students and faculty remain a driving force in the rebuild of the Honey Run Covered Bridge, lost to the Camp Fire in 2018.
![Chico State University Farm silo.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20180723_DroneFarm_JB_007-scaled-e1604341174633-600x400.jpg )
University Farm Celebrates 60 Years of Hands-On Learning
Six decades after it opened, the farm's its 800 acres remain a microcosm of a major industry and its essential workforce.
![Reed Pritchard pushes the beef cattle down a shoot on University Farm.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20200928_Farm-BeefUnit_JH_038-600x400.jpg )
Ag Can’t Wait
The 60-year-old University Farm is a microcosm of the agriculture industry and its essential workers, which means during these extraordinary times students still rise early to feed the livestock, milk the cows, pick the peaches, and tend its fields and orchards.
![An aerial view of campus shows trees turning color in fall as students walk on campus.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/20191114_CampusViews_JH_028-600x400.jpg )
History Majors Embrace Groundbreaking Research with Inaugural Adelante Grants
This summer, three history majors—Vivian Hernandez, Jose Valadez, and Juan Vega—tackled topics much of the world knows little about with support from a national grant.
![Chico State nursing student Elyse Fontana poses and sits on a desk](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/20200722_NursingBCPH_JH_005-600x400.jpg )
Nursing Students Tackle COVID-19 Contact Tracing
In need of public health clinical hours to fulfill their graduation requirement, students from the School of Nursing served their communities as COVID-19 contact tracers.
![Professor Vanessa Esquivido teaching students about American Indians.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20191211_VanessaEsquividoTeaching_JB_016-600x400.jpg )
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.
![A student tests concrete in a lab on campus.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/20190923_CIMConcreteLab_JH_039-600x400.jpg )
Concrete Graduates Have Strong Hold on Job Market
With unique degrees in concrete industry management, Wildcats experience career success straight out of college.
![Portrait of David Johnson in a field](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/agriculture-hero-600x400.jpg )
Chico State Leads New Future for Agriculture Industry
To mitigate the ag industry's environmental impact, researchers at the Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems are finding new methods and teaching them to the next generation.
![A faculty member addresses his class on his laptop, while his son assembles Legos on the floor behind him.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/20200427_COVIDFacultyTeaching_JH_026-600x400.jpg )
Faculty Mentor Peers to Improve Virtual Teaching
Employing a peer-mentor approach, Chico State's Go Virtual Summer Institute is preparing its faculty to provide quality online instruction in the fall.
![A cardboard cutout of Willie the Wildcat stands between two students socially distanced and working at desks](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/20200629_VirtualONSP_JH_024-600x400.jpg )
Summer Orientation Goes Free, Virtual
New Student Orientation has a new look this summer. While moving completely online, it's now also free for all incoming students and their families.
![A woman speaks toward her computer while wearing rubber gloves.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Sydney-600x400.jpg )
Older Adults Learn Online Together with OLLI
OLLI has launched its first virtual summer term, uniting hundreds of older adults to show that social distancing doesn't require social isolation.
![students talk with the airport manager on the tarmac of the airport with a plane in the background.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/airportstudents-600x400.jpg )
Marketing Students Get Chico Airport Rebranding Off the Ground
Students in "Brand Strategy" are working to create a new identity for the Chico Airport, which they hope will be approved by the City Council.
![A majestic academic building casts a reflection after a rain.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/20200522_CampusViews_JH_015-768x512.jpg )
CSU, Chico Expands Transformative MBA Program to Online
Chico State's College of Business has launched its new Online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, set to begin offering classes for the fall 2020 semester.
![A student waves at a friend on her iPad while Facetiming.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/49913388166_fb65803419_c-768x512.jpg )
Together Apart
Photo essay captures how the campus community has united to slow the spread of COVID-19.
![A woman and small boy sit on a specialized swing near the words "Serving the Spectrum."](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/cst-autism-lead-banner.png )
Serving the Spectrum
For nearly 20 years, Chico State has supported North State children with autism and their families through multisensory services at our Autism Clinic.
![Students pose at the top of Macchu Picchu.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Crash-Course-e1589499236780.jpg )
Passport to Peru: Students Explore International Business
A first-of-its-kind course took students to South America for an in-depth analysis of international business management and strategies.
![A family pets a dairy cow at the University Farm.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/20190419_WildcatDayOnTheFarm_JH_019-768x512.jpg )
CSU, Chico Honored as One of Nation’s Top Colleges for Agriculture Degree
Grad Reports recently honored Chico State at No. 12 on its national list of “25 Best Colleges for an Agriculture Degree” for 2020.
![Daniel Hernandez performs a song from his home.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/20200424_WildCatCouchConcert_JH_037-768x512.jpg )
Songwriting Class Showcase Moves to YouTube
Without the chance to share their self-written songs in person, students in one music class shared their performances virtually.
![Students walk down a road at University Farm](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/20190912_FarmPortraits_JB_020-768x513.jpg )
Journal Club Keeps Undergraduate Agricultural Research Rolling
Unable to meet in the fields to check their research plots, an undergraduate group started a Journal Club to stay connected and keep learning.
![Amy Peet stands in front of Enloe Hospital wearing a face mask and her commencement attire.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20200420_COVIDNursingPPE_JH_022-768x512.jpg )
Local Hospitals Keep Nursing Students on Track to Graduate
With a change in requirements and creative solutions to clinical hours, COVID-19 will not stand between School of Nursing students and their diplomas.
![Oakes smiles as she sits in a small cabin beside a fireplace](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5937-2.jpg )
Book in Common Author Oakes Explores Climate Change
The author of this year's Book in Common selection, Lauren E. Oakes, will lead a virtual lecture on April 22.
![Portrait of Celina Phillips with sheep in a field behind her.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20200303_ANSCFarmStaffFaculty_JH_043.jpg )
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.
![A view of a student speaking to her laptop for a video on tips for online learning.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cst-rachel-photo-768x512.png )
Distance Education Students Share Online Learning Tips
Six students produced videos to help their fellow Wildcats make the transition to virtual learning.
![](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20190319_SpringFlowers_JH_003-768x512.jpg )
New Dean Named for College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management
Provost Debra Larson announces Blake Wentz will be the new dean for the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management.
![Bruce poses in the hallway of the Department of Comparative Religion and Humanities.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20200121_BruceGrelle_JH_005-768x512.jpg )
Religion—and Diversity of Thought—at Center of Professor’s Teachings
Professor Bruce Grelle advocates that learning about religions should not be polarizing—it makes us better citizens of a global society.
![A faculty member leans over a group of students to help them work through a problem.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20191205_AlleviateHousingInsecurity_JH_018-1-768x512.jpg )
Supporting Students Past the Tipping Point
Takeaways from the Tipping Point Student Success Summit share best practices to ensure students achieve their educational dreams.
![A student stands on the banks of a lake holding a Chico State banner, with a building behind him.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IMG-3916-scaled.jpg )
University’s Study Abroad Program Recognized as One of Nation’s Best for Yearlong Participation
The Institute of International Education (IIE) listed Chico State's Study Abroad and International Exchange Program as one of the nation’s most active for year-long participants.
![A student sits at a computer with dramatic lighting streaming in from a window.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190129_CyberHacker_JH_004b-768x512.jpg )
Cybersecurity Students Achieve No. 1 National Ranking
The Chico State Usr0 Club has finished in the top 10 at the National Cyber League Team Competition five years in a row.
![A graduate student basks in the glory during her Commencement ceremony.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20190516_MastersGradB_JH_098-768x512.jpg )
CSU, Chico Receives Five-Year, $3 Million Grant to Support Postbaccalaureate Students
The University has been awarded funding of $3 million over five years via a Title V grant from the US Department of Education.
![Portrait of Jeremy Olguin in the OATS office.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20190903_JeremyOlguin_JH_015-768x512.jpg )
Putting a Priority on Accessible Technology
The Office of Accessible Technology and Services strives to make inclusive technology part of the campus ethos.
![](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20190314_AutismClinic_JH_025-768x512.jpg )
Autism Clinic Helps Build Skills for Life
Chico State's Autism Clinic serves children on the autism spectrum—strengthening their gross motor skills while lifting their confidence.
![Pengcheng sits on the floor of a classroom surrounded by small children in uniform.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Pengcheng_School-scaled.jpg )
Study Abroad Experience Ignites Self-Discovery
English education major Pengcheng Xiong returned to his parents' homeland and experienced a true connection with his Hmong identity.
![A human finger touches a finger sensor on a mechanical finger.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20191210_FingerSensor_JH_015-768x512.jpg )
Engineering for a Better Tomorrow
Whether focused on clean drinking water or eliminating single-use plastics, engineering students spent the last year tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges.
![White puffy clouds float above Trinity Tower.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Dec-16-768x512.jpg )
Worth Sharing: Model UN Team Shines
A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.