Student Life - Chico State Today

A group of students show excitement and stand in front of a banner that reads 'Wildcat Welcome.' There are bleachers and some students in the background.

Tips for your first year at Chico State

Check out this list of tips to help you navigate your first year at Chico State and make the most of your college experience.

Tami Henriksen smiles while sitting at her desk

Celebrating Tami Henriksen, a Guiding Light for Students in University Housing

Tami Henriksen, who has been helping University Housing students for 29 years, was honored with the 2022–23 Staff Council customer service award.

2023's COEDI award honorees are photographed together holding their certificates up.

2023 COEDI Awards Honor Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Champions on Campus

The 2023 Conversations on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (COEDI) Award ceremony was held in person on campus for the first time since the COVID pandemic, honoring the champions of transformation on campus.

A group of students stands outdoors while holding bags and other household items to be donated to an emergency shelter run by Chico State's Basic Needs.

REACH Students’ Service Projects Extend Support to Community

From mental health awareness to homelessness to animal welfare, 115 students tackle a dozen service projects to help the Chico community on and off campus.

Raquel Krach sits on a rock wall with trees and shrubs in the background.

Grad Student Farmer Grows Case for Marrying Agriculture With the Natural World

With her master’s thesis—a collaborative effort to study the effects of agroecology on her almond farm—Chico State graduate student Raquel Krach confirmed what the birds have been telling her. It’s working!

We're looking at a bright graphic illustration of an open suitcase. Inside, we see the Statue of Liberty, Big Ben, an airplane, a Chico State Wildcat statue, and the clock tower of Trinity Hall.

Passport to Self-Discovery

Since 2016, approximately 1,600 Wildcats have studied abroad at one of 200 locations across 35 countries. Students share their stories from both flight paths.

A student shakes a hand of a potential employer at a career fair on campus.

How To: Nail that Next Job or Promotion

Whether you are a student, young alum, or seasoned professional, the Career Center offers services for life to help you advance in your career.

Jaylen Kruth (left) stands behind a counter as she accepts a purchase by Josh Rodriguez (right) who is using his EBT card to pay. There are a variety of snacks on the counter.

Expanded CalFresh Eligibility Brings Food Access to More Chico State Students

More Chico State students can now qualify for CalFresh benefits to access food, thanks to expanded eligibility requirements.

Marin Spalding, left, and Marcus Peoples, on the right, sit side-by-side in a classroom with laptops opened in front of them. Both are dressed in formal clothing, smiling widely and clearly amused.

Students Travel, Grow, and Build Friendships Through Speech and Debate Team

The speech and debate team, which doubles as a club and a course, offers team members space to grow far beyond the competition stage.

New Transport Program Provides Students Rides to Sacramento Airport During Breaks

Students leaving campus during extended breaks can sign up for Wildcat Rides, a new program shuttling students from campus to the Sacramento bus and train station and the Sacramento Airport.

Sophia Hoffman is photographed against a brick wall.

Chico State Freshman Impresses Coaches on The Voice

Sophia Hoffman overcame a processing disorder to make it to Chico State—now she is turning heads on international television.

Natalie Hernandez, Abraham Trujillo, Gabby Medina Falzone, Daisy Rolon, and Oscar Cisneros-Magana on stage in Trinity Commons with a pride flag in the foreground.

Aux Talks Strikes a Chord for Connection

Sing. Laugh. Dance. Connect. Experience the power of the aux cord Thursday from 2–3 p.m. in Trinity Commons. It's Aux Talks and it's a whole lot of fun!

A Space for Students to Practice Self-Care

With high rates of depression and anxiety among college students nationwide, Chico State has added an on-campus resource to help our Wildcats get to graduation, both healthy and happy.

Professor Kendall Hall gives a presentation to students.

Office Hours: Astronomer and Physics Professor Kendall Hall

Astronomer and physics professor Kendall Hall is taking fear out of physics and making it fun for all.

Delta Sigma Theta members Arianna Punter (left) and La’Netta Bowden pose in front of a poster on display.

Exhibit Honors Historically Black Sorority’s Return to Chico State

The Pi Xi chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has returned to Chico State and was recently honored in a pop-up exhibit at the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology.

Students with headphones on play video games in the new gaming lobby.

Wildcat Gaming Lobby Opens to All Students

Open to all students, the new Gaming Lobby features PC gaming, console gaming, arcade games, board games, and more.

Masked students look at a map of campus while marking safety concerns they found.

Students Embrace Role in Campus Safety During Moonlight Walk

About 125 students canvassed campus to identify opportunities for safety improvements.

Lindsay Woychick, her husband, and french bulldog pose in a colorful forest in Spain.

Alumna Predicts Post-Pandemic Upgrades Will Enhance Study Abroad Experience

After a decade living in Spain, Study Abroad alumna Lindsay Woychick (Journalism, '12) shares how COVID-19 has transformed the international experience.

Portrait of a student seated at a desk in her home, surrounded by electronic equipment.

CAVE Adopts Virtual Program to Maintain Legacy Tutoring Services

Moving its face-to-face tutoring to a virtual format for the first time in the program's 50-plus years, CAVE collaborated with an online ally to continue helping local school children.

Sunbeams peek through leaves and branches of trees

CSU, Chico Basic Needs Receives $870,000 Grant, Addresses Student Homelessness

Chico State was one of seven CSU campuses to receive a California State University College-Focused Rapid Re-Housing Partnership Grant this year.

students walk out of the bell memorial union on a fall day.

AS Takes Step Against Systemic Racism by Honoring Juneteenth as Paid Holiday

By honoring Juneteenth as a paid holiday, the Associated Students hope to acknowledge its historical significance and contribute to efforts to dismantle systemic racism.

Students throw bean bags as part of a cornhole tournament.

Chico State Nearly Wins World Record Title with Cornhole Tournament

Chico State broke one world record and nearly set a new one with 398 students participating in a campus cornhole tournament.

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.

Diana Castellanos gives a virtual campus tour, holding out her self-phone while filming herself in front of the California State University, Chico monument sign.

Admissions Innovates to Recruit Wildcats in the Virtual World

In-person visits help showcase Chico State to prospective students. Amid COVID-19, Admissions staff have found creative ways to connect virtually.

A cardboard cutout of Willie the Wildcat stands between two students socially distanced and working at desks

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.

Championing Advocacy and Awareness

As the advocate administrator for Safe Place, Alix MacDonald wants victims and survivors of interpersonal violence to discover their resilience.

A student waves at a friend on her iPad while Facetiming.

Together Apart

Photo essay captures how the campus community has united to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Students pose at the top of Macchu Picchu.

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 cartoon of a student at a computer with map of world behind him with other student faces in different countries.

Maintaining Connections from All Corners of the World

Even though physically distanced, international students, tutors, and advisors meet via Zoom every Friday to maintain their culture of connection and practice English.

Anna Paladini smiles behind a mask as she gives blood.

Answering the Community’s Call

Creating sanitation kids, supplying protective equipment, and donating blood, Wildcats put their heart into community service

A food pantry worker wears a mask and rubber gloves as he shows off the options available.

Pivot Helps Food Pantry Provide

While the campus is largely operating virtually due to COVID-19, the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry is still providing regular access to basic needs.

The author poses with a friend near a canal in Venice.

Reflections on a Study Abroad Cut Short

Junior Alexandria Ingvardsen reflects on returning from Italy, months earlier than planned, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A student hikes hunched over with a heavy backpacking pack on her back as other students follow behind in a forest.

Getting Wild in the Great Outdoors

Wildcat Wilderness Orientation primes students for success by pushing them out of their comfort zone and introducing them to new people.

Jessica stands in front of shelves of food.

Student Leads Swipe Against Hunger

After struggling to meet her basic needs early in her life, Jessica Ramirez is fighting food insecurity on campus with Swipe Against Hunger.

The WREC sign is illuminated at night, with views of the workout equipment visible through the windows.

WREC Celebrates 10 Years of Student Wellness

With an anniversary celebration planned for October 10, the center honors a decade of fitness and wellness.

The Changing Face of Chico State

Today, Chico State is home to more identities and expressions than ever. Yet, “first gen” is one of the fastest-rising identity markers. The University is focused now more than ever to ensure they achieve their dreams—no matter how high they are set.

Wildcat Welcome Invites Students to Rise Up and Roar

We're off to a great start in 2019! With move-in and the Big "C" photo kicking off Wildcat Welcome, plenty of exciting events still remain.

A box signed by Jim Morris sits in the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry.

Message on a Box: Chico State Alum Helps Feed Today’s Wildcats

Student employees at the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry were unpacking a food delivery when they came across a hand-written note on one of the boxes. Who was JBM?

Alisha Sharma addresses incoming students at Wildcat Welcome.

Lifting Up Others Through Self-Discovery

Alisha Sharma cultivated a love for new experiences at Chico State—and discovered a talent for leadership along the way.

Students walk near the on-campus student housing buildings.

Options Abound in Hunt for Student Housing

University Housing officials say opportunities are plentiful for housing for new and returning Chico State students during the 2019–20 academic year.