Politics and Society
![Two photographs of Katie Mercurio, side-by-side; she looks angry on the left and calm on the right.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/csfall23-katie-mercurio-1000x675-1-600x400.jpg )
The Persuasive Power of Criticizing with Care
Professor Katie Mercurio's research uncovers a way delivering criticism can invite change and acceptance from all sides of an argument.
![Cecilia Lore sits on a desk with her hands on her left knee, while sitting in a college classroom](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/20230315-CeceliaFeeWaiver-JH-001-1-600x400.jpg )
Age and Obstacles Don’t Deter Anthropology Major from Pursuing Her Degree
After overcoming obstacles throughout her life, anthropology major Cecelia Lore is utilizing the CSU's fee waiver to pursue her degree.
![portrait of Deserea Langley](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/20230227-AmericanIndianStorytelling-JH-017-600x400.jpg )
Crash Course: American Indian Storytelling
Deserea Langley’s “American Indian Storytelling/Oral Narrative” course is bringing the oral tradition of sharing stories, lessons, and customs with younger generations to students.
![Humberto Partida poses by leaning on the hand railing outside Trinity Hall, wearing a brown leather jacket and a blue shirt.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/humberto-partida-hero-600x400.jpg )
Graduating Senior Follows ‘Role Model’s’ Footsteps to Florence, Italy
Harnessing a long-held desire to travel, political science and international relations major, Humberto Partida, made his own dream come true by studying in Florence, Italy for a semester.
![Lateasha Meyers poses and smiles as her image is reflected along a wall.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/20230131-LateashaMeyers-JH-014-600x400.jpg )
Office Hours with Multicultural and Gender Studies Assistant Professor Lateasha Meyers
Assistant professor Lateasha Meyers is combining her passion for art and scholarship in leadership in her teaching.
![Stylish photo of Armando Ibarra next to words that say 2023 Distinguished Alumni Honoree](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/article-header_Armando-Ibarra-600x400.jpg )
Distinguished Alum and Farmworker Rights Advocate Armando Ibarra
Armando Ibarra (Sociology, Spanish, ’99; MA, Public Administration, ’02) is being honored as the 2023 Distinguished Alumni of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.
![Amy Magnus leans on a pedestrian bridge in a lush, green envirnonment](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/20221209-AmyMagnus-JH_005-600x400.jpg )
Office Hours with Criminal Justice Faculty and Rural Issues Researcher Amy Magnus
A passion for justice and activism has always been part of criminal justice professor Amy Magnus' identity. Now, she's sharing it with the next generation of changemakers.
![A teacher stands in front of a classroom discussing what is displayed on the screen](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/20221026-CHLX415class-MB_002-1-600x400.jpg )
‘Latinx and Immigration’ Class Dives Deeper into Lived Experiences
With a course as relevant and impactful as "Latinx and Immigration," MCGS faculty Gabby Medina Falzone is also preparing her students for their post-graduation goals.
![Dancers illuminated in pink and purple light dance at a rave.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/rave-scene.png )
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.
![Kendall Hall with spring flowers in the foreground](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/49718068126_76efe91617_o.jpg )
Chico State Students to Present Research at Statewide Competition
Ten Chico State student delegates will compete against scholars statewide at the California State University’s 36th annual Statewide Research Competition.
![Photo of Kendall Hall seen through the branches of bloomed flowers.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/20180409_CampusViews_JH_036-768x512.jpg )
Faculty Showcase Offers Chance to Be ‘Inspired’
Three faculty members who published amid the pandemic share their passions and stories of persistence.
![Edward Berdan smiles and leans against a wall.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_3977-600x400.jpg )
Diversity Fellow Finds Niche in AAPI Politics
As a master’s student in political science, Edward Berdan has bloomed into a scholar destined to change the study of AAPI politics.
![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 young girl clasps her hands in prayer with her eyes closed.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/prayer-in-school2.jpg )
Religion Professor Bruce Grelle Featured in TIME Magazine
The director of Chico State's Religion and Public Education Project is among the experts to address prayer in schools for TIME Magazine.
![Students sit at a table with a laptop, cell phone, and notebook to work on a presentation.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/20191205_AlleviateHousingInsecurity_JH_012-768x512.jpg )
Student Teams Work to Alleviate Housing Insecurity
The cross-disciplinary course concludes this week with presentations on partnerships and policies to find solutions for students, Camp Fire survivors, and generally unsheltered individuals.
![A map of the United States has red dots scattered across it showing where people have relocated after the Camp Fire.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Screen-Shot-2019-11-07-at-9.58.30-AM.png )
Mapping a Displaced Population
New maps from an interdisciplinary team of researchers begin to reveal the how, why, and where Camp Fire survivors have moved.
![A woman sits on the outdoor step of her travel trailer.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/20191021_ConcowCommunity_JH_013-768x512.jpg )
The Camp Fire’s Forgotten Communities
In chronicling the stories of survivors, the Camp Fire Oral History Project has captured the challenges of recovery among the most rural populations.
![Kate McCarthy speaks to a crowd.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/McCarthy-OOC.png )
Talking Politics at the Dinner Table
We dread political conversations with family because of how tense they can be. But Professor Kate McCarthy sees similarities in interfaith dialogue that can help us find common ground, even in politics.
![Professor Nandi Crosby speaks with a small group](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Nandi-OOC.png )
How Do We Talk to Each Other About Race?
On this episode of the podcast, sociology professor Nandi Crosby-Jordan examines how cultural and racial differences can and should shape our conversations with each other.
![Holly Nevarez, Peter Hansen, Jennifer Wilking, David Philhour, and Susan Roll (left to right) pose for a photo in City Plaza.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/20180523_DowntownResearch_JH_008-768x513.jpg )
Campus Research Probes ‘Sit-Lie’
Chico State researchers perform an extensive case study to evaluate city policies impacting unsheltered people.
![Two hands hold an Army cap, which contains two dog tags, an American flag patch, and tags reading "Lewis" and "U.S. Army."](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20180927_BryanVeteran_JB_009-768x513.jpg )
Who Helps the Heroes?
For help acclimating to civilian life and a college world starkly different from their military service, veteran students seek support from those who understand them best: other veterans.
![Tracy Butts, Mary Wallmark, Zach Justus, and Aaron Skaggs, (left to right) sit at a table and record the Caffeinated Cats podcast.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/20170127_CaffeinatedCatspodcast_009-768x513.jpg )
Caffeine and Camaraderie Fuel ‘Cats Podcast
A trio of Chico State faculty come together to create and record their podcast Caffeinated Cats, hoping to spark discussions about difficult or polarizing topics in listeners.
![Professor Susan Roll (right) sits on a bench at CSU, Chico with her former student, Mona Kazemi (left).](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/20170106_-SusanRollandMona_044-768x513.jpg )
‘Poverty Scholar’ Susan Roll Sheds Light on Welfare System Flaws
Social work professor Susan Roll’s real-world research into ways to keep low-income families from falling off the "benefits cliff" provides her students with innovative insights.
![Blake Northam, Camille Davis, and Aaron Bursten sit on the stairs of the BMU.](https://today.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/20160817_EqualPayUSAStudents_001-768x512.jpg )
Ending the Gender Pay Gap
Three Chico State students have launched a nonprofit that aims to end the gender pay gap by recognizing businesses that have a wage difference of 5 percent or less between equal employees.