Faculty

Teachers who are engaged in the topics that they teach are not only current in their fields, they also inspire and motivate.

“Hands down, Diana played the most influential role in my college experience and continues to be a mentor to me to this day,” says student Kiana Buss of political science professor Diana Dwyre. “She helped me identify opportunities to further my education outside of the classroom. With her assistance, I did internships in the State Capitol and in Washington, D.C. as well as sit on the editorial board of Studium: The Student Journal of Political Science.”

Dwyre’s enthusiasm for teaching and for her students’ success sparked Kiana’s interest in political science. “Her passion for the subjects she teaches was contagious. Her classes were just fun to attend! She made difficult information easy to understand, with great examples from her practical experience as a staffer on Capitol Hill and current events.”

“The best teachers are teacher-scholars,” says Dwyre. “Teachers who are engaged in the topics that they teach are not only current in their fields, they also inspire and motivate.”

Dwyre’s scholarship was honored with the 2009–2010 Fulbright Distinguished Chair at Australia National University in Canberra. The Fulbright Program is perhaps the most prestigious international awards program for scholarship. Dwyre has worked on campaign finance policy in the U.S. Congress and co-authored two books on the subject.

She is one of many current professors at Chico State who have been recognized nationally and internationally for their scholarly contributions.

Jeff Price, Geological and Environmental Sciences: shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Bryon Wolfe, Communication Design: 2009 Guggenheim Fellowship for his photography.

Lee Altier, Agriculture: 2002 Fulbright Senior Scholar in Thailand.

Gordon Wolfe, Biological Sciences: a $2 million National Science Foundation award to study the production of biological hydrocarbons that could be used to create biofuels.

Robert Cottrell, History: 2009 Fulbright Chair at Moscow State University in Russia.

Every Chico State student has the opportunity to really get to know their talented professors—our faculty focus on teaching and welcome students during their office hours.