College of Engineering, Computer Science & Construction Management

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Named 2017 Distinguished Alumni

2017 Distinguished Alumna Rose McCallen receives award from Interim Associate Dean Dick Hsu

Chico State College of ECC honors alumna Rose McCallen

The California State University, Chico College of Engineering, Computer Science & Construction Management (ECC) named Rose McCallen 2017 Distinguished Alumni. One of eight Distinguished Alumni from across the University, McCallen's professional achievements and ongoing commitment to Chico State were acknowledged at the 24th annual Distinguished Alumni Recognition Dinner on March 24, 2017.

McCallen earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Chico State in 1980. She continued her education at UC Davis and UC Berkeley. In her 30-year career at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, McCallen has led interdisciplinary teams and multi-laboratory collaborations in shared mission-critical projects for national security.

In various efforts to advance the engineering profession, McCallen engages with women, girls and other underrepresented groups in STEM fields. McCallen continues to participate with Chico State through annual Alumni in the Classroom presentations and on-campus workshops that assist students in applying for government internships and fellowships.

McCallen's commitment to Chico State extends to her service on the Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering and Sustainable Manufacturing (MMEM) Advisory Board. Rose and her husband, Dave, a Chico State Civil Engineering alumnus, are long-time philanthropic supporters of the College of ECC and its students. A recent gift made possible the pilot program of the Engineering Student Success Center (ESSC), which aims to increase student retention and prepare students for a STEM-driven workforce. During just the first semester, the center served more than 160 engineering students.

During her visit to campus for the award recognition, McCallen spoke with a materials science engineering class about making the transition from student to professional engineer. She urged students to find their path through professional networking, collaborative opportunities and hands-on internships—all things that Chico State's engineering curriculum and resources equip current students to do.