March 4, 2025 - Thank You for an Amazing Event!

Dear Campus Community,

We did it! During my welcome address, I told prospective students and their families that Choose Chico weekend is the equivalent of a holiday here —our favorite holiday, in fact. And wow, did we prove it to be true! 

We showcased Chico State and what it is like to be a student here to potential Wildcats and their guests —nearly 5,000 visitors in total. From academics to student life, and athletics to arts and culture, we highlighted the countless aspects of why we believe our beloved institution should be their college of choice.  

We are estimating attendance at 1,613 students and 3,195 guests! On par with last year’s numbers, those figures continue to significantly surpass our largest Choose Chico in 2019, which we know will bode well for the fall incoming class. Declaration stations and the Admissions table were consistently busy with students submitting their intents to enroll, and we anticipate an upward trend in the weeks to come. Stay tuned for more enrollment numbers soon.  

We reached max capacity at the first President’s welcome and nearly filled every seat at my second address in Laxson Auditorium 45 minutes later. The line for tours of Shasta Hall stretched to the street, Trinity Commons and the Bell Memorial Union were abuzz with activity all morning, and the meet-and-greets with the new affinity centers proved super popular. I had the best time hearing our students guide tours in English and Spanish, eavesdropping on conversations about majors during the Academic Showcase, and answering families’ questions about what makes Chico State such a special place. 

As with any holiday, a lot of work goes into the planning and preparation for this day—it truly is a collective campus endeavor. I'm deeply grateful to the entire Admissions team, especially Sarah Wood, Jeff Logsdon, and Mayra Escobar—who successfully led her first major yield event—as well as those in Student Life and Leadership, Academic Affairs, University Housing, Facilities Management and Services, and so many others. To those of you who aided in the prep work and shared your Saturday with these prospective Wildcats, thank you. Once again, you made an incredible impression, and I look forward to when we’ll welcome our newest students together this fall.  

Thank you, 
Steve Perez