April 30, 2026 - Five Selected to Receive Professional Achievement Honors

Dear Campus Community,

Please join me in congratulating the 2026 recipients of the University’s Professional Achievement Honors, sponsored by the University Foundation Board of Governors.

These awards recognize exemplary teacher-scholar achievement on our campus, and this year’s honorees are prime examples of the wonderful work done at Chico State. Click the name of each honoree to read more about them at Chico State Today.

• Jianliang Hao, College of Business—Hao has built an impressive reputation for scholarship and teaching, with numerous publications in top-tier journals and more than 15 conference presentations since joining Chico State in 2021. He brings these real-world insights into the classroom through hands-on, data-driven learning, preparing students with practical skills while mentoring them toward careers and advanced study.
• Mina Hejazi, College of Agriculture—Hejazi has emerged as a leading scholar in agricultural economics, focusing on food safety and international trade. As principal investigator on multiple externally funded projects, her research examines how regulations and market forces shape global food systems, from pesticide standards to supply chain resilience.
• Kasey DeAtley, College of Agriculture—DeAtley’s dedication to research, policy, and mentorship has had a significant impact in agriculture. A recipient of nearly $2 million in competitive grants, her work spans sustainable livestock feeding strategies and expanding opportunities for underrepresented students in agricultural sciences. As a working rancher and author of California legislation supporting cattle producers, she bridges education and industry, and has earned statewide recognition for her hands-on teaching and leadership.
• Shane Mayor, College of Natural Sciences—Mayor is a globally recognized expert in atmospheric lidar and boundary layer meteorology, leading innovative research that has earned more than $2 million in grant funding. He developed Chico State’s transportable lidar system, used to conduct basic and applied atmospheric research, and his mentorship has enabled students from diverse backgrounds to engage in high-level research and gain early recognition on international stages.
• Kathleen Meehan, College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management—Meehan has shown tremendous leadership in advancing energy storage and embedded systems research while expanding hands-on opportunities for students. As a co–principal investigator on a $2.25 million Department of Energy grant and contributor to a Department of Defense–funded project, she brings cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research directly into the classroom, connecting students with national labs and engineering challenges.

Thank you to the University’s Faculty Recognition and Support Committee, which had the challenge of selecting this year’s recipients and to the University Foundation Board of Governors for funding the awards. Finally, Congratulations to the honorees, and thank you for your extraordinary teaching and research.

Steve Perez