January 20, 2026 - Welcome to the Spring 2026 Semester!

Dear Campus Community,

Welcome to the spring 2026 semester! I hope you had an opportunity to rest and recharge over the winter break, and I want to begin by thanking you for the dedication and care you bring to our students and to one another every day.

As we kick off the semester, I'm pleased to share encouraging news about enrollment. Based on early projections, both headcount and full-time equivalent students (FTES) are up compared to last spring. While these numbers will no doubt shift slightly between now and census (February 16), we project our overall year-over-year enrollment will increase by about 1.5% — a testament to the collective work happening across campus to support recruitment, retention, and student success. I know you'll join me as we give a warm welcome to both new and returning students this spring.

Additionally, the State's initial budget proposal appears more encouraging than in recent years. While there is still much to be determined, we are uplifted by this hopeful news, and we will remain actively engaged in advocacy efforts throughout the spring to ensure Chico State and the CSU system's priorities are understood and supported.

I also want to highlight some critically important work happening on our campus right now: the reaffirmation of Chico State's accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission, better known as WSCUC. This is a significant milestone for our University. Led by our WSCUC steering committee, this process will examine every facet of the University and asks us to thoughtfully reflect on how we deliver on our mission and continuously improve the experience we provide our students. The draft Institutional Report will be shared with the campus community in April. I encourage you to be on the lookout for opportunities to contribute to this effort, including a campus survey that is open right now.

Just last week, we received important recognition that underscores the impact of our work beyond campus. Chico State has earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, a distinction that affirms our commitment to service, partnership, and engagement throughout the North State. This recognition reflects who we are and how we show up for our region, a remarkable quality that has long defined our institution. I'd like to recognize Amy Magnus, who put together a very detailed application that highlighted all the meaningful ways Chico State faculty and staff contribute to our communities, and thank each of you whose work helps strengthen our North State region every day.

We will celebrate these efforts, and many others, in greater detail at the State of the University address. Please plan to join me Tuesday, February 3, at 3 p.m. in the Bell Memorial Union. This will be an opportunity to reflect on where we are as a campus, outline priorities for the year ahead, and discuss both challenges and achievements as a community.

I look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish this spring and to celebrating your achievements along the way. Thank you for the work you do and the care you bring to our Wildcat community. Here's to a successful, healthy, and rewarding spring semester.

Thank you,
Steve Perez