Research Centers

The California Mechatronics Center (CMC) serves as a bridge between academic learning and industry practice by providing junior and senior engineering students with hands-on experience through real-world project work. The CMC specializes in motion control and automation, with a recent focus in drone applications and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) research, particularly advancing solutions for the agriculture and resource conservation industries. Students work on cutting-edge projects that address real challenges in precision agriculture, environmental monitoring, and sustainable resource management, gaining exposure to the full project lifecycle from initial requirements gathering through final hardware deployment while working to industry standards.

The California Pavement Preservation Center (CP2C) is a nationally recognized institution with excellent services in the field of pavement preservation including sustainable pavement materials, innovative paving technologies, pavement management, training, and education.

The mission of the Center is to serve as a leader in a partnered effort between government, industry and academia participants to advance and improve pavement preservation practices through education, innovation, applied and practical research, technology transfer, and implementation.

The Partnership for Innovation, Opportunities, Networking, Education, Engineering, and Research (PIONEER) Center at Chico State was established through the Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) grant from the National Science Foundation. The PIONEER Center bridges the gap between academia and industry, advancing applied research in emerging technologies while strengthening job placement for Chico State students. By leveraging the university’s regional connections and collaborating with local industries, workforce development agencies, and community colleges, the Center cultivates a robust innovation ecosystem in Northern California. The PIONEER Center supports faculty through interdisciplinary research and grant-writing resources, promotes industry partnerships, and is dedicated to increasing opportunities for students by providing direct access to networks, mentorship, and career pathways.