Dr. Ryan Patten

Ryan Patten is a first-generation college student and native of the Pacific Northwest. Prior to coming to Chico State, he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Policy degree from the prestigious Huxley College of the Environment at Western Washington University. From 2000 – 2001, Ryan worked as a land use planner before being hired as a police officer. In 2002, Ryan decided to continue his education and was named Outstanding Graduate Student before earning his Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Washington State University (2003). In 2006, Ryan earned his PhD in Criminal Justice also from Washington State University. His dissertation examined Game Wardens from the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and the agency’s shift towards a more collaborative approach to Endangered Species Act violations. After completing his PhD, Ryan served in the United States Peace Corps in Belize.

In 2007, Ryan was hired as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Chico State and earned accelerated tenure and promotion to Associate Professor and accelerated promotion to Professor. Ryan has also served Program Coordinator of Criminal Justice, Associate Chair of Political Science and Criminal Justice, Chair of Political Science and Criminal Justice, Interim Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Construction Management, Associate Dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSS), and now as Interim Dean of BSS. In 2017 – 2018, Ryan was a Fellow with the distinguished American Council on Education and worked with then President G.H. Javaheripour of Yuba College.

Ryan is the author or co-author of over 20 peer-reviewed books, articles, and technical reports. His most recent publication (2023) examines the outcomes of a second-year student success program with Criminal Justice students. Most recently, Ryan was awarded a $2.9 million grant as principal investigator from the U.S. Department of Education to further Hispanic and/or low-income student access to higher education and retention at Chico State.

When he is not working, you can find Ryan attempting to lower his golf handicap, coaching his son in sports, taking walks in his neighborhood with his wife and dog, or traveling with his family.

Phone: 530-898-6171
Email: rpatten@csuchico.edu