Stories of student success

Every student in the College of Communication & Education (CME) has their own story, and we want to help you write yours. Student success is our priority—but you don't have to take our word for it! Listen to a few alumni share their experiences. Transcripts are available below each video.

Feeling inspired? Apply to Chico State today!

Veronica Becerra-Lopez ('18) - Media Arts, Design, and Technology

Transcript
Veronica: "I grew up in Lake County, California. It’s a super small area, but it’s really easy to feel isolated in terms of resources and opportunities. My parents are originally from Mexico, and I’m the first person in my family to attend college. When I was in third grade, my parents got me my first camera. It was a Polaroid, and it completely changed my life. I had no idea what I was doing, but over time I found that I wanted to work with media and help people in the process. When I first got to Chico State, I was really excited but also felt a bit lost. I changed my major five times within the first semester, and I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to do even though it felt like everybody already had. And then, I found my home. During my second semester, I took an Intro to Instructional Design class, where I learned how media can facilitate learning. That’s when I realized this was for me. Majoring in Media Arts gave me the perfect mix of technical training and the creative expression that I had been seeking my whole life. Now I work for the Lake County Office of Education, where I help increase community awareness towards educational programs, events, and resources. I’m currently working on my Master’s in Instructional Science and Technology, and I wish I had the chance to go to Chico State all over again because of the new and exciting classes taking place in the Media Arts, Design, and Technology Department. My name is Veronica Becerra-Lopez, and I’m a proud Chico State Alumni. Thank you Media Arts, Design, and Technology, and thank you Chico State!"

Uriel Lopez Jr. ('18) - Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management

Transcript
Uriel: "I’m originally from Redwood City in the Bay Area, and my family moved to Chico in 2002. As a child, I grew up loving the outdoors. My brothers and I spent a lot of time camping, fishing, and hiking. I loved it. Not dealing with the traffic and people; you’re in your own little world. When I was eight, I started joining my father on his hunting trips. He taught me how to hunt responsibly and respect nature at all times. My youngest brother had gone to Chico State and majored in Recreation and Administration with an option in Parks and Natural Resources Management. I saw how much he loved his education and thought, “Why not me?” When I enrolled in Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management, I knew I had found my path. My professors taught me about how to preserve and conserve the land, and how to recreate and enjoy natural parks responsibly. In my first year, a job opening came up for a Student Park Ranger for the US Army Corps of Engineers. I applied for the position and got the job! Once I graduated, I got a permanent position with the US Army Corps of Engineers. I’m working in Sacramento on levee improvements and utility relocations to prepare for future flooding. To this day I still keep in contact with my former professors and classmates, and I am thankful for my time spent as a park ranger. My name is Uriel Lopez Jr. and I’m a proud Chico State alumni. Thank you, Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management, and thank you Chico State!"

Ryan Lobsien ('18) - Communication Studies

Transcript
Ryan: "In high school, things weren’t the best with my mother and I. We didn’t see eye to eye on a lot of things. My day was pretty much spent getting my brother and sister ready for school, then me getting to school, coming home, making dinner for them, and then pretty much going to bed and doing it all over again. In eighth grade, I was kicked out of class and got suspended. Then a teacher decided to put me in a support program for low-income, first-generation students. That’s when things started to turn around. The first time I came to Chico was my sophomore year. The city was just so beautiful and it was nothing like I’d seen before. When I tell people what Chico is about, I tell them Chico is very Chico, and you don’t really understand that until you’re here. When I got accepted to Chico State, I was so overwhelmed with happiness and joy. However, at this time, there were more arguments between my mother and I and because of this I found myself sleeping on friends’ floors, couch surfing, and realizing that I’m totally on my own. Majoring in Communications with a focus in Public Affairs was the best decision I’ve ever made. The moment I got to campus, the department was there to support me. My professors and classmates really understood my situation, and helped me pursue my education. People always ask, “What is communication?”, but it’s so much more than what it sounds like. Communication is in every job, I have friends going into sales, marketing, HR, social media management, psychology, parks management; it’s not just one job. This year, I’ve been working as a youth director for kids with the same challenge I had. If I can change one life like mine was changed, I’ll know I’ve made a difference. My name is Ryan Lobsien and I’m a senior majoring in Communication. Thank you Communication and Education, and thank you Chico State!"