Department of Economics

Paul Van Dyke

  • Graduated: 1988
  • Field: Government

Paul Van Dyke, who completed his BA in Economics in 1988, later earned a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management from Antioch University, Los Angeles. In 2013 he received a Master’s in Social Work from CSU Stanislaus. Paul is a registered Associate Clinical Social Worker who is the clinical director and personal services coordinator for Turning Point Community Programs in Sacramento, California where he uses social work practices to help adults who have mental health and developmental disabilities. Between degrees Paul worked on campaigns and legislation for State Senator Hayden, media relations for Assembly member Sweeney, and later was Legislative Director and Chief of Staff for the late State Senator Soto. In the early ‘90s, he was an account executive for a Santa Monica based environmental public affairs firm, and a statewide coordinator on political campaigns for the Humane Society of the United States in 1996. In a recent email he wrote that, "I wanted to become more direct service orientated after I had worked in the Legislature for 12 years."

I still have fond memories of the Economics program at Chico state, it really was a great program, and it still is. The variance in my career well states the diversity, integrity, and value of the BA in Econ from Chico. Professors like Frederica Shockley, Michael Perelman, David Gallo really taught me how to think about big problems. The analytic skills I learned there drew me to public policy, and later social work.”

Portrait of Paul Van Dyke