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An illustration of Kendall Hall at Chico State, with the words 'Wildcat Conversations' written in whimsical letters above it.

Wildcat Conversations, Episode 1: Artificial Intelligence

To help us learn more about where AI is going, why it’s moving so fast, and how we can think about it with more optimism than dread, we looked to three alums working at the forefront of this technological evolution.

A rainbow flashes its colors behind Colusa Hall as a student walks down a sidewalk soaked by recent rains.

Some of Our Favorite Spring Images

Some of our favorite spring 2024 photographs, captured by University photographers Jason Halley and Matt Bates.

Portraits of Madison Gillen, Rafael Fogo, and Millie Kinnamont.

Worth Sharing: Speech and Debate Team Take Center Stage at Pi Kappa Delta Nationals

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

A red banner with the words '2024 Distinguished Alumni' written in white text.

Celebrating Our 2024 Distinguished Alumni

Not only do the 2024 Distinguished Alumni honorees reflect our longstanding University values, but they have led exceptional lives and made a profound impact through their careers.

Distinguished Alumna Kimberly Bacigalupo

Distinguished Alumna and Sierra Nevada Brewery Quality Manager Kimberly Bacigalupo

Chemistry alumna Kimberly Bacigalupo is diversifying the brewing industry from the inside out.

An athlete in a Chico State track uniform prepares to throw a javelin.

Josie Peterson Takes Aim at Chico State’s Record Books

Josie Peterson, a former standout in multiple sports, launched the fifth-longest javelin throw in Chico State's history, igniting a fantastic season and setting her sights on further goals.

Black and white photo illustration of Norman Tu with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alum, Entrepreneur, and CEO Norman Tu

In 1982, a motivational seminar inspired Norman Tu to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Today, his company employs over 350 people and has facilities in several states.

A graphic showing the headshots of all 11 recipients of the Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipients.

Celebrating Our 2024 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipients

From technology specialists and intensive care nurses to those serving multiple communities, these are the 2023-24 Lt. Rawlins Merit Scholarship Recipients—the best of the best at Chico State.

Taylor Anderson Rawlins Award winner

A Second Chance: Mathematics Alumna Calculates Her Own Path to Success

For recent graduate and future high school math teacher Taylor Anderson, the journey is the destination.

Black and white photo illustration of Alycia Anderson with the words: 2024 Distinguished Alumni Honoree

Distinguished Alumna, Motivational Speaker, and CEO Alycia Anderson

Alycia Anderson believes disability needs to be an important part of the DEI conversation. An international TEDx speaker and advocate, she works with global companies to expand what inclusion means in the workplace.

Student India Starr smiles as she looks away from the camera and poses with her arms crossed in a black button-up blouse against a beige studio background.

Former Basketball Player Finds New Team in the Classroom

Basketball brought India Starr to Chico State, but the support she found here made the communication studies major want to stay.

Student Olicia Johnson smiles as she looks away from the camera while she's wearing a blue blouse in front of a beige studio background.

Passion Leads Chico Native to Find Path in Computer Science

A love of coding and her hometown led Olivia Johnson to pursue her degree at Chico State. "I have finally found my path..." she said.

Jorge Munguia Ramos poses for a photo wearing a blue shirt with a small white pattern.

Perseverance and Push from Professors Propel Future History Teacher

Tempted to return home during his first week at Chico State, Jorge Munguia Ramos not only stayed, but he found community and encouragement that helped him thrive.

Carter Lindstrom smiles while seated on a stool in a dark-colored suit.

Vision Beyond Sight: College of Business Student’s Inspiring Journey

Despite being legally blind, Rawlins award winner Carter Lindstrom carries a 3.92 GPA and is a leader in many Chico State College of Business clubs.

Emma Pham poses on a stool in a blue business suit.

Navigating International Paths and Markets: A Business Student’s Journey to a Rawlins Award

Nhung (Emma) Pham earned the Lt. Robert Merton Rawlins award for her achievements and leadership in Chico State's College of Business.

Student Marifren Francisco smiles in a formal white jacket and clear-framed glasses.

Learning From Experiences, Nursing Major Forges Path to Success

Initially drawing inspiration from nursing students on campus, Marifren Francisco has created her own bright future through service-learning.

A portrait of graduate student Letty Mejia in a purple dress.

Graduate Student Breaking Through Doors Once Closed to Her

As an undocumented child, she grew up constantly being told no. Today, Mejia is working to make sure that kids in her community encounter more open doors than stop signs.

Student Sierra Bowling smiles as she poses with her hands holding her gray jacket in front of a beige backdrop with the outline of a window in the background.

Hands-on Learning Helps Mold Graduate Student into SLP She Wants to Be

What began as Sierra Bowling's teenage interest in public speaking has become a passion for the budding speech-language pathologist.

Student Justin Craven wearing a black jacket.

Curiosity Has Set Double Physics Major On Successful Path

In the classroom, lab, and on the athletics track, Justin Craven is constantly growing through an open mind.

Graduate student Arely Saldana smiles, wearing a formal black cardigan and a red shirt.

Broad Horizons Ahead for Master’s Candidate in Legal Psychology

Arley Saldana enriches her life by trying new things—and brings this joyful approach to her research and work as a grad student en route to great things.

Looking across the Gus Manolis Bridge on a bright spring morning.

Journalism Alum Leads DEI Efforts at Groundbreaking Agency

Cheyenne Cameron-Pruitt has put the valuable experience she gained in Chico State's journalism program to practice at FleishmanHillard (FH), a leading-edge public relations firm.

Chico State cross country student-athlete Dylan White raises his hands in triumph as he crosses the finish line as the 2023 CCAA individual champion

Legends Rising and Records Falling: Chico State Athletics off to Scorching Start

Another fantastic fall for the Chico State Department of Athletics is ending, culminating in two more California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) titles, several NCAA Championship berths, and excitement for what’s still to come. Records have fallen and legends have risen, and the year has only just begun! Here are some of the highlights.

A bright, colorful designed image that shows three people who work in artificial intelligence.

AI: The Business of Change

Three alumni working in different areas of the AI space share their stories of change that led to careers at the edge of a new frontier.

An up-close portrait of Pratik Mehta.

Solving Grassroots Medical Issues With AI

Alumnus Pratik Mehta, head of artificial intelligence at CloudMedx, is constantly asking what will meaningfully impact as many lives as possible.

A framed portrait of Gabriel Flores.

Driving Automotive Technology Into the Future

Hear the story of Gabriel Flores, an enterprise engineering manager, developing hands-free, eyes-off driving technology.

Megan Foster is her USA Rugby uniform

United States National Rugby Team Starter and Former Chico State Star Hangs Up Her Cleats 

Megan Foster, whose rugby career began at Chico State and took her all the way to the United States National Team, recently retired.

A bright sunny sky shines above a brick academic building

Rankings Season: A Roundup

Chico State received numerous rankings from top-tier magazines and international organizations over the last couple of months—here is a rundown.

A photo of a total solar eclipse, where the sun is completely blocked out by the moon.

How Witnessing a Solar Eclipse Can Help Prevent Global Disaster

Senior Danielle Casillas traveled to Western Australia on a NASA-funded trip to the site of a total solar eclipse, looking for clues to the "biggest mystery in the solar system."

Adrian Fontanelli poses for a portrait with a soccer ball between his left arm and hip.

Inspired by his Parents, Fontanelli Plays with Passion and Purpose

Chico State Men's Soccer Coach Felipe Restrepo says that teammates try to emulate Adrian Fontanelli because of his pride, joy, and passion. But Fontanelli says his work ethic comes from his parents, Carlos and Marcela.

A printing machine puts an Earth Day logo on a reusable bag

International Organization AASHE Once Again Honors Chico State for Excellence in Sustainability

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education recognized Chico State for its environmental practices, honoring it as one of the top performers in its Master’s Institutions category.

Looking up at the trunk, branches, and leaves of a giant mature oak tree

Worth Sharing: Chico State Named One of the Top Colleges for Indigenous Students

A listing of professional achievements by Chico State faculty, staff, and students.

Three students laugh and smile as the walk down the promenade of campus.

National Honor Awarded to Chico State Program That Advances the Number of Latinx Students Earning Graduate Degrees

Chico State's Graduate Equity Fellowship Program has been recognized by the nation’s leading authority on efforts to accelerate Latinx student success in higher education.

Curved arches on a building on a college campus

Chico State Celebrated in US News & World Report’s 2024 Rankings

With a pair of top 10 rankings and another three in the top 25, Chico State is firmly recognized as one of the top higher education institutions in the West region in the 2024 US News & World Report’s Best College Rankings.

CSU Trustee Award Honoree, Gerardo "Jerry" Langarica Martinez, stands in front of an ornate doorway. He wears a buttoned blue short and smiles slightly, looking past the camera.

CSU Trustee Award Honoree Strives to Help Others Claim Their Space

Gerardo “Jerry" Langarica Martinez has overcome significant hurdles over the last 15 years to earn his bachelor's degree, begin the teaching credential program, and achieve numerous honors along the way.

Fall colors abound in the trees in front of an administration building on a college campus

Chico State Appears in a Pair of Forbes Rankings

Chico State was honored by Forbes on two lists of rankings—America's Top Colleges List and Best California Colleges Online of 2023.

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Chico State Shines in 2023 Washington Monthly Rankings

In its 2023 College Guide and Rankings, Washington Monthly listed Chico State in the top 10 in its “Master’s University Rankings" and the top 20 for “Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: West."

The sun sets behind an academic building with grass and oak trees in the foreground and puffy clouds in the sky

Chico State’s Efforts to Advance Post-Graduate Education Recognized Nationally

Chico State’s Office of Graduate Studies received two multi-million-dollar grants from the Department of Education and was recognized by a national educational organization.

The sun sets behind a line of dairy cows as they snack on hay on a University Farm

Chico State’s CRARS Awarded Nearly $6 Million to Address Climate Priorities

Chico State’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems has received a California Climate Action Seed and Matching Grant totaling approximately $6 million to support state climate priorities.

A group of students show excitement and stand in front of a banner that reads 'Wildcat Welcome.' There are bleachers and some students in the background.

Tips for your first year at Chico State

Check out this list of tips to help you navigate your first year at Chico State and make the most of your college experience.

An academic building on a college campus as the morning sun breaks through

Chico State Excels in Money Magazine’s ‘Best of 2023’ Rankings

Chico State continues making its mark on national rankings, including the most recent from Money magazine.