Our Office
Student Services Center, Room 460
530-898-6880
graduatestudies@csuchico.edu
The Office of Graduate Studies
Business Hours
8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Monday–Friday
Mailing Address
Office of Graduate Studies
California State University, Chico
400 W. First St.
Chico, CA 95929–0875
@chicostategradstudiesGrad Studies YouTube Channel (@chicostate-gradstudies)
Grad Studies YouTube ChannelStudent, Faculty, and Program Success Stories
Chico State's Efforts to Advance Post-Graduate Education Recognized Nationally
The last year has been a successful one for Chico State’s Office of Graduate Studies, receiving two multi-year, multi-million-dollar grants from the Department of Education while also being recognized by a national educational organization.
Chico State Psychology Students Honored as CSU Pre-Doctoral Scholars
Two Chico State graduate students have been recognized by the California State University as Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars, the system’s prestigious awards for their doctoral aspirations.
Among this year’s 76 Sally Casanova recipients are Chico State students Arely Saldana (Psychology, ’20) and Recamier Jauregui-Ocampo (Psychology, ’22). Both psychology graduate students, Saldana will be mentored by faculty Linda Kline and Jauregui-Ocampo will study under the mentorship of faculty Shawn Bates.
Inspired by His Parents, Vang Persevers to Earn Master's Degree
When John Vang walked across the stage to receive his master’s degree from Chico State on May 17, it was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it was a solemn occasion. His parents—his inspiration—weren’t there. His father, Xae Chon Vang, whose dream was to see his son walk across that stage, died of nasal cancer on April 9 and was laid to rest on May 14. On May 15, Vang’s mother, Mai Xiong, was admitted to the hospital with stomach cancer. Two days later Vang took hold of his diploma, while grief had taken hold of him.
Graduate Studies Awarded the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Award
The Office of Graduate is thrilled to announce that it was awarded the prestigious Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) Award. This highly regarded recognition comes with a substantial $3 million grant, set to commence in October 2023, that will help to ensure that Hispanic and low-income students have more opportunities for educational growth and success.
Graduate Students Awarded the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Program Award
Two Chico State graduate students were selected recipients of the highly esteemed Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholar Award for the 2023-2024 academic year:
- Recamier Jauregui-Ocampo (MA, Psychology)
- Arely Saldana (MA, Psychology)
Adelante Postbaccalaureate Pipeline Program Continues to Find Success
The Adelante Postbaccalaureate Pipeline Program, supported by a $3 million Title V Developing Hispanic Serving Institutions grant, continues to make a significant impact at Chico State. Impressively, 99 percent of graduate student participants have either been retained or successfully graduated. Graduation rates for first-time freshmen and transfer students also continue to surpass the University's average. Furthermore, the Adelante Wayfinders program has demonstrated outstanding success, as undergraduate mentees have applied to graduate programs at more than twice the rate of the general student population.
Grad Studies Staff Awarded 2022 Wildcat Spirit Award
There was much rejoicing by the Office of Graduate Studies when Rose White’s name was announced as the recipient of the 2022–2023 Chico State Spirit Award at the Staff Excellence Awards ceremony. Everyone who has ever met or worked with Rose knows she holds an exceptional dedication and unwavering commitment to student success that is truly remarkable. It comes as no surprise that she would be nominated for and then receive the honor.
Graduate Studies Awarded Governor's Award for 2023–2024
The Office of Graduate Studies was honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2023–2024 Governor’s Award by the Chico State University Foundation Board of Governors. This recognition brings invaluable support as it will help to cover the application fees for undergraduate students who apply to Chico State graduate programs.
Michael Pratt Awarded Outstanding Advisor For 2023
Michael Pratt (MPA, ’18), an Admissions Coordinator in the Office of Graduate Studies and Chico State alum, was awarded the Outstanding Advisor Award for the 2022-2023 academic year in recognition of his exceptional service as the advisor to the Council of Graduate Students.
Grad Slam 2023
Rocci Vizzusi, a graduate student in the Psychological Science master's program with faculty mentor Alexander Wong, and Pa Yang, also from the Psychological Science master's program with faculty mentor Martin van den Berg, proudly represented our campus at the second annual statewide CSU Grad Slam on May 5, 2023.
Connecting Generations Through Understanding
Pa Yang sees learning as a continual process with no defined beginning or end.
At the same time, the Oroville native channels everything she learns from life and college into making her community stronger, more connected, and (hopefully) happier.
On the cusp of receiving her master’s in psychology, Yang’s (Psychology, ’21) thesis focused on acculturation and well-being in the Hmong community. Specifically, her work deals with the inter-generational and familial conflicts that often arise when one’s heritage culture undergoes shifts as its people assimilate into a new country or environment.
Earth and Environmental Sciences Grad Student Driven by Social Issues
Science is just about Claire-Marie Kooi’s favorite topic. Whether mulling over ideas with her father (a retired physicist), as an Earth and environmental sciences graduate student at Chico State, or in discussion with undergraduate students at UC Berkeley, she feels at home, confident, and empowered when researching and exchanging ideas about science.
Initially a math major as an undergrad at UC Berkeley, Kooi switched to Earth and planetary science. To her, the difference was a tangible one.
“I was able to have a community and also see the impact of my work—that’s the thing about the Earth, nothing happens in isolation, everything impacts something else,” she said. “I think the connection to the real world is something I didn’t see in math at the time, and Earth and planetary science is where I saw connections to issues I was really interested in.”
Grad Student Farmer Grows Case for Marrying Agriculture With the Natural World
For years, birds have been singing the praises of Raquel Krach’s regenerative farming practices. She hears it every day.
“When we’re in our orchard, the birds are busy, and so loud,” she says. “But when you’re off the property, 100 yards away, the silence is deafening.”
Krach and her husband, Greg Massa, are co-owners of Massa Organics. She recently completed her master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies through Chico State’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture and Resilient Systems. With the completion of her master’s thesis—a study on the effects of regenerative agriculture on an almond orchard on their 250-acre organic farm—she has proof beyond the peeps and chirps of her feathered farm-mates that her efforts are paying off.
Samuel L. Winter Awarded Outstanding Thesis for 2023
Samuel L. Winter (MS, Psychology) was awarded Outstanding Thesis for 2023. He wrote and conducted a strong thesis entitled “The Impact of Clinician-Perpetrated Sexual and Gender Minority Microaggressions Upon Client Perceptions in Psychotherapy.”
He-Lo Ramirez Awarded Outstanding Project for 2023
He-Lo Ramirez (MS, Interdisciplinary Studies: Wildland Management) was awarded Outstanding Project for 2023. His project entitled “Improving Northwestern Maidu Education in Northern California: A Need for and Creation of Place-Based Culturally Relevant Curricula” is a solid contribution to the work of creating more diverse, relevant, and critical pedagogy for our communities of the North State.
Grad Student and Honor Fan LEAPs into Editing and Publishing
Love can lead one to do some surprising things. For instance, when Benjamin Vandersluis fell head over heels for literary editing and publishing during his final semester as an undergraduate at Chico State, he started reading the Chicago Manual of Style, 17th edition.
“I started on page one,” he laughed. “I found some of it genuinely interesting.”
That was in the fall of 2017. He graduated that December with a bachelor’s degree in English and then worked at the California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation for the next three years, helping with planting, harvesting, and of course, editing the annual report. Vandersluis also kept the flame alive as a freelance editor. In the middle of 2020, struggling during the pandemic and looking for a reset, he discovered that the University had revived its Literary Editing and Publishing (LEAP) Certificate Program. Vandersluis jumped at the chance to earn the certification as part of his graduate studies. And he’s thrilled he did
Grad Studies Rocks Giving Day 2023
With a modest monetary goal and a vital cause, Graduate Studies took part in the annual Giving Day in March of 2023. The one-day fundraising event was a great success as not only was the goal surpassed, but Graduate Studies ended the day in an impressive third-place position on the Leader Board, resulting in additional funding for their cause, the Pipeline to Success Fund.
37th Annual Statewide Student Research Competition – 2023
In April 2023, ten Chico State students delivered exceptional academic presentations at the 37th Annual CSU Statewide Student Research Competition hosted by San Diego State University. The competition featured 250 participants from all 23 CSU campuses. Each student’s outstanding presentation was a testament to their hard work and dedication to their fields of study, highlighting the outstanding research and academic work produced by Chico State students.
Chico State's MBA Program Continues to Receive Global Recognition in CEO Magazine
Chico State has once again been recognized as one of the top business schools with an MBA program—with a Tier One ranking in CEO Magazine’s 2023 Global MBA rankings. The University’s online MBA program also ranked No. 46 globally, jumping up from No. 65 last year. This marks the fifth year that Chico State’s MBA program has been ranked by CEO Magazine.
Kinesiology Grad Student and Former Marine Honored with CSU Trustees’ Award
Isaiah Armond Jamal Henderson tries to live by a motto he picked up from his undergraduate mentor and kinesiology professor: “Whenever you have an opportunity, say yes and figure out the details later.”
Psychology Science Master's Graduate Kanvarbir Gill Accepted into PhD Program
2022 Psychological Sciences Master's graduate and outgoing Council of Graduate Students president Kanvarbir Gill will pursue doctoral studies at the University of Oklahoma.
Molly Heck Selected for 2021–2022 Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program
Molly Heck (MSW 2007 and current Chico State faculty) was selected as a 2021-22 Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) recipient.
Juan Vega Ramirez, 2022 Outstanding Thesis Award Winner
Juan Vega Ramirez, MA History, was selected winner of the 2022 Outstanding Thesis award for his thesis entitled Proselytizing Modernity: Reexamining the Summer Institute of Linguistics’ Tenure in Mexico, 1934-1979.
Alondra Adame, Winner of the 2022 CSU, Chico Outstanding Project Award
Master of Arts in English graduate Alondra Adame was the winner of the 2022 CSU, Chico Outstanding Project Award.
Gustavo Martir Luna Selected as a Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Fellow
Chico State alum Gustavo Martir Luna (MA, Psychology) was selected as the recipient of the Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program. The focus of Martir's research is in cognitive psychology and Moral Foundations Theory, particularly the cognitive processes used to process a persuasive political message.
Joanna Hooste, 2021 Outstanding Project Award Winner
Joanna Hooste, MA, English, was selected 2021 Outstanding Project Award winner for the culminating project entitled ON NOT KNOWING: A DISRUPTION.
Jacqueline Galimany Skupham, 2021 Outstanding Thesis Award Winner
Jacqueline Galimany Skupham, MA Anthropology, was selected winner of the 2021 Outstanding Thesis award for her thesis entitled THE INFORMATIVE VALUE OF THE PUBIC SYMPHYSIS FOR AGE-ESTIMATION IN A CHILEAN SKELETAL SAMPLE USING TRANSITION ANALYSIS.
Vivian Hernandez Selected as 2021–2022 Pre-Doctoral Scholar
Vivian Hernandez, a first-generation undergraduate student in History and Latin American Studies with Minors in Spanish and Global Development Studies, was selected for a CSU system-wide award from the Chancellor’s Office: the 2020-21 California Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program, also known as the Sally Casanova Scholars Program. Hernandez is one of 76 highly qualified California State University students who were chosen from 210 applications. Beyond the rigorous selection standards, it is also quite a rare accomplishment for an undergraduate student to be named a Sally Casanova scholar.
Deja Shevalier Selected as a 2021–2022 Pre-Doctoral Scholar
Deja Shevalier, a graduate student in Psychological Sciences, was selected for a CSU system-wide award from the Chancellor’s Office: the 2020-21 California Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program, also known as the Sally Casanova Scholars Program. Shevalier is one of 76 highly qualified California State University students who were chosen from 210 applications.
Edward Berdan Named 2021-2022 APSA Diversity Fellowship Program Fellow
The American Political Science Association (APSA) is pleased to announce that Edward Berdan, a master's student at CSU, Chico, has been named as a 2021-2022 APSA Diversity Fellowship Program (DFP) Fellow.
MSN Graduate Richard Burton Selected for 2020-2021 Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program
The Office of Graduate Studies is proud to illuminate one of our CSU, Chico recipients of the 2020-2021 Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), Richard Burton!
Tina Hanson-Lewis Selected for 2020-2021 Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program
The Office of Graduate Studies is proud to illuminate one of our CSU, Chico recipients of the 2020-2021 Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP), Tina Hanson-Lewis!
Gustavo Martir Luna Honored by Chancellor's Office with Prestigious Pre-Doctoral Award
Corey Tondreau Earns 2019 CSU Trustees' Award
Master's in Psychology graduate student Corey Tondreau has been selected as a 2019 California State University Trustees' Award William Randolph Hearst Scholar. Click here to read more about Tondreau's personal story of obstacles, perseverance, and success.
Dylan Stompe Winner 2019 Outstanding Thesis Award
Master of Sciences in Biological Sciences graduate Dylan Stompe was one of two 2019 Outstanding Thesis Award winners for his thesis titled "Habitat-specific diet analysis of Sacramento Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus grandis) and striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Sacramento River."
Jeanette Adame Winner 2019 CSU, Chico Outstanding Thesis Award
Master of Arts in History graduate Jeanette Adame was one of two winners of the 2019 CSU, Chico Outstanding Thesis Award.
Student/Alumni/Faculty Achievements
Graduate Students Supporting the North State
Click the links below for stories of Chico State graduate students supporting the North State.
MPA Student Yee Yang Is A Woman With A Goal
“I chose Chico because I am from Oroville,” she explained. “Since it is my goal in life to address and end poverty, I wanted to first start at the local level and help the community I came from.” Read more about Yee Yang...(opens in new window)
Ginger Alonso selected for 2018-19 Chancellor's Doctoral Incentive Program
CSU, Chico Master's graduate Ginger Alonso was selected as a 2018-2019 Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP) recipient.
2018 Outstanding Thesis Award to Rodney Thomson
Rodney Thomson, History, has been selected by California State University, Chico as the Outstanding Thesis Winner for 2017—2018. His history master’s thesis THE KHAWĀRIJ AND RELIGIOUS IDENTITY FORMATION IN EARLY ISLAM is exceptional and reflects the level of scholarly work and faculty mentoring we strive for at CSU, Chico.
2018 Outstanding Project Award to Daria Booth
Daria Booth, English, has been selected by California State University, Chico as the Outstanding Project Winner for 2017—2018. Her master’s project QUEENS OF SHEBA is exceptional and reflects the level of scholarly work and faculty mentoring we strive for at CSU, Chico.
Ashira Solomon Awarded Prestigious Boren Fellowship
California State University, Chico graduate student Ashira Solomon will expand on her formal education as she spends a year studying Hebrew in Israel and serving as a research intern with the Institute for National Security Services, working on research projects focused on United States-Israel relations as a recipient of the David L. Boren Fellowship.