Office of Undergraduate Education and Academic Success
Undergraduate Education (UED) advances equitable student success through curricular and co-curricular programs that attract students from diverse backgrounds and help them excel academically, build community, and launch life-long journeys of personal, intellectual, and civic discovery. A hub of campus innovation and collaboration, UED leads the Chico State community in continuously improving the way we educate students for purpose and success in the contemporary world.
Our Programs
Student Spotlight
The UED Outstanding Student Leader 2025 is presented to a student from a UED program who has demonstrated significant student leadership and has made a substantial contribution to the enrichment of student life at CSU, Chico. The 2025 UED Outstanding Student Leader award was presented to Ashley Robinson.
Ashley, a first-generation college student from Richmond, CA, has made a lasting impact at Chico State through her leadership, resilience, and deep commitment to uplifting others. She has been part of the REACH Program since fall 2021 (when she started as a first year 'mentee). Since then, Ashley has grown into a passionate advocate for underrepresented students. She has served as a REACH Peer Mentor for the last two years, providing support to 20 first-year students, who look to her as a role model, guide, and friend. In addition, Ashely works as a Cultural Program Coordinator at the Black Resource Center and is a NASPA Undergraduate Fellow. Ashley's dedication to student success has inspired her to pursue a career in higher education. After earning her B.S in Business Administration: Human Resources this May, Ashely will go on to graduate school in higher education and student affairs. I am confident that she will continue to inspire future generations and ensure they all receive the support they deserve.
Why you chose Chico State: I chose Chico State because of its close-knit community, which fosters more meaningful connections with both professors and peers. As a first-generation college student, affordability was a key factor in my decision. Chico State offered the most financial aid through FAFSA and maintained strong communication with me throughout the process, which made me feel supported. Additionally, the campus’s natural beauty highlighted by its trees and peaceful creek, offered a refreshing change of scenery. The walkability and bike-friendly environment of the city was another major plus.
Your Leadership quote/mission/vision: Two Leadership quotes that reflect my vision are:
“My leadership is rooted in representation because when students see themselves in the work, they believe they belong.”
“Titles don’t define leaders—impact does. I lead to empower, not to impress.”
These quotes capture my approach to leadership: authentic, inclusive, and student-centered.
Plans after graduation: I will be continuing my academic journey at CSU Fullerton in their Master of Science in Higher Education program. This summer, I’ll be serving as a Student Life and Student Success Intern at Whittier College through NASPA’s NUFP program. Additionally, I’ve been selected to attend the Dungy Leadership Institute at Michigan State University, where I’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with professional staff and connect with fellow NUFP students from across the country. My long-term goal is to become a Student Success Specialist or Retention Specialist, eventually advancing into a Program Coordinator role where I can lead initiatives that support first-generation, first-year, and transfer students.
Words of advice for current/future students: Take risks and try new things you grow the most outside of your comfort zone. Make the most of the resources available to you; they’re here for your success. Attend campus events, not just to have fun, but to build your network and find your place within the community. Especially with our new affinity spaces on campus!
UED Equity Champion 2025
The UED Equity Champion award goes to a UED employee who goes above and beyond in furthering our mission of supporting historically underserved students and equitable student success. Often the work of an equity champion is invisible or unrecognized, and we asked for nominations from our unit to help recognize those in UED who work tirelessly for the benefit of our students. The second annual award goes to Tang Lor, who works in Curriculum Services.
Tang's nominator, Nicol Gray, noted that "Tang is a constant advocate for equity in its many forms, particularly in her work with the catalog and curriculum. Tang’s skills in editing and writing are immensely beneficial when it comes to composing catalog content that is clear and inclusive for all students." She added that Tang "Outside of her work in Curriculum Services, serves the campus API community in many ways. She is Vice President of the Asian Pacific Islander Council and also a member of a Professional Resource Group (PRG) charged to draft and deliver campus climate surveys to APIDA campus population to guide services and programs through the APIDA center."
Tang is a Chico State alumna with a decade of experience as a newspaper journalist in the North State before returning to campus to edit the University Catalog. She supports departments through curriculum changes and reviews academic programs and courses, then presents those standards and policies in the catalog.
She also serves as Vice President of the Asian & Pacific Islander Council, upholding ingrained journalistic values of presenting truth and accuracy while amplifying marginalized voices. With degrees in journalism and linguistics, she appreciates well-crafted prose and enjoys challenging AI language models for the best writing. Outside of work, she’s a coconut-flavor enthusiast and is still searching for a local eatery that serves a great banh mi sandwich.
How do you define “equity” in your work?
To me, equity means intentionally finding and eliminating barriers so that every student—especially those from historically underserved groups—has access to support, representation, and opportunities that help them succeed.
When reviewing curriculum and building the University Catalog, I strive to use inclusive, accurate, and affirming language and images that reflect our diverse student body.
Through my work with APIC, I hope to amplify the voices and experiences of API students by fostering culturally responsive services and spaces where they are heard, seen, and supported. It's about building a sense of belonging in a campuswide community that respects and values their experiences.
What word of wisdom would you like to share with the next generation of equity champions in UED and at Chico State?
This work isn’t always easy—but it’s worth it. Find the approach that aligns with your values and stay committed. Speak up, even when it’s hard. Your voice, your story, and your presence matter. Lean into your lived experiences, lead with authenticity, and remember that change often starts with someone just like you.
Student Success Research Symposium and Awards
The UED Research Symposium & Awards Celebration is a showcase of faculty and student research and creative work related to equity and student success in higher education. In addition to sharing current research, the event celebrates the outstanding work of students, faculty, and staff who are advancing our understanding of equitable academic success.
2024-2025 Awards:
Early Career Community Engagement: Dr. Abbas Attarwala
Civically Engaged Scholar: Dr. Susan Gordon Green
Excellence and Equity in General Education: Jolene Barry
Excellence and Equity in General Education: Keiko Goto
Excellence in Course Design for Undergraduate Research: Hannah Burdette
Undergraduate Equity Champion: Tang Lor
Kirk Monfort Honors Award: Jesus Linares Ruvalcaba
Kirk Monfort Honors Award, Honorable Mention: Bobby Gordon
Kirk Monfort Honors Award, Honorable Mention: Lucy Lockmiller
Kirk Monfort Honors Award, Honorable Mention: Adam Ulmann
UED Outstanding Student Leader: Ashley Robinson
Innovating for Student Success
Undergraduate Education’s programs span the student experience from high school outreach to meaningful first-year learning in and outside the classroom to faculty-mentored research and opportunities for professional development through peer mentoring, public event planning, and community-engaged educational research.
Driven by leading-edge learning theory, the collaborative professionals of Undergraduate Education work in partnership with faculty and staff across campus to design and support student-centered curricular and co-curricular innovation. L
The CSU, Chico Graduation Initiative Advisory Team helps the campus focus efforts on student success and timely progress toward graduation with a quality baccalaureate degree. Learn more about the team and their mission here.(opens in new window)