California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico Wildcats dive into immersive programs and our tight-knit community—gaining skills, purpose, and confidence to lead in their careers and lives.

Chico State is home to a community of 16,000 students in over 150 experiential programs. A U.S News “Top Public School in the West” for 20 years running, we pride ourselves on our student-centered approach and our commitment to sustainability and community engagement. Our faculty encourage students to become the very best versions of themselves, focusing on personal and professional growth and dev

eloping in them the confidence to take daily action towards the issues and goals that are most important to them. Located in the city of Chico in Northern California, our location gives students access to everything the state capital and Bay Area has to offer, from boutiques and breweries to scenic woodland trails—not to mention our proximity to major NorCal cities like Sacramento. Our approach to learning means our students develop close connections to the local community and to the greater region that stretch far beyond classrooms and textbooks. As a result, Chico students graduate as natural leaders; socially conscious, intellectually curious, and ready to make an impact and drive positive change in their industries and communities. Proudly a part of The California State University system.

06/16/2026

What does it mean to truly have a voice? Chico State’s newest public art installation invites us to consider that question every day. Love Language/Yolotl Tlahtoa, created by Colorado-based artist David Ocelotl Garcia, stands in the heart of campus as a powerful reminder that our words, ideas, and aspirations have the ability to shape the communities around us. Inspired by the Nahuatl language and the traditions of Latin, Chicano, Mexicano, Native American, and Indigenous cultures, the work celebrates the beauty, complexity, and responsibility of expression.

The sculpture’s butterfly form features hearts, mouths, and speech scrolls representing student voices. Positioned along one of the busiest pathways on campus, it serves as both an artwork and an invitation: to speak with intention, listen with curiosity, and recognize the impact our voices can have on others.

As Garcia reminds us, what we put into the world travels farther than we may realize. In a university community dedicated to learning, dialogue, and discovery, that message feels especially meaningful.

Read the full story here: https://today.csuchico.edu/art-installation-free-speech/

06/11/2026

For Tom Ward’s students, part of the excitement of coming to class is seeing what he’ll be wearing that day.

The Chico State alumnus (History, Philosophy, ’96; Credential, ’02) has gained national attention for using fashion as a way to engage his middle school history students and bring lessons to life.

His story is a good example of how educators continue to find creative ways to connect with students and create lasting learning experiences. Ward's students may remember the outfits, but they’ll also fondly recall the teacher who made history feel relevant, engaging, and fun.

Read more: https://abc7news.com/post/mr-ward-style-northern-california-middle-school-teacher-goes-viral-incorporating-fashion-lesson-plans/19270924/

Chico State Alumni Association

When Joy Orlando lost her eyesight shortly after becoming a mother, returning to college meant learning in a whole new w...
06/10/2026

When Joy Orlando lost her eyesight shortly after becoming a mother, returning to college meant learning in a whole new way.

“I wasn’t ready to go back without braille,” she said. “There was no way to truly access the material.”

Years later, as a senior in the psychology program, she faced one of her toughest challenges yet: a biological psychology course built around visually identifying intricate brain structures. To make the material accessible, Chico State faculty and the Accessibility Resource Center built tactile, braille-labeled brain models to make the material accessible.

Together, they developed hands-on tools that transformed visual concepts into something Joy could read.

https://today.csuchico.edu/braille-labelled-brain-models-make-lab-accessible-to-psychology-student-who-lost-eyesight/

06/08/2026

Let’s hear it one more time for the Class of 2026! 🎓🐾 Wildcats, you’ve worked for this moment, and it shows. From the start of your journey to the moment you crossed that stage, you’ve grown, achieved, and made Chico State proud. Here’s to everything that tomorrow holds. 🎉

One weekend. Two graduations. 600 miles between. 🎓 When Joaquin Cervantes-González (Business Administration, ’26) crosse...
06/01/2026

One weekend. Two graduations. 600 miles between. 🎓 When Joaquin Cervantes-González (Business Administration, ’26) crossed the Commencement stage at Chico State this Spring, his family was there cheering him on. By Sunday, they were in San Diego celebrating his twin brother Diego’s graduation from San Diego State University.

For parents Adriana and Jesús González, both proud CSU alumni who now serve as lecturers for Fresno State's Liberal Studies ITEP program, pulling off the whirlwind weekend took careful coordination, grit, and a healthy dose of car karaoke.

“It was never really a question of splitting up and each attending one,” Adriana said. “We wanted to be there to hug each of them, to celebrate them in person. When they were born, we were both there. We are there for this, too.” https://today.csuchico.edu/csu-family-travels-600-miles-to-celebrate-twins-back-to-back-graduations/

05/22/2026

Loved every minute with you, Class of 2026! 🎓🐾 Your Wildcat family cannot wait to see where your next adventure takes you. This is only the beginning. 💫

05/20/2026

When asked to pinpoint the start of his trajectory as a world-renowned expert in disaster resiliency, response, and reconstruction, Kit Miyamoto (Civil Engineering, ’89) doesn’t hesitate: Chico State.

As founder and CEO of Miyamoto International, Miyamoto has spent decades helping communities recover and rebuild after earthquakes, fires, floods, and armed conflicts. His teams have responded to more than 100 disasters worldwide, assessed over 600,000 damaged buildings, and helped reconstruct more than 50,000 structures across the globe.

But long before the international recognition, global recovery missions, and engineering breakthroughs, Miyamoto was a Chico State student inspired by faculty who helped shape his purpose and passion.

“What made Chico State especially impactful was the access to professors and the close-knit environment,” he shared.

On Friday, May 15, Chico State proudly awarded Miyamoto an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his humanitarian leadership, engineering innovation, and lifelong commitment to safeguarding lives and strengthening communities worldwide.

Congratulations, Dr. Miyamoto. Your work represents the very best of Chico State and the power of using education in service of others.

Read the full story on Chico State Today: https://today.csuchico.edu/honorary-doctorate-2026/

Congratulations to Chico State's Class of 2026! And to everyone who’s supported them along the way, thank you for being ...
05/15/2026

Congratulations to Chico State's Class of 2026! And to everyone who’s supported them along the way, thank you for being part of the journey. More Commencement moments ahead, join in the celebration!

Find ceremony times and details on the Chico State Commencement website. https://www.csuchico.edu/commencement/

Can’t be there in person? Watch the live stream of the ceremonies and cheer on our grads from anywhere. https://www.csuchico.edu/stream/index.shtml

For behind-the-scenes moments and graduate stories, follow Chico State on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/chicostate/

Address

400 W 1st Street
Chico, CA
95929

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when California State University, Chico posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category