President's Welcome

Greetings.

In this catalog, you will find a wealth of knowledge about California State University, Chico, an award-winning university and leader in inclusion, sustainability, and civic engagement. As you explore this site, you will discover people, programs, advising services, and other resources of a university guided by deep and enduring values and committed to student success, innovation, academic excellence, and transformative student experiences. Chico State leads in teaching, service, and scholarship; this has been our legacy since our founding 136 years ago.

A comprehensive, four-year university, Chico State embraces the motto “Today Decides Tomorrow” and encourages students to “Do & Dare” in their pursuit of an academic degree, personal discovery, and their own personal calling. Our sincere hope is to instill and cultivate the Do & Dare attitude in all who experience Chico State, challenging each of us to do what we love, and dare to bring our best to our community and to the world.

We aspire to create a vital and collaborative living and learning experience for our 13,000 undergraduate and graduate students in an environment devoted to reason, respect, civility and community, as well as an appreciation for our beautiful downtown home in the city of Chico.

Our mission is to serve Northern California, the state, the nation, and the global community by adhering to a set of guiding principles.

Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson, center, is surrounded by Cross-Cultural Leadership Center student and staff inside the CCLC.

Our pursuit of equity, diversity, and inclusion: We hold dear the values of multicultural respect, awareness, and understanding, and we pursue diversity not just as an idea to embrace but as a way of life. Chico State has an impressive record of effective diversity efforts that spans more than 50 years, but there is always more to be done. Today, we are building momentum to provide an excellent and equitable education for our students and to assemble a more diverse and innovative workforce.

Our focus on resilient and sustainable systems: We live in an interconnected world and have responsibilities to dwell responsibly in the present and be mindful of the footprint we leave behind. Chico State is frequently recognized for its longstanding commitment to providing leadership toward a more sustainable and resilient future. The choices we make today to maintain a clean environment, a healthy population, and sustainable practices will benefit future generations.

Our commitment to civic and global engagement: It is our mission to serve Northern California, the state, the nation, and the global community through excellence in learning, scholarship and creativity, and public engagement. Students at Chico State have opportunities to help meet a broad base of community needs, engaging through curricular and co-curricular experiences that actively involve them in serving the public good.

It is no secret that Chico State is a top-value school. We pride ourselves on the opportunities we offer, the transformation we witness, and the remarkable success of our students and alumni. The University Catalog is a gateway for you to discover how you might Do & Dare.

We invite you to consider joining us!

Gayle E. Hutchinson
California State University, Chico President