Inside Kendall Hall office 110, sits a large desk, a spacious bookshelf, and a window that looks out onto the blooming trees of CSU, Chico’s campus. The most compelling feature of this space is the wall covered with milestone photographs, greeting cards, and other gifts that students have given former Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Pedro Douglas.

“If it weren’t for the students I wouldn’t be here,” Douglas said. “The students are the most important aspect of my job.”

Douglas said he has always had a mission to help students at the University. When he came to CSU, Chico in 2001 as the director of the Student Health Center, students were his top priority. This did not change when he was named the associate vice president for Student Affairs in 2007. Even though he retired in March, Douglas knows that students will continue to grow and evolve into successful professionals.

“Sometimes in life, things can happen that will get in the way of our overall success,” Douglas said. “But I have never had any doubt that the students I’ve worked with will become successful individuals.”

Douglas saw something special in each of the students he would meet, even when they did not see it in themselves, and he encouraged them to keep going forward no matter what.

“I see potential in students just in the mere fact that they’re here. . . . Some of them may have doubted themselves. But I know that if they persevere, success is right around the corner,” Douglas said.

“I see potential in students just in the mere fact that they’re here..”

Douglas was a dedicated advocate of inclusivity on campus. In 2001, Douglas brought the National Undergraduate Fellowship Program (NUFP) to Chico State. NUFP encourages underrepresented students to pursue careers in higher education. The NUFP program aims to support and serve students of color, students with disabilities, students who identify as LGBTQ+, and students who come from marginalized communities.

Josie Gilmore, a CSU, Chico alumna and an administrative support assistant, has worked closely with Douglas since 2012.

“He has a humble and kind spirit,” Gilmore said. “Whenever I need sound and wise judgement, I go to Pedro. He is full of answers and experience. He’s created a family here. He goes above and beyond to help with student’s success.”

Gilmore is not the only colleague impacted by Douglas’s work at CSU Chico. Kathleen Moroney, interim director had built a special relationship with Douglas as well.

“He has become my best friend. He is dependable, respectful, unflappable and I don’t know what I am going to do without him.”

“He has been a wonderful mentor for me,” Moroney said. “He has become my best friend. He is dependable, respectful, unflappable and I don’t know what I am going to do without him.”

Douglas plans to move back to the East Coast to his former hometown. Although Douglas grew up in New Jersey, he lived in Connecticut for 10 years and plans to return there.

Family and friends are what draws Douglas and his family back to Connecticut.

“I love that my sons are going to be close to their aunties and uncles and grandparents,” Douglas said. “It will be great to be around friends that I’ve known for over thirty years.”

He plans on celebrating his return to the East Coast by hosting all the big holidays for his friends and family.

“I have already staked claim to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years,” Douglas said. “Those dinners will be at our house which is exciting because we’ll get to celebrate with our loved ones again.”

Douglas hopes that Milton Lang, the person taking his position,will continue to help the students of CSU, Chico for years to come. Even though he will miss his colleagues and peers, he is excited for the future.

“I thought this would be so much more sad than it is,” Douglas said. “And it is sad because I am going to miss a lot of the people here. But, wow, I am excited for the possibilities.”

Chico has many hidden gems, but one of its more resourceful and community-driven gems is the Discovery Shoppe. Since their start in 1959, the nonprofit’s purpose has been to help and give back to the community. They achieve this by donating profits to charities in Chico and surrounding areas.

Every year, an average of 11 local nonprofits receive funding for their projects from the Discovery Shoppe. Over the last 22 years, the shop has donated over $700,000 to local charities by selling high quality goods, which are generously donated by the community. The shop has operated solely through volunteer services since their inception. Currently, the shop has over 105 active members. This allows the shop to donate all their profits to charities at the end of each year. Due to limited space, the shop is restricted on the number of large items they can display to sell.

“Anything that is donated to us that we do not put in our shop we then donate to other organizations in town who can use them to re-sell . . . nothing is wasted or thrown away. If we can’t use them we find somebody who can,” said Liz Granskog, president of the Discovery Shoppe.

With their donations, the shop has funded many different projects in Chico and surrounding areas throughout the years. Sponsored projects include the renovation of the Chapman Elementary playground, new equipment for Enloe Foundation and Chico Military Heroes’ purchase of new flags.

The process of choosing the charities is simple. Every year, charities are nominated by all 105 members—charities can only be nominated by members. Once members have nominated charities, the shop’s committee gathers and contacts each nominee. Only nonprofit organizations qualify for sponsorship from the shop.

The purpose of the grants is to help fund projects and cannot be used to pay salaries or help with startups. Once each charity is verified for qualification, charities are scheduled to pitch their plan for using the grant money. Charities are voted on by all 105 members and winners are given their money by December 1. The winners then have one year to use the funds.

In order to make the selection fair, the shop has a system where winning charities have a four-year “cool-down” before they can be re-nominated by one of the members. This ensures that new charities win every year, and everyone in the community has the same opportunities. Having this balanced system allows the shop to give back to charities of all kinds of backgrounds. The shop members support a variety charities, such as the Hispanic Association for Community and Education, Special Olympics, and Butte County Council for the Blind.

The Discovery Shoppe is located on 315 Flume Street in Chico and they stock new items every day, so if you don’t find what you’re looking for you can always check back with them later.

The tables were set with white cloth. The chairs were tucked in place. The food area was plated with a variety of beverages and snacks. Everything was ready for the attendees. When it was noon, CSU, Chico students, faculty and community influentials trickled into the room to witness the 2018 Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion Award ceremony.

CSU, Chico started holding the Conversation on Diversity and Inclusion Award ceremony in 2008. This year, the ceremony was held on April 25 in the Bell Memorial Union.

The office coordinator of the Department of Diversity and Inclusion, Donna Humphrey, said, “The purpose of the award ceremony is to celebrate people who show an excellence in an aspect of diversity.”

Eight awards were given to influential individuals in the CSU, Chico community:

• Pulling Us Together
• Life Time Achievement
• Promising Newcomer
• After Chico
• Walk the Line
• Behind the Scenes
• Teach Back
• Taking it to the Classroom

Each award represents a different side to diversity. For instance, Pulling Us Together is about bringing the CSU, Chico campus together. This is done in several ways, such as creating an event or staging a protest. Whereas, the Promising Newcomer award is about a CSU, Chico employee with a fresh perspective on breeding diversity work on campus.

This year, the winner of Promising Newcomer is Stefani Baldivia. She started working at CSU, Chico in 2016 as an archivist. She is working on projects such as the Oral History Project and Chico Archive Toolkit to capture a variety of narratives.

“My biggest mission is to diversify that narrative, to diversify the rhetoric about who mattered and whose stories mattered because all of our stories contextualizes history and everyone matters,” Baldivia said.

In her work to create a diverse collection of narratives in the school archive, Baldivia focuses on recording more student stories.

“I was collaborating with a first generation student. We have worked together to get that really unique perspective on what it means to be a first generation person in a new college campus environment,” Baldivia said.

The award nominees are chosen by the CSU, Chico community. The University sends a campus-wide announcement to students and faculty via email. The message encourages everyone to nominate people who have done stellar work in the name of diversity.

Humphrey hopes that event attendees become motivated to make a positive impact in the community.

“The biggest thing is that we want people to be inspired. We want people to be inspired to take a stand,” Humphrey said. “Sometimes attending an award ceremony like this could be an inspiration.”

Here is the list of awards and winners:

“Today Decides Tomorrow,” is the mantra seen at the entrance of the Kendall Hall. CSU, Chico provides a learning environment for students from all backgrounds to go forth and be leaders in their future communities. Whether it be a CSU, Chico basketball player, a dedicated Gender Sexuality and Equity Center advocate or a hard working father, CSU, Chico gives each student support on campus now so they can succeed tomorrow.

Jalen McFerren, CSU, Chico Basketball Player

A friendly face, a calm exterior and a motivated individual. Jalen McFerren is a senior who, for the past four years, played and excelled for the CSU, Chico men’s basketball team. McFerren will graduate in May, with his BA in business with a concentration in marketing.

“The community is filled with great people,” McFerren said.

McFerren immerses himself within the CSU, Chico community, dedicating four years in Acker Gym for the men’s basketball team, working with the athletic department on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, taking part in the Black Student Union, working on campus at the student center in the technology department and also participating in the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.

“Be open to being yourself, let people accept you for who you are,” McFerren said.

“Be open to being yourself, let people accept you for who you are."

Come June, McFerren will start his career as a recruiter with Aerotek, a staffing services company in San Francisco.

“I want to go into a career where I can grow,” McFerren said.

There is no doubt that McFerren excelled at CSU, Chico. The experiences and values he learned while being student will stay with him as he goes into the next chapter of his life.

Severiano Christian, Dedicated GSEC Advocate

“Growth is the cornerstone for Severiano Christian’s experience at CSU, Chico. Christian is a senior double major in comparative religion and multicultural studies and will graduate in May.

Christian is also the current trans program coordinator for the Gender Sexuality and Equity Center. They joined GSEC in spring 2015 and became the trans program coordinator just one year later. Christian was also the recipient of the Chris Hilbert Award, which recognizes students who showcase characteristics of leadership and support to fellow students and the university.

“I would not be who I am and where I am without the GSEC,” Christian said.

“I would not be who I am and where I am without the GSEC.”

Nandi Crosby had the biggest impact on Christian during their time as a student. The support she offers as a professor at CSU, Chico, and the support of others, has left an impression on them that will last for years to come.

“To have someone be so vulnerable in a class setting and to really value the opinions of students and demonstrate what it means to be in a collaborative learning environment has done so much for me,” Christian said. “My growth has stemmed from my healing, and that wouldn’t be possible without Chico State’s campus.”

Through involvement in school politics with the GSEC and their studies academics, Christian decided to pursue a career dedicated to policy making.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the legislation side of things,” Christian said.

As for Christian’s future, they have applied to the Capitol Fellows Program and the MA program in education with a concentration in social justice and equity at San Francisco State University.

“Regardless of the outcome, I know I’ll be ok,” Christian said about their future after graduation.

Jack Thompson, Hardworking Father

As a father and nontraditional student at CSU, Chico, Jack Thompson’s daily success depends on his ability to manage his time.

“If I’m late it throws everything off,” Thompson said.

Thompson is a liberal studies major with a minor in psychology. He is a transfer student from Butte College and works as a Native American life-skills coach at Northern Valley Indian Health.

Thompson is the recipient of the Northeastern California Preparation and Retention of Indian Educators, a grant program for Native American individuals seeking a career in education. NorCal PRIE is a grant program that provides tuition support and stipends to those that will be using their training to benefit other Native American individuals.

With plans to continue his education through the CSU, Chico credential program, Thompson believes that utilizing the support that faculty and fellow students provide is an integral part of being a successful student.

“I would like to work more with Native Youth, because of the stigma of education that has been put on the youth living on Rancherias,” Thompson said.

After completing the credential program, Thompson hopes to focus his efforts on being a role model for Native American youth and finding ways to help educate them as someone who understands their point of view.

“I want to give them someone they can relate to … there’s not a big representation of Native teachers.”

“I want to give them someone they can relate to … there’s not a big representation of Native teachers,” Thompson said.

Thompson has taken the support system that CSU, Chico provides to students and will in turn be that same support for his future students.

No matter where you come from or what point you’re at in your life, CSU, Chico gives every student the positive and supportive learning environment they need to succeed. CSU, Chico is a place where students can be involved in the campus community, experience personal growth and become future leaders in their communities.

CSU, Chico is awaiting the replacement of Siskiyou Hall with a new four-to-five story physical science building. Not only will this building be supporting the highest quality of science education, it will also be playing its part in contributing to the diversity of the CSU, Chico campus. David Hassenzahl, dean of the College of Natural Sciences, explained that there would be gender and neutral unisex restrooms in the new building.

As the University is busy making plans for this project, several departments within this building have relocated. The Department of Multicultural and Gender Studies and the Dream Center have already relocated to the east wing of Meriam Library, neighboring the Cross Cultural Leadership Center.

The Dream Center is sharing a room with Path Scholars and in June 2018, and the Gender and Sexuality Equity Center will move into the same room as MCGS. With all of these organizations and departments moving within this proximity, the new location will be the heart of diversity within the campus community.

Prior to this move, these organizations and departments were spread out on campus. It was very difficult for GSEC, located in the Bell Memorial Union, to collaborate with the CCLC, MCGS or the Dream Center because each resided in a completely different area on campus. Sara Cooper of MCGS said there were challenges with the old location.

“We were in Siskiyou Hall, and you wouldn’t believe how much of a difference proximity makes … It has already inspired collaborations and it has allowed us to move a lot more seamlessly and efficiently in our planning [and] organization because we’re all right here,” Cooper said.

Along with the new neighbors, MCGS will also have a new roommate. Even though there will be challenges and compromises, GSEC director Rachel Ward is seeing through the growing pains.

“I would say in general this is a step in the right direction, specifically relating to the support that GSEC students, staff, faculty and interns need to be successful. I think the support piece is the most important part in addition to bridging gaps with other organizations and departments that care about the same things we care about,” Ward said.

These departments and organizations have a lot to look forward to with this move to the east wing of Meriam Library. For the Dream Center, it is a step towards one day getting their own office space.

“We’re really grateful and happy we have a space. We are making it work, and if we’re going have roommates we’re glad it’s the PATH Scholars. They’re great and so we work together and everything which is why we hope in the near future we could each get our own space, so we can provide the services each student deserves,” said Elizabeth Alaniz, program coordinator of the Dream Center.

Like clockwork hundreds of employees come to the the CSU, Chico campus to start their work day. Although it may not be clear just by looking at them, some of these employees are United States veterans. Whether they are working behind a desk, in the classroom or face-to-face with students, these veterans share one very unique experience.

According to the Pew Research Center, the 2010 Current Population Survey estimates there are over 22 million veterans living in the United States today. Out of this demographic, 1.8 million of these veterans are women.

One of these women is Eileen Chavez, an administration analyst for the university is a veteran who is employed at CSU, Chico and served in the United States Army. Chavez feels that it was the strong sense of bond that drew her to the Army and to CSU, Chico.

“Chico State is very similar to military life. You’re a unit and your unit is always your priority,” Chavez said. “You watch out for your people. You have a person on your left and a person on your right, you have their backs and they have yours.”

Chavez said she learned a lot of important lessons from her time in the Army. She said she applies these values to all aspects of her life, including her work on campus.

“In the Army, they break you down and then they build you up. They put us through these confidence building exercises. These things just made you feel so empowered. I know I can do anything. Fear is never going to hold me back from anything,” Chavez said.

Donna Humphrey, the office coordinator for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is another veteran who is employed at CSU, Chico. Humphrey served in the Air Force for three years beginning in 1986 in multiple locations and various roles.

“The people, the community—everyone was so accepting,” he said. “Everyone was curious about me as an individual and who I was without judgement. And, everyone was here for the same reason—to go to school to find themselves.”

Humphrey said that joining the U.S. Air Force gave her skills that she continues to use throughout her career.

“One of the biggest things I learned while in the military is accountability,” Humphrey said. “When I was in the Air Force our mission was to make sure planes were able to fly. In higher education our mission is to support students. So even though they are different there are parallels because you have definite missions and definite structure.”

According to Humphrey, the sense of comradery and fellowship in the military is similar to culture at CSU, Chico. As a first-generation student and someone who identifies as LGBTQ+, a sense of community is very important to Humphrey. She said that working for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion has allowed to her to help others.

“I knew I was gay by the time I was fourteen,” Humphrey said. “And I didn’t come out until I was 40. It’s not that my parents weren’t supportive, it’s just not something that I saw. I only saw one type of story. That’s why I think the Office of Diversity and Inclusion is so important, because people can share their stories and it humanizes them.”

Annabel Grim is the director of a audits and continuous improvement at CSU, Chico. She joined the Navy after she turned 18 and feels that the inclusion and solidarity of the military is what helped her gain leadership skills she uses in the professional world.

“Diversity and inclusion is fundamentally in their [Navy] core values,” Grimm said. “People from all backgrounds and experiences come together with one mission, to serve. In one way, everyone is the same, a sailor, a soldier, a marine.”

Although these women have varied and unique life experiences, they all have one unifying experience. Whether it be joining the military and serving the United States or coming to CSU, Chico and serving the students, these women have impacted countless lives.

When Vice President for Student Affairs Drew Calandrella announced his retirement, the search committee at CSU, Chico went on a nationwide hunt looking for the perfect candidate to fill the role. The search lasted for six months, until the committee selected Milton Lang as the new vice president for Student Affairs.

“There’s all aspects of student affairs that he’s worked with … he brings all that knowledge here … which means he’ll use elements of his past work in ways that we hadn’t thought of before and that’s what you want in a leader,” Charles Zartman, chair of the search committee, said of why Lang was chosen to fill the role.

Lang already has history with CSU, Chico. Twenty-five years ago, he was a first-generation student who attended the University, but he was forced to drop out when he did not have the funds to continue his degree. However, that did not stop him. After taking some time off from school, he worked full time to save enough money to return to CSU, Chico and finish his bachelor’s degree in social work. He later attended Washington State University where he obtained an EdD in higher education administration and a master’s degree in education.

Lang plans to focus on support for low income and first-generation students.

“I’m going to do all that we can to create the kind of infrastructure, the kind of programs that will continue to provide access to higher education for our students,” Lang said.

Lang said he also wants to focus on mental health and help create an environment that is safe for students, allowing them to focus on their education. Lang added that providing great health services for students was a priority.

Lang doesn’t just have big plans for the future, he cares about the students and loves having the opportunity to connect with everyone on campus. When given the chance, he likes to meet with everyone: alumni, community members, athletes and students in general.

In February, he participated in one of the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center’s (CCLC) outings, which was a dinner and storytelling event.

“It was an opportunity to meet a very diverse group of students and have a conversation about their experience here at Chico State.”

Karla Guzman, a paraprofessional at the CCLC, sat next to Lang during the event.

“I got to hear his experience as an undergrad at Chico State and about how a lot of the similar struggles he went through, students of color still go through to this day … it was a bonding experience,” Guzman said.

Lang participates in these types of events when given the opportunity because it allows him to connect with students on a deeper level.

“We’re all wildcats and we’re all in this together,” he explained. “No student should feel alone … you have people who are here to help you and support you.”

The man who orchestrated the March in Washington gave a speech the same day on Aug. 28, 1963. He stood behind the lectern, gazing at the crowd as he preached the immortal words that helped bring diversity, equality and justice to our lives. Martin Luther King Jr. was a prominent civil rights leader who sacrificed his life to end segregation and win the battle for equal rights.

April 3, marks King’s 50-year remembrance anniversary. CSU, Chico honored King with a five-day celebration of his legacy.

“I think not everyone knows what King contributed to our society, our fabric of our society. So it is an opportunity to come together,” said Tray Robinson, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. “It’s an opportunity to look where we are going forward as a community.”

The festivities started on April 3 and ended April 7. The five events CSU, Chico hosted were Rosa Parks Bus Boycott Reenactment; Film & Discussion: Salute; Courageous Conversations: Fostering the Common Unity within Community; Courageous Conversations: Where Do We Go from Here Chaos or Community; and MLK Community Workshop Service.

“We took a trip through time in regards to history with some of the events like the reenactment,” Robinson said.

The reenactment educated attendees about the actions of civil rights activist Rosa Parks who launched a bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. During this time, the law restricted black people from sitting in the middle row, known as No Man’s Land, if there were white bus riders who needed a seat. Parks challenged the law by refusing to stand up and give her seat to a white bus rider.

The reenactment allowed attendees to be one of the people on the bus and get a glimpse of life during that time.

“I think it gave me a lot more perspective. I think it did kind of hit me on an emotional level,” said CSU, Chico student Emma Woodby. “I played the police officer and it kind of made me think about how I would react in that situation.”

The roles in the reenactment were randomly assigned and there was a discussion period where attendees reflected on the role they played, said Joseph Wills, an event coordinator for the reenactment.

“It can be really meaningful for someone who has a role that speaks to them or it could be meaningful to get a role that says ‘this isn’t me, I would never just sit on the bus and not say something’ and so the role that you get is valuable,” Wills said.

The Film & Discussion: Salute walked people back in time to the 1968 Olympics, when two black athletes raised a black-gloved fist during a medal ceremony for the 200-meter running event, while Australian athlete Peter Norman, wore an Olympics for Human Rights badge. Attendees got to watch these athletes’ story unfold.

“When I first saw this movie, I was very much moved and I wanted to share to everybody, especially young people who will be carrying this legacy into the future,” said Kimihiko Nomura, an event coordinator for Film & Discussion: Salute.

Robinson’s hope is that these events will educate people on King’s legacy of fostering community and diversity.

“I want them to walk away realizing that we are a community, that there are differences of opinion and even though we have differences of opinions doesn’t mean we can’t support each other and listen to each other,” Robinson said. “People can walk away with one new thing that they’ve learned about his effort. That would be amazing.”

The man behind the lectern may have finished his speech, but we can continue to spread his legacy and speak immortal words of our own.