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Debra Larson Honored by Her Alma mater for Her Outstanding Career and Commitment to Educating Students
Chico State Provost Debra Larson has been inducted into Michigan Technological University’s Academy of Technical Education Leadership for her outstanding academic and private sector career, and for her passion for developing innovative and hands-on educational opportunities that prepare every generation of graduates for success.
Larson has been the chancellor and vice president for Academic Affairs in Chico State since 2017. In this role, he oversees the University’s seven colleges, manages various academic programs and departments, serves as president of the board of the Chico State Enterprises, and collaborates with faculty, staff , and administrators to increase student success—both inside and outside the classroom.
Larson grew up on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering at Michigan Tech. He then worked as a civil engineer for over a decade and overcame biases and shattered glass ceilings along the way. He relied on that experience in his approach to his role at Chico State.
“The unprecedented challenges facing the world today require educators in every field to build the foundations of gender, social and cultural diversity,” said Larson. “We need more engineers, scientists and technologists. To achieve our goals and develop this profession, we need to be more inclusive and ensure every student has a path to pursue their dreams and interests.”
After earning a doctorate from Arizona State University in civil engineering, Larson began his career in academia. He served as chair, associate dean, and associate vice chancellor at Northern Arizona University for a span of 17 years. Thereafter, he was dean of the College of Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo from 2011–2017.
During his tenure at Chico State, he focused on priorities for sustaining student success and advancing the institution’s role and reputation for research. He provided critical leadership during the adoption of virtual teaching and learning for the COVID-19 pandemic, ensured continuity of education and support services during natural disasters such as the Campfire, and championed external funding for faculty research and projects, which in 2021–22 generated more than $45, 9 million in grants and contracts. He has also supported new programs, such as the launch of an online MBA program, and innovative pedagogies, such as faculty-learning communities to integrate sustainability into the curriculum at several CSU campuses.
“Provost Larson’s commitment to inspiring faculty, advancing knowledge, and creating pathways for student success was critical in our rise to fame,” said Chico State President Gayle Hutchinson. “His appointment to the Michigan Tech Academy for Engineering Education Leadership is just the latest honor in an extraordinary career and further testament to how lucky Chico State is to have him.”
This award is one of many that Larson has received over the course of his career, including the Excellence in Civil Engineering Education Leadership Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and two state-level ASCE leadership awards. In addition, he has served as an ABET evaluator and previously served as vice chairman of the ABET Academic Advisory Board. He has also served as governor for the Order of the Engineer, an organization dedicated to promoting the ethical and humanitarian responsibility of engineering, and most recently served on the executive team for the Council of Engineering Deans of the American Society for Engineering Education.
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About California State University, Chicago
At California State University, Chico, we empower students to Do and Dare in their careers and lives. Founded in 1887, Chico State is the second oldest institution on CSU’s 23 campuses, the largest public university system in the country. Chico State enrolls approximately 16,000 students and serves as a comprehensive university in North State, the 12-county area where the campus is located. 20 times US News & World Report “Best Public School in the West,” Chico State prides itself on its high-quality, high-value education, active and engaged student body, and strong relationships with local communities and the state of California. Recognized for their focus on sustainability and community engagement, students expand their possibilities through more than 380 academic offerings and co-curricular programs, and work closely with expert faculty to design solutions to the unprecedented global challenges of the 21st century.
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