California State University-Fresno

California State University, Fresno, widely known as Fresno State, is a dynamic public research university nestled in the heart of California's Central Valley. As a proud member of the California State University system, Fresno State is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity," signifying its commitment to advanced scholarship and innovation. Beyond its robust academic offerings, the campus boasts unique facilities like an on-campus planetarium, expansive raisin and wine grape vineyards, and a commercial winery where student-made wines have garnered over 300 awards since 1997. It is also recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and is eligible for AANAPISI designation, celebrating its diverse student body.

Tracing its roots back to 1911 as the Fresno State Normal School, the institution was initially dedicated to training teachers for a rapidly expanding public education system. Over the decades, it steadily grew and transformed, becoming Fresno State College in 1949 with the authority to grant bachelor's degrees, and a charter institution of the State College System in 1961. The university relocated to its current expansive campus in 1956 and officially adopted its current name, California State University, Fresno, in 1972, although "Fresno State" remains its popular and preferred moniker, especially in athletic and community contexts.

Academically, Fresno State empowers its 24,310 students with a comprehensive array of programs, including 60 bachelor's, 45 master's, and 3 doctoral degrees, alongside numerous certificates and teaching credentials. Students benefit from exceptional resources such as the 50,000-square-foot Student Recreation Center and the third-largest library in the entire CSU system. The university's eight colleges and schools, from the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology to the Lyles College of Engineering, provide hands-on learning experiences, whether housing horses for the nationally ranked equestrian team on campus or cultivating the next generation of business leaders and educators. Fresno State truly offers a vibrant and enriching environment where students receive the light of knowledge to give it forth to their communities.