Fresno State Programs Get $450K Chevron Boost

By Myles Barker

Published 6 years ago on

January 25, 2019

For the second consecutive year, Chevron has gifted Fresno State with $450,000 to improve programs in STEM, healthcare, and economic development.
“Chevron has been a major leader in the Central Valley, contributing to a thriving region and Fresno State,” said Fresno State President Joseph Castro. “We hope to continue to strengthen our partnership with one another for the greater good of our region, nation, and the world.”

Big Lift for Community Mobile Health Unit

“We hope to continue to strengthen our partnership with one another for the greater good of our region, nation, and the world.” — Joseph Castro, Fresno State President

The university’s Community Mobile Health Unit will receive $150,000. The unit’s staff consists of nursing, athletic training, and dietetic students, and faculty. They provide free health education and screenings for blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, heart, and lung health.
The goal is to transform the lives of underserved individuals around Fresno and surrounding rural communities who cannot afford or don’t have convenient access because of transportation challenges.
“Healthcare, when I was growing up, was almost nonexistent,” said Marc Guzman, a reservoir supervisor with Chevron in Bakersfield. “So reaching out to the rural areas in West Fresno is always a great plus.”
The unit has served nearly 4,600 community members, said Dr. Jody Hironaka-Juteau, dean of the College of Health and Human Services.
In total, there have been over 134 unique site visits in areas that stretch as far as north San Joaquin County to south of Kings County, Hironaka-Juteau said. Over 200,000 service learning hours have been completed by as many as 550 students from Fresno State and throughout the community.

“Healthcare, when I was growing up, was almost nonexistent so reaching out to the rural areas in West Fresno is always a great plus.”— Marc Guzman, reservoir supervisor with Chevron in Bakersfield

“With generous support from Chevron, the community mobile health unit will continue to transform the lives of underserved individuals and support hands-on health education in an innovative, meaningful way by underwriting 20 visits serving West Fresno and Fresno County rural communities,” Castro said.

Other Recipients

Chevron’s donation also benefitted the following programs:
— Lyles College of Engineering’s Control Systems Laboratory – $140,000
— Lyles College of Engineering’s Engineering Pathways – $100,000
— Craig School of Business – Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s STEM 5 – $25,000
— Office of Community and Economic Development’s Parent University – $25,000
— Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management’s Homecoming – $10,000