We interview one of our keynote speakers for the NREA conference in Fall 2023, Dr. Joe Sanfelippo, Superintendent at Fall Creek, Wisconsin. We discuss the importance of elevating pride in schools and the initiatives to support the public image of schools. Working from a place of sincere ignorance helps humble us to meet and hear the needs of others. By building intentional interactions, we can meet people's needs and work to listen to others actively. 

This photo essay is part of a yearlong Chronicle visual series that highlights the challenges facing first-generation students and others. The series is part of the Different Voices of Student Success project, which is supported by the Ascendium Education Group.

The photo essay was created by Michael Theis, photo and media editor, with narrative by Alexander C. Kafka, senior editor. Erica Lusk, senior photo and media editor, edited the photographs. Carmen Mendoza, senior web producer, and Luna Laliberte, editorial-events coordinator, coordinated interviews.

Enrique (Ricky) Galvan strongly believes that higher education empowers the next generation of young people, and he has made it his life’s passion to encourage rural students to pursue this avenue. As a student success specialist at the newly renamed REACH Student Success Center at California State University-Chico, Ricky directly supports students with class selection, financial aid, and even personal issues. Our friends at Rural Schools Collaborative interviewed Ricky about his perspective on how Chico State reaches and supports rural students.