Recognizing the achievements and contributions of the Lumberjack community
2024 Distinguished Alumni
Mark Bransom (‘87, Natural Resources Planning & Interpretation) is the CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation with 25 years of experience in water resources and environmental management. He is leading the KRRC to support the restoration of the Klamath River by removing four hydroelectric dams.
Dan Sealy (’75, Natural Resources) is a dedicated environmental advocate and mentor who retired from a 33-year career with the National Park Service. He volunteers with the Northcoast Environmental Center board of directors, serves on the cabinet of Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation’s Boldly Rising Campaign, and is the Humboldt alumni representative of the California State University Alumni Council.
Aldaron Laird (Biology) , has contributed to environmental planning, sea-level rise assessment, and habitat restoration in the Humboldt Bay region and beyond. His interdisciplinary expertise has had a profound impact, from early work in tree planting and watershed restoration to documenting threats to local infrastructure and advancing planning for sea-level rise.
Jessie Uehling (‘10, Botany, ‘12, M.S. Biology) is an assistant professor at Oregon State University. She's a passionate mycologist known for groundbreaking research on tropical ectomycorrhizal fungi, the fungal microbiome, and psilocybin policy development. With over 30 published papers and textbook chapters, she's dedicated to research, service, teaching, and mentoring students.
Mark Murray (Political Science) has been a leader in environmental and recycling policy in California for more than three decades. He is developing, advocating, and negotiating much of California’s waste reduction and recycling policy, from the Bottle Bill to E-waste recycling to the ban on plastic grocery bags.
Sawar Young-Tripp (‘99, Biology) is the first person from the Yurok Tribe to become a medical doctor. She practices medicine in Humboldt at the Open Door Arcata Community Health Center, emphasizing whole person care and serving approximately 1,000 patients. Her dedication to patient care has made her a beloved and respected figure in the community.
2024 President’s Distinguished Service Awards
Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson, Jr. recognized the accomplishments of three honorees for tFormer Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson, Jr. recognized the accomplishments of honorees for their meritorious contributions to the University and community.heir meritorious contributions to the University and community.
For more than two decades, Kellie Jo Brown has shared the story of Cal Poly Humboldt as the official University photographer. She graduated in 1990 with a B.S. in Applied Art & Design with a Photography emphasis. She joined the Marketing & Communications team and since then, she has captured authentic moments at the University, reflecting her commitment to supporting the success of students, faculty, and staff. That shows in her passion for collaborating with diverse members of the campus and local communities. She is an equally dedicated artist, playing with angles, shadows, depth and colors that reflect the wonders of the world in the classroom and beyond.
President and CEO of American Hydroponics Jenny Harris is a longtime supporter of students through the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation, which ran the largest comprehensive campaign in University history, Boldly Rising. The former board chair and current Campaign cabinet member, Harris helped double the Campaign’s fundraising goal to $50 million. Under her leadership, the Foundation purchased property, holding it an investment until the University needed it. The property is now the future site of a new student housing complex that will house nearly 1,000 students.
Karen Diemer (‘91, Wildlife Management), longtime City Manager for the city of Arcata, has dedicated her 30-year career to public service. Her work to build a deep partnership with the University led to the employment of hundreds of interns and staff. Under her leadership, the city built programs to improve the water quality of local creeks and the bay; and to expand trails, and transit and bike services. Diemer assisted in the founding of Equity Arcata, a program designed to remove racial barriers and ensure students, staff, and faculty of all backgrounds feel safe and welcome in Arcata.
Jim and Sharon Redd, retired owners and brokers of Four Star Realty for over 44 years, are recognized as local business and community leaders who believe in the power of Cal Poly Humboldt athletics to build character and shape the future of students. Jim (’74 Rangeland Resources Management) was past president of the Humboldt Association of Realtors and on various committees at the state and local levels. Sharon is a member of the Cal Poly Humboldt Boldly Rising Campaign Cabinet, past president of the Humboldt Association of Realtors, and a 35-year member of Soroptimist International of Humboldt Bay. The Redds have regularly hosted the football and basketball teams at their home for team dinners. They helped establish an endowment fund for basketball and have made a commitment to support athletics scholarships., longtime City Manager for the city of Arcata, has dedicated her 30-year career to public service. Her work to build a deep partnership with the University led to the employment of hundreds of interns and staff. Under her leadership, the city built programs to improve the water quality of local creeks and the bay; and to expand trails, and transit and bike services. Diemer assisted in the founding of Equity Arcata, a program designed to remove racial barriers and ensure students, staff, and faculty of all backgrounds feel safe and welcome in Arcata.
2024 Outstanding Students of the Year
Karina Juarez (‘24, Fine Arts & Art Education) is a ceramist who embraces her Zapotec ancestry through her art. She is dedicated to sharing knowledge and expanding space for underrepresented artists in ceramics. Outside of her art, she volunteers at Centro del Pueblo to support the Latinx community of Humboldt County.
Aerin Monroe ('24, Environmental Studies) is a member of the Indian Natural Resources, Science & Engineering Program + Diversity in STEM (INRSEP+) program. He is committed to promoting well-balanced leadership and stewardship of resources. Monroe co-founded Pathways of Purpose, a nonprofit focused on empowering youth and the community through STEAM education and vocational programs.
2024 Staff Recognition
Sulaina Banks
Visit Experience Coordinator
Office of Admissions
Stacy Becker
Community Partner Coordinator
Center for Community Based Learning
Marisa "Meeka" Day
Scene Shop Technician/Scenic Painter
Department of Dance, Music & Theatre
Deserie Donae
Former Registrar, Currently Interim Director of Enrollment and OLLI
The College of Extended Education & Global Engagement
Aubrey Emmons
Administrative Support Coordinator
Redwood Coast K-16
Educational Collaborative
Benjamin Funke
Instructional Support Technician, Sculpture
Department of Art + Film
Jennifer Gomes
Lead Dispatcher/Records Manager
University Police Department
Marissa "Mari" Holguin
Transfer Coordinator
Office of the Registrar
Elizabeth Lujan
Student Financial Analyst
Student Financial Services
Bernie Levy
Special Education Program Coordinator
School of Education
Laurie Marx
Department Coordinator
Department of Geology
Kristen Radecsky
Senior Research Engineer
Schatz Energy Research Center
Kimberly Vincent-Layton
Educational Developer
Center for Teaching & Learning
Jim Woodhead
Studio Art Technician
Department of Art + Film
Honorary Degrees Recognize Aileen Meyer and Dan Phillips
Aileen Meyer, vice chairwoman of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, and Dan Phillips, executive vice president and chief technology officer at Chamberlain Group, were awarded Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters for their significant contributions to their respective communities, as well as their ongoing support for Cal Poly Humboldt and the North Coast.
Aileen Meyer is the vice chairwoman of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria and a longstanding and formative leader in Tribal Affairs of the Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria, serving the Tribe in multiple capacities throughout her storied career. She has worked for years to foster and advance governance and structures and document and disseminate cultural traditions. She has provided leadership in the building of a casino and Tribal headquarters as well as led various housing projects to house Tribal members in need.
Following the re-establishment of Tribal recognition of the Bear River Band and 17 other Tribes in the Tillie Hardwick Supreme Court Decision in 1983, she organized and acted as one of the authors of the Tribe’s inaugural constitution. She worked to enshrine the Tribe’s governance in 1985, acting as its first chairperson, and pursued significant federal grant funding and other resource allocations for essential initiatives, all the while navigating and combating existing structural barriers.
Meyer has an impressive knowledge of constitutional law and Tribal history, which she has used to serve her Tribe. Meyer is a committed leader for the Tribal community and a strong example of service, resilience, and tireless dedication to bringing positive change to the Humboldt County area.
Meyer has made an extraordinary impact on thousands of lives in the community surrounding Cal Poly Humboldt. Her lifetime of selfless determination embodies the purpose of The California State University system to provide opportunities for all individuals to develop intellectually, personally, and professionally, while contributing to California’s economics, culture, and future.
Dan Phillips (‘91, Business and Computer Information Systems) is a great Humboldt County success story. He grew up in the small, rural town of Bridgeville and went on to become a leading innovator and entrepreneur in the technology industry.
After graduating from College of the Redwoods and Cal Poly Humboldt, Phillips started a business with one of his professors, which led to many new opportunities. He then moved to the Bay Area and served as chief operations officer at TiVo and later as chief technology officer at Hulu, where he was responsible for product management, engineering, and company operations. Currently, he is the executive vice president and chief technology officer at Chamberlain Group.
He shares his knowledge, expertise, and resources to make a positive impact. In particular, he has been active in leading the University's first comprehensive fundraising campaign, Boldly Rising, which has been very successful. Phillips and his wife, Cindy, donated over $1 million in scholarships to support Humboldt students from the Eel River Valley.
Phillips, along with alumnus and donor John Ballard, co-founded Lost Coast Ventures, a nonprofit fund providing seed money to aspiring entrepreneurs at Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods. Any profits are reinvested in additional businesses or used to benefit the College of the Redwoods and Cal Poly Humboldt. Phillips also mentors students and faculty through the nonprofit.
Phillips’ leadership, humility, and positivity inspire those around him. He has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to supporting students at Cal Poly Humboldt and throughout the North Coast.