The Distinguished Alumni Award is among the University's highest honors, recognizing alumni whose achievements reflect Cal Poly Humboldt's commitment to academic excellence, service, leadership, and hands-on learning.
"Our Distinguished Alumni demonstrate the many ways a Cal Poly Humboldt education can shape lives, strengthen communities, and create meaningful change. Whether through journalism, education, public service, or advocacy, these honorees embody the values of curiosity, leadership, and service that continue to define our University. We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and the positive impact they are making throughout the world,” says Cal Poly Humboldt President Richard A. Carvajal.
The honorees will be recognized on Thursday, Oct. 8, during the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner during Lumberjack Weekend.
“Our alumni community is filled with remarkable individuals whose lives and careers reflect the spirit of Cal Poly Humboldt. This year's honorees have followed very different paths, yet they share a commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. Their achievements remind us that Humboldt alumni lead with compassion, creativity, and a deep sense of responsibility to their communities,” says Executive Director of Alumni Relations, Stephanie Lane.
Meet the 2026 Distinguished Alumni:
Meg Godlewski ('87, Journalism)
Meg Godlewski has built a distinguished career spanning investigative journalism, aviation education, and public service. As technical editor for FLYING magazine and a longtime reporter for General Aviation News, she has become one of the nation's most respected voices in aviation journalism. Her reporting has helped make complex aviation issues accessible to broad audiences while advancing safety and professionalism throughout the industry.
Godlewski's investigative article, "Death by Time Builder," exposed systemic safety concerns in flight training and has become required reading at flight schools across the country. Beyond journalism, she is a highly credentialed flight instructor who has trained and mentored aspiring pilots for decades. Her advocacy has also extended to historic preservation, helping spur efforts that led to the restoration of the famed Memphis Belle aircraft.
Godlewski credits the guidance of Humboldt faculty members and the University's experiential approach to learning with helping launch a career defined by curiosity, expertise, and service. She remains connected to Cal Poly Humboldt through campus engagement, such as her role in establishing a flight simulator at the Library and her mentorship with the Aviation Club, as well as creative work inspired by her student experiences.
“The university creates so many wonderful scholars and members of society. I am both humbled and honored to be named. My time at Humboldt gave me the tools I needed to be successful as a journalist and an educator of flight,” Godlweski says.
John McGuire ('74, Social Science)
For more than 50 years, John McGuire has dedicated his career to education, mentorship, and community leadership throughout California's North Coast. After graduating from Humboldt with a degree in social science and later earning his teaching credential, McGuire embarked on a career that would influence generations of students and educators.
McGuire served as a teacher, principal, superintendent, educational consultant, and Humboldt lecturer, earning numerous honors, including “California Teacher of the Year” and “Humboldt County Teacher of the Year.” He led educational innovation efforts by partnering with NASA, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Johns Hopkins University Institute for Educational Advancement to connect students with authentic scientific research opportunities and help shape mathematics and science education programs across the nation.
Outside the classroom, McGuire, a former Humboldt wrestling athlete, has spent decades coaching, mentoring, and officiating wrestling, while also serving nonprofit organizations and fostering international educational exchange programs. His lifelong commitment to service has positively impacted thousands of students, educators, athletes, and families.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized alongside so many accomplished Humboldt alumni. Having followed their achievements over the years, I am humbled to be included among them and grateful to be recognized for my career in education and the impact I have had on others,” McGuire says.
Scottie Lee Meyers ('12, Journalism)
Emmy Award-winning producer Scottie Lee Meyers has built a career in public media focused on elevating community voices and fostering meaningful public dialogue. As a producer for Milwaukee PBS, Meyers creates documentaries that examine issues ranging from veterans' experiences and youth mental health to refugee resettlement and the dairy industry.
Meyers also serves as co-host and co-producer of the award-winning podcast Speaking of... and previously worked with Wisconsin Public Radio, helping facilitate conversations with policymakers, experts, and community leaders. His journalism career has included reporting for local and regional news organizations, including the North Coast Journal and the Tribally owned Two Rivers Tribune.
Through documentary filmmaking, public broadcasting, and community-centered reporting, Meyers has demonstrated a commitment to journalism that informs, connects, and serves. His work reflects the values of empathy, integrity, and public service that continue to guide his career.
“Every journalist hopes their work makes a difference. To have my alma mater recognize that work is deeply affirming because it reminds me that the values I learned at Cal Poly Humboldt—curiosity, compassion and an appreciation for a good public square—have guided every step of my career,” Meyers says.
Maeve Talamantes ('17, Political Science)
Maeve Talamantes has dedicated her career to advancing housing justice and expanding opportunities for individuals and families experiencing housing insecurity. As a policy analyst for the City of Oakland, she supports program development and analysis and plays a key role in managing critical funding to support residents facing homelessness and housing instability.
Before joining the city of Oakland, Talamantes worked with organizations including the Seattle Housing Authority on its U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-funded Housing Choice Voucher Program, Catholic Community Services of Western Washington in Seattle, and St. Vincent de Paul in Marin County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a key role in helping numerous individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing amid unprecedented need.
A Political Science graduate who later earned a master's degree in Sociology and Politics from the University of Galway, Talamantes has built a career centered on equity-driven data analysis, dignity, and public service. Her work continues to improve lives through policy development, resource allocation, and community advocacy.
“Receiving this award is deeply meaningful. Humboldt played a significant role in shaping how I think, what I value, and the direction my life has taken. I look back on my years as a student with tremendous appreciation for the education and experiences that helped form the foundation of my career,” Talamantes says.
For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards and this year's honorees, visit humboldt.edu/forever/awards.