Alumni Stories

Getting ‘At-Promise’ Young Men of Color to and Through College

Growing up, Michael Lynch (2011, Business Administration) says he was raised by a phenomenal single father and surrounded by a community of love in his hometown of Sacramento, California.

HSU Alumni Trek Through Six Rivers National Forest for Holiday Trees

Partnering with the U.S.

New York Times Editor Remembers Learning the Newspaper Biz in Humboldt

Growing up in San Ramon, California, Benjamin Hoffman (‘00, Journalism) was naturally an Oakland A’s fan. But his childhood dream was to be a writer.

An Entrepreneurial Approach to Digital Learning

Alaska. 1992. Christopher Macandless stumbles down a snow-covered trail with only a few belongings.

A Love of Fieldwork Leads to Washington

As a researcher at the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and Georgetown University in Washington D.C., Amy Scarpignato (‘11, M.S. Wildlife) is part conservationist and part investigator.

Winning HSU Debate Duo Takes Important Conversations into the Classroom

Debate partnerships are special relationships that require mutual respect and resilience.

Alumni Quartet Reunites to Sing HSU Alma Mater

For nearly four decades, Paul Sheppard (‘82, Forestry) has kept in touch with his old college choir buddies from Humboldt State.

Caring for Humboldt County’s Little Learners

As a young single mom, Shannon Hall (‘08 Early Childhood Development) entered a local business competition with the idea for a daycare that partnered with working parents.

A Lifetime of Service in International Aid

Like many undergraduates, Gregory Gottlieb (‘76, Political Science) was drawn to Humboldt by the enchanting redwoods and otherworldly allure of the rugged North Coast.

Working with Fishermen to Protect Endangered Seabirds

A fisheries biologist with a 39-year career conducting Sea Grant research, Edward Melvin (‘80, Fisheries Biology) is widely recognized as a global leader in seabird conservation.

New York City Homeless Advocate Began with Y.E.S.

Robin Pagliuco (’03, Anthropology) didn’t plan on working to streamline one of the largest supportive housing programs in the country and she certainly hadn’t planned on attending Humboldt St

2020 Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series Videos

Radio for the Win

A radio personality for Humboldt County radio station, KSLG, Sabina Gallier (’14, Journalism) is called a “boisterous force of nature with a twist of lime.”

Ricardo Sandoval-Palos – The Ears and Eyes of PBS Viewers

Ask Ricardo Sandoval-Palos (’81, Journalism) what he does exactly as the Public Editor & Ombudsman for PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) and he’ll tell you this: “If you have a problem wi

Sharing the Message of Body-Positivity

Jacqueline Themel (’14, Biology) wants to help people feel better in their bodies.

Yosemite's First Geologist, Wants You to Know How that Rock Got There

Since 2006, Greg Stock (‘98, Geology) has kept Yosemite National Park's four million annual visitors safe with his work.

Women Come Together to Expand Capacity in Prescribed Fire

Lenya Quinn-Davidson (‘09, Environment & Community) is used to working in a male-dominated field and for the last several years, the prescribed fire expert has been working hard to address equi

Telling Stories from the Heart

Kayla Molander ('12, English) started her college career with the modest goal of graduating.

Meet Humboldt State’s Distinguished Alumni

Humboldt State University has been recognizing the achievements of alumni since 1960 when the University launched its annual Who’s Who Award.

The Race to Save a Critically Endangered Bird

Growing up in rural Northern California, Hanna Mounce (‘03, Wildlife) was always surrounded by animals from her county fair chickens to the injured wild birds she often found and rehabilitated.

HSU a top Peace Corps Volunteer-Producing School

The Peace Corps announced today that Humboldt State University ranked 16th among medium-size schools on the agency’s list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities in 2020.

Another Environmental Science & Management Alumni Named River Manager of the Year

For the second time in eight years, a Humboldt State alum has been honored with a prestigious national award for their commitment to protecting and managing North America’s rivers.

Wildlife Conservation in the Era of Climate Change at Woodland Park Zoo

As the Director of the Living Northwest Initiative at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, Robert Long (‘91, Wildlife; Biology) spends his

Wildlife Biologist and Author Dedicates Life’s Work to Conservation

In early 1971, Craig Harrison (‘74, Biology) had just graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Biochemistry.

HSU's ‘Winter Wishes’ Provides Gifts for Local Kids

The HSU community chipped in again to provide holiday gifts for 134 local children in need.

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