The events will include a speaker series, open houses, forums and receptions highlighting the college’s various departments and majors.
“We’re excited to showcase some of the amazing work the faculty and students of the College are doing to build healthier life styles, strengthen workforce and economic development, support families, partner with schools and communities, and contribute to local and global communities,” said John Lee, Dean of the College of Professional Studies.
The program kicks off April 1 with “Exploring Hands-on Learning Opportunities” from 5-7:30 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room. Each department in the College and its respective student clubs will demonstrate hands-on activities such as children’s book making, online classroom lesson plans, counseling interest inventories, concussion baseline and body composition testing, social work advocacy flyers and internship videos. The showcase is free and open to the public.
On April 2, the Department of Social Work presents “100 Years of Radical Social Work” from noon-2 p.m. in Goodwin Forum. Social Work Department Chair Ronnie Swartz will give a brief introduction of the department and its history, followed by a presentation by professor Cesar Abarca and his students examining the evolution of social work and its commitment to serving marginalized and suppressed communities. Professor Michael Yellowbird, co-author of the recent book “Decolonizing Social Work” will make closing remarks.
Social Work students and faculty are currently working to expand HSU student enrollment in the CalFresh program, which addresses lack of access to nutritious foods. Along with students and faculty in Child Development and Psychology, they are also partnering with local communities to strengthen children and family mental health and social services. Their work will anchor the proposed Pacific North Coast Child Trauma Institute.
On April 7 from 5-7:30 p.m., the Department of Economics will host alumni speaker Peter Perrault (’03, Economics) in Music A room 130. After graduating from HSU, Perrault earned a master’s degree in Economics from the University of San Francisco. He is currently senior consultant for environmental resources management and Board of Directors president of the Sustainability Management Association. Perrault will discuss the transition from student to professional life and answer questions about the value of an economics degree and strategies for applying to graduate school.
Currently, students and faculty in the department are conducting economics research on Marine Protected Areas, reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas, exploring the economic impact and modeling of creating renewable energy clusters in Humboldt County, and the environmental and economic costs of clean energy on fisheries.
Arturo S. Rodriguez delivers a talk as part of the Centennial Speaker Series on April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Van Duzer Theatre. Rodriguez is the second president of the United Farm Workers of America, assuming the role in May 1993 after founder Cesar Chavez’ death. A reception for Rodriguez will take place at 5 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan room. To attend the reception, RSVP to Jean Crockett at 707-826-3961 or jtc11@humboldt.edu by April 9. Admission to the Speakers Series is free, but tickets are required through the Center Arts Ticket Office (707-826-3928).
The School of Business will showcase student work from the Smullin Internship Program 5:30-7 p.m. in the Plaza Grill View room in Arcata. The program partners with local businesses to provide interns in areas such as marketing, accounting, strategic planning, social media and software application, and volunteer income tax assistance (VITA). The reception is invite-only. For more information, contact dawn.elsbree@humboldt.edu.
The celebration wraps up April 30 with a reception hosted by the Child Development Department honoring its community partners. The reception, which will take place from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Great Hall above the College Creek Marketplace, is invite only. For more information contact claire.knox@humboldt.edu.
For more on the College of Professional Studies, visit humboldt.edu/cps. For more on student internships offered through the college, click here.