Why did you choose HSU?

I came to check out the environmental sciences programs on exchange and decided to stay on transfer after falling in love with the beauty of the area, the friendly love of Humboldt students and locals, and the social and environmental consciousness of everyone up here.

If we shuffled your iPod, what 5 songs would most likely come up first?

Ramones — I Wanna Be Sedated
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears — Gunpowder
Muddy Waters — Down By The Deep Blue Sea
The Mars Volta — The Widow
Old Crow Medicine Show — Wagon Wheel

Most embarrassing thing on your iPod?

Either a TON of Disney songs or the soundtrack to Broadway's Les Miserables

How do you have fun in Humboldt County?

Getting outdoors as much as possible. SO many beautiful hikes and climbs around the area and I try to go camping as much as possible. There's a lot of good shows to occupy my nights too!

What will you always remember about HSU?

My excursions into the dense understory of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park to find the elusive Grove of Titans.

What are you passionate about?

Environmental and political issues

Outdoor spot you love

Anywhere along the Jedediah Smith river

What has been your best experience at HSU?

Having my efforts towards environmental activism within the realm of gold mining in SW Alaska being brought into a broader light.

Most fascinating thing have you learned recently

My soil microbiology class blew my mind with the comparison that a virus is to a flea as a human being is to Mt. Everest

What are you plans after graduation?

Hopefully to get a job studying plant succession in recently deglaciated soils in beautiful, remote mountain settings. I just want to get paid to do what I love the most

What's your favorite class at HSU?

So far either Jeff Dunk's Natural Resource Conservation class, or Susan Marshall's Public Land Use Policy Management

Who was your favorite professor? Why?

Susan Marshall for being friendly and understanding, caring and personal while still being an expert on soil resources and spreading the word about how amazingly fascinating soils can be

Have any tips for new students?

Don't get so weighed down by schoolwork that you forget to get out and explore the natural resources all around you. We live in an exceptionally beautiful and rare place and it would be a shame to spend all your time at school here without getting to experience the absolute BEST of Humboldt.

What was the best thing you did last summer?

I didn't get to do much last summer due to an injury, but most recently I enjoyed a solo road trip back home to Texas along the southern U.S. border, camping and hiking the desert southwest. Expansive vistas, breathtaking Arizona sunsets, and towering saguaro cacti!