Provost Communication, Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

As the spring semester comes to a close, we gather in a season of reflection, pride, and joyful anticipation. This is a time when the Redwood Bowl fills not just with graduates, but with stories of perseverance, growth, community, and possibility. It is a time when we honor not only academic achievement, but the many identities, cultures, and journeys that shape who we are as a campus.

In the days leading up to commencement, our Cultural Graduation Celebrations offer spaces of deep meaning and connection–celebrations where students are recognized in the fullness of their communities. From the Q Graduation Celebration to the All Native, Black, ADPI+MENA, and El Centro celebrations, each gathering reflects the richness of our collective story and the strength found in belonging.

And then, together, we arrive at the grand finale: Spring Commencement in the Redwood Bowl. Across three ceremonies, we celebrate the achievements of the graduates of the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, the College of Natural Resources & Sciences, and the College of Professional Studies. We celebrate not just what has been accomplished, but who our graduates have become, and all that they will go on to create.

Please join me in congratulating all of our graduates, and let’s celebrate together at any of the many opportunities available this week.

Spring Commencement: Saturday, May 16, 2026 in the Redwood Bowl

• College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences: 8:30 am

• College of Natural Resources & Sciences: 12:00 pm

• College of Professional Studies: 3:30 pm

Cultural Celebrations

All Cultural Celebrations are occurring at the Blue Lake Sapphire Palace Event Center this Thursday and Friday. More information can be found at the following link: Cultural Celebrations

• Q Graduation Celebration: Thursday, May 14 at 2:30 pm

• All Native Graduation Celebration: Thursday, May 14 at 6:00 pm

• Black Graduation Celebration: Friday, May 15 at 12:00 pm

• Asian, Desi, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and North African (ADPI+MENA) Graduation Celebration: Friday, May 15 at 4:00 pm

• El Centro Graduation Celebration: Friday May 15 at 6:30 pm

Celebrating Student Excellence: Lorena Cortez Earns 1st Place at CSU Research Competition

Please join us in congratulating Lorena Cortez, a graduate student in Education, for her first place award in the Education Category at the 40th Annual CSU Student Research Competition, hosted this year at San José State University.

Under the mentorship of faculty member Tristan Gleason, Lorena presented her research titled, “Amplifying Counterstories and Testimonios about Latine Rural Youth: The Education Experience of Oaxacan-American Youth in Rural Humboldt County.” Her work highlights the lived experiences of Oaxacan-American students, elevating voices that are too often underrepresented in educational research and contributing critical insights into equity, access, and belonging in rural educational contexts.

This achievement reflects not only Lorena’s scholarly excellence and dedication, but also the strength of faculty mentorship and the meaningful, community-engaged research taking place at Cal Poly Humboldt.

And on that note, I bid our faculty a fond farewell for the summer, and wish our staff ample time to enjoy some recreation, rejuvenation, or anything else of their choosing. Provost Communications will recommence in the fall semester. Until then, be well. 

Sincerely,

Shawna Young