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College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (CAHSS) is an artistic, creative, and intellectual community. It is an equitable partnership of staff, faculty, and students who are devoted to teaching, learning, and collaboration. The many fields within CAHSS provide the greatest breadth for service-learning, creative engagement, and professional opportunity within a diverse and changing society.
Hands-on Experience
Our programs and majors offer many unique opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom including student performances, studios, laboratories, newsrooms, internships, and more. Hands-on learning enriches the student, the university, and the community, tying academic study to real-world experiences.
Study Abroad
Studying abroad is an exciting way to enhance an undergraduate experience through exposure to different cultures, languages, and communities. Travel, explore, embrace new environments, all while making progress toward graduation.
Personal Attention
It’s the difference between sitting through a lesson and playing a role in creating it. Feel challenged by faculty who expand students’ worldview and supported by departments that pride themselves on personalized attention.
Alison Holmes, Loren Collins
Politics
Dr. Alison Holmes (Politics) and Loren Collins (Director, Advising) presented "Career Curriculum: From Destinations to Pathways" based on their years of working together on campus career curriculum and with the Karuk Education Department, as well as research Holmes has done on "Transformation 8" curriculum to support study abroad and a review of career programming for her graduate certificate in Native American Studies. This annual conference (hosted by a different city/tribe each year) brings career and employment/training professionals from across the country, so their presentation focused on practical ways to create a more "storytelling", holistic, and culturally aware career pedagogy.
Alison Ruth Holmes
Politics
At the end of May, Professor Alison Holmes (Politics & International Studies) was invited to speak to the Redwood Empire Division Meeting of the California League of Cities in Fort Bragg on the topic of: "When Global Issues Reach City Hall: Emerging Trends and the Growing Need for a Small City Strategy." Based on her research on the international affairs of California and subnational diplomacy more broadly, Holmes outlined the increase in activity by cities at the global level and presented a practical guide for any city interested in creating a strategy that could both help protect them from global risks and take advantage of potential opportunities. As well as members from across the division, Cal Cities President Gabe Quinto (mayor of El Cerrito) and CA League of Cities CEO Carolyn Coleman were also present. After discussion, members agreed that future work in this area may be necessary given the growing impact of chaotic international affairs on local politics.
Sarah Lasley & Nicola Waugh
Art + Film
Film professor Sarah Lasley recently received the prestigious 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship. Lasley’s award will support "MUCKRAKERS,” a short hybrid documentary that explores waste, labor, class, and climate migration in Humboldt County, co-directed with Art + Film Lecturer Nicola Waugh.
CAHSS Alumni Updates
Michael Stockstill
Journalism, 1971
Michael published the second book on the history of the planning and development of the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California. Title “Irvine Ranch Fulfilling the Vision 1977-2025”
Nick De Anda
Music, 2023
Nick recently made his on-screen debut as a featured extra on the fifth season of Abbott Elementary on ABC and Hacks on HBO. He shares scenes as a background musician with lead actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jean Smart. You can spot him playing guitar in the season finale of Abbott, "Miami", and episodes 1 and 9 of the final season of Hacks.
With the assistance of his teaching experience at Humboldt and abroad, Nick has been tasked with 12 students at Surf City Music School in Westminster, California. He continues to volunteer teaching veterans at his own branch in Orange County with Guitars 4 Vets and has now graduated 20 students from his ten-week course, who were awarded brand-new guitars.
Outside teaching, you can find him playing in pit orchestras for musicals, church bands, mariachis, jazz big bands, and performing background music at country clubs, wineries, wedding venues, and private events. Earlier this year, he became a brand ambassador for Alhambra Guitars, a Spanish manufacturer with a rich heritage. Nick can be seen demonstrating their different models on Sweetwater.com.
Jon Pede
Environment & Community (Social Sciences), 1990
Dr. Jon Pede retired over a year ago as a middle school Principal. He is currently working as a University Supervisor for Pacific University as a teacher license candidate supervisor supporting special education teachers. He just completed his first book on supporting first year School Principals. He hopes to publish in the coming year.
Upcoming Events
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CAHSS News
- Congratulations to the Class of 2026! (PHOTOS)
- Campus Research and Creativity Take Center Stage at 13th Annual ideaFest
- Humboldt Calypso Band Marks 40th Anniversary with Special Guest Artists
- $1 Million Grant Funds Study on Greener, Cleaner Cannabis Farming
- Trailblazing Cultural Property Scholar and Violin Maker to Receive Honorary Degree
- Art + Film Professor Sarah Lasley Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship