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The CSU has a new policy on freedom of expression. Learn more.

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.

fours theatre students acting on a stage

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.

group of traveling abroad students

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.

students sitting in a circle with a professor

Place-Based Learning Communities

Learning goes beyond the classroom at Humboldt. We learn from the environment we are in. Our Place-Based Learning Communities provide you with a tight-knit community of like minded peers before classes even start. These connections will help you navigate college life, gain confidence, succeed academically, and gain a sense of belonging within the Humboldt community.

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Achievements

CAHSS Achievements

Faculty

Alison Ruth Holmes

Politics
Submitted: January 15, 2025

Professor Alison Holmes (Politics) has passed the Yurok Bar Exam and was sworn into the Yurok Tribal Court Bar by Chief Judge Abby Abinanti in January. She is now Yurok Bar #97.  

Faculty

Alison Holmes

Politics
Submitted: December 23, 2024

Dr. Alison Holmes (PSCI) served as Vice Chair of International Research on the organizing committee of the CSU International Forum (Dec 12-13) at CSU Chico. She has been instrumental in extending the reach of what has been an annual staff event (hosted by the Chancellor's Office) to now include faculty. The goal is to better connect CSU faculty doing international research as well as staff and faculty supporting students going abroad and international students on our campuses. She also presented a paper on the continuing rise of sub-state/international politics particularly in CA and in the aftermath of the US election. 

Student

Elisabeth Harrington, Ash Quintana, Dominic Trezza, Jei Farmer, Savanna River, Avery Alexander

Music
Submitted: December 20, 2024

During finals week, the Opera Workshop class took Bear Hug, a children's opera, on tour to Morris Elementary,  Winship Middle , Alice Birney Elementary , Redwood Montessori, and Pacific Union Elementary schools.  Professor Elisabeth Harrington led students Ash Quintana (Theatre Arts, '24), Dominic Trezza (Biology, '25), Jei Farmer (Chemistry '28), and Savanna River (Environmental Science, '27) and staff pianist Avery Alexander (Music, '20) in performances that were enthusiastically received by the children.  One Alice Birney 3rd grader said "I liked the Spanish Brown Bear because he's hyper like me!  And he held the spider."

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CAHSS Alumni Updates

Jeanette K Shribbs

International Studies, 2007
Submitted: January 3, 2025

Jeannette is an elementary school teacher in Northern California. 

Nick De Anda

Music, 2023
Submitted: December 21, 2024

Nick graduated this past summer with a master's in classical guitar performance from the University of Alicante in Valencia, Spain. He was one of twelve from around the world and one of two from the United States to be selected to attend this intensive, high-caliber six-month program on the gorgeous Iberian coast. Nick was also the founding member of Mariachi de Humboldt, and can now be found volunteering with Guitars4Vets, teaching guitar to local veterans with PTSD, on top of performing and teaching privately near his hometown in Garden Grove.

Mellisa Hannum

Journalism, 2005
Submitted: December 9, 2024

Mellisa graduated with a B.A. in Journalism in 2005 and Liberal Studies/Elementary Education in 1999. She volunteered at many libraries including the Arcata Branch of the Humboldt County Public Library system. After working in many library roles in Nevada County, she was hired as the Branch Librarian for Coast Community Library in Mendocino County. Mellisa is now the Library Director for Mendocino County's public libraries. She works to support the Library's mission of enriching lives through free and equitable access to materials and programs centered on education, culture, and entertainment.

More Alumni Updates