Alumni Updates

Kate Catanese

Anthropology, 2010

After graduating, I worked for six months as a research assistant on a project through Tulane University concerning the reproductive strategies of male capuchin monkeys. Although it was an amazing and life-changing experience, I came out of it knowing that I would much rather work with people than primates, and am currently seeking admission to HSU's elementary education program.

Jessica Peters

Anthropology, 2010

I have been accepted to UCLA's Anthropology PhD program, with full funding for four years, and will be studying under the guidance of renowned Anthropology professor Sherry Ortner starting in Fall 2011.

Rory Shane Kalin

History, 2010

Rory Shane Kalin, 2010 History, is happy to announce he and his wife will be returning to Humboldt County where they met. Kalin is starting a position with the Office of the Humboldt County Counsel as a deputy county counsel in April.

Tara Darlene Smith

English, 2010

Taraa's memoir essay collection, Sunflowers in Iraq: True Stories of Surviving & Thriving, was published last month. Further information is available on her website: https://www.taradarlenesmith.com, and she's happy to provide a press release and photos from the book's launch. 

Benjamin

Art, 2010

I am currently a graduate student at Syracuse University working towards my MFA in Art Photography.

Samuel Vogel-Seidenberg

Film, 2010

Samuel Vogel-Seidenberg, 2010 Film, got married in 2014 and had his first child Zachary on April 9th, 2017. Vogel-Seidenberg is the head men's lacrosse coach at Dominican University of California, an NCAA Division 2 school! Vogel-Seidenberg loves coming to Humboldt to visit and support the Humboldt lacrosse team.

Kacie Erin Flynn

Art, Double Emphasis - Art Ed/Studio Art, 2010

During my undergraduate years with HSU I held an internship at Morris Graves Museum of Art. I was soon brought on staff to teach art lessons as part of the Second Saturady Family Arts Day. I graduated Summa Cum Laude and since then have become the Museum Manager at Morris Graves in charge of special programs and events. I was also invited to show in the Young Alumni Exhibition "Fresh Meat" at First Street Gallery last August. In addition to my job with MGMA I now work on campus in the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs as a Grant Coordinator. In my free time I volunteer as a Club Adivsor to Delta Phi Epsilon as well as serve on Staff Council. I paint/sketch in my studio in Arcata and have works scheduled to exhibit in 2012. I <3 the HSU ART DEPARTMENT!!! Thank you for the wonderful education and the amazing professors!

Brandon Chapin

Politics, 2010

Brandon Chapin ('10, Politics) was appointed as Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council by Governor Newsom on July 1, 2022. He is responsible for maintaining the Council’s relationship with the State legislature and working on other special projects related to the implementation of the state's Delta Plan. 

Gabriela Girona

International Studies, 2010

Gabriela Girona, 2010, International Studies, reports that since studying abroad from '09-'10 and graduating life has been hectic and wonderful. Girona was accepted into the Syracuse University School of Law and, now that the state has legalized equal marriage rights, Girona is engaged to her partner of over two years. She will pursue her international passion in her second and third years at Syracuse University and hopes to earn two degrees (a Juris Doctor and a master's in international relations) via the school's dual-degree program. She also hopes to earn a certificate in post-conflict reconstruction through SU's Institute for National Security and Counterterrorism.

Mark Castro

Anthropology, Minor in Geography, 2010

Castro ('10, Anthropology) is a Co-Director of the Cultural Resources Facility at Cal Poly Humboldt and has been with the organization for 5 years. Castro has a holistic work experience through his time with multiple agencies including the BLM working on museum collections and archaeological field surveys, the Eldorado National Forest as a field technician, and the Northwest Information Center (Sonoma State University). 

He received his Master's in Cultural Resources Management at Sonoma State, is a Board Member of the Humboldt County Historical Society, and is the Co-Lead for the Pride (LGBTQ+) Taskforce for Coalition for Diversity in California Archaeology.