Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
Nick Entsminger
History, 2009
Nick Entsminger, History, 2009, was accepted into the Doctorate of Medical Science program at the AT Still Universities, Arizona School of Health Sciences and has recently submitted both a journal article and medical textbook on pre-hospital 12-lead electrocardiogram interpretation for potential publishing. Additionally, through familial research, Entsminger was able to induct his family into both the Sons of the American Revolution as well as the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. He continues his love of history and views his time pursuing a history degree at Humboldt State as the years that inspired his pursuits.
Jenine Torres formerly Prus
International StudiesGlobalization, 2009
Jenine Torres, International Studies, 2009, is from Grand Rapids, MI, where she has been living since 2009. After receiving her BA from HSU while studying abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico, she received her Masters of Public Administration from Grand Valley State University in 2014. She is a member of the Leadership Grand Rapids Class of 2016, GR Area Chamber of Commerce, Center for Community Leadership. Currently, she has the privilege of being a Development Officer at Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Michigan's oldest community foundation. She was married in June 2017 and has three stepchildren.
Heidi (Foote) Bowman
EnglishEnglish Education, 2009
In the fall of 2017, Heidi Bowman, English, 2009, helped open the "sister charter school": CSArts-SGV. A free, public comprehensive high school in California's San Gabriel Valley, that embeds seven hours of conservatory arts instruction following the academic school day. Heidi has the distinct honor of being the Department Chair, and because of HSU's English Education program she graduated from in 2009, the department is the "Literature, Language, and Composition" team. The linguistics courses, the not-old-dead-white-guys literature courses, the pedagogy-built-into-my-soul courses, shaped her into an English teacher to be reckoned with!
Shannon Edam
International Studies, 2009
Shannon Edam, 2009 International Studies, is passionate about human rights, social justice, and international affairs. She graduated from American University's School of International Service with a master's degree in ethics, peace and global affairs in 2014, and earned a master's in education from Lesley University in May 2016. She studied abroad in Belgium, Ghana, Cuba, and Mexico, focusing on international studies and human rights, then shifted her focus to 'bringing human rights home' by teaching in inner city schools for free in 2014. Edam currently serves individuals with mental illness and a history of chronic homelessness through her work at Pathways to Housing, DC.
Jason Atherton
Communication, 2009
After graduating HSU in 2009, Jason went to graduate school at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. He lived with his HSU classmate while studying Educational Leadership and Policy. After completing his Masters degree, Jason held positions at universities in Florida, Michigan, and Utah. In 2019, Jason won Outstanding Academic Advisor for the local, state, and national advising conferences. He now lives in Salt Lake City and works with two other HSU Alumni who share his same birthday. Jason appreciates how ahead HSU was in diversity and social justice issues and is amazed how conversations that were happening in Arcata 10 years ago are now in public discourse. Go Jacks!
Monica Topping
Journalism, 2009
Monica Topping, 2009 Journalism, is one of the recipients of the 2016 Victor Thomas Jacoby award, which supports Humboldt-area artists as they seek to expand their skills. Topping will be learning how to do lampwork glass bead making with recycled glass.
Chad Kaufman
World Languages and CulturesSpanish Language and Literature, 2008
After graduating from HSU in 2008 and working in a bilingual school for a bit, Chad then moved down to Cholula, Mexico to pursue a Master's degree. In 2011 he graduated with an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from La Universidad de las Americas Puebla, Mexico. After graduating he moved back to Minnesota with his amazing spouse to be close to family.
Going on 8 years working as a full-time Spanish Interpreter at Children's Minnesota: a fantastic system of pediatric clinics and hospitals.
Nathan Schofield
Journalism, 2008
Nathan Schofield, Journalism 2008, served two years as an Americorps VISTA volunteer at two nonprofit organizations providing education and family services in the Philadelphia area. There he provided marketing and development support, helping these organizations achieve better visibility and funding of their service operations. After leaving Americorps, he went on to work in property and casualty insurance claims, where he has remained to the present. While working in claims, he has acquired the CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) and AIC (Associate in Claims) designations. Currently, he is working as a claims support associate at State Farms' Charlottesville, Va., claims office.
Ariel Marie Gruenthal
Anthropology, 2008
After graduating from the University of Central Lancashire, UK in 2009 with a MSc in Forensic Anthropology, I have taken a job with the Humboldt County Coroner's Office as a Deputy Coroner.
Melody Walker
Music, 2008
Music alumna Melody Walker was nominated for a 2025 Grammy Award for Best American Roots song for "American Dreaming," which she wrote with country musician Sierra Ferrell. The song appears on Farrell's album "Trail of Flowers," released in early 2024. The 2025 Grammy winners will be announced on Feb. 2, 2025.