Breadcrumb
Alumni Updates
Garrett Edward Spears
Journalism, 2007
Garrett Edward Spears has retired from independent professional wrestling after eight years of traveling throughout California, Oregon, and Mexico. He is now an Associate Producer for the television show Horror Hotel. It promotes classic and independent movies within the genres of horror and science fiction. It is shown on Retro TV, The Action Channel, and The Monster Channel. He has also started dabbling in acting and is thinking about getting back into traveling entertainment.
Dafna Golden
Geography, 1997
After a successful 23-year career as a Geography Professor at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California, Dafna is fulfilling a long-time dream and moving to Israel with her husband and two boys. She credits her education in Geography at Humboldt with preparing her to become a teacher and advises many of her students to consider Cal Poly Humboldt themselves. She completed her master's degree at CSULA with an emphasis on Geographic Information Systems and has created a successful GIS program at Mt. Sac. She hopes to apply her GIS expertise in Israel to help manage the natural resources there.
Jenny Werthman
PoliticsSocial Science, Secondary Education, 2017, 2020
After earning her degree in Political Science and credential in Social Science for Secondary Education, Jenny has taught high school history (mostly juniors and seniors) since 2021. She is entering her third year of teaching. She lives in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and teaches in the inner city of San Bernardino for mostly at-risk youth. She loves helping kids and teaching them about the real world. She uses everything she learned in Humboldt in her classroom and is forever grateful! She is now married with two young kids!
Marie (Laurey) McHaffie
History, 1996
Marie never thought she would be living in Arkansas, but there she is in a truly beautiful state. Marie teaches English, Journalism, Yearbook, and Theatre in a small rural school. She earned her MA in English in 2017 and is entering her 19th year of teaching. She's also studying art, too, and loves it! She carries a piece of Humboldt with her in my heart. Marie appreciates all the trees and waterfalls out there. She hopes she can get back to campus for a visit someday.
Joel Heng Hartse
English, 2007
Joel Heng Hartse is a Senior Lecturer at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. His latest book is A Very Brief Guide to Reading & Writing in University.
Crystal Betances
International Studies, 2019
Crystal is working with Politics4her on a research project in partnership with the Apolitical Foundation, an organization based in Berlin. The project’s focus is on regions with ongoing programs to increase women’s political involvement, seeking to create deep partnerships with those leading the Political Leadership Incubators (PLIs) in the region. The project will also highlight the barriers to women’s political participation. Crystal attributes her interest to this project from her time as an International Studies undergrad, and takes with her the research skills learned during that time.
Javier Rojas
Journalism, 2016
After taking on various reporter roles in Southern California, in April Javier accepted a dream job as a media relations specialist at Cal State Northridge. The transition from daily reporting to a communication position in higher education is something that Javier has been working towards since graduating from Humboldt State. While his love for writing never wavered, he's excited to return to a role in the CSU system where he can highlight the work of students.
Anne Howard
English, 2022
Anne Howard (English, M.A. 2022) has accepted a position as Communications Manager for Tacoma Arts Live. The English department wishes to congratulate Anne on her new role!
Joel D. Eis, MFA
Theatre, 1978
Joel Eis, MA, Theatre, '78, just published his 5th book, "Standin' in a Hard Rain, the Making a Revolutionary Life," with World BEYOND War Press in Charlottesville VA. (Available on Amazon.com). It's the life of a radial theatre activist (with an FBI file thick as a small city phonebook) from early teens through the current time. Says Eis, "The atmosphere in the theatre program at HSU in the '70's was a real engine. Risk-taking among a bunch of outlaws who knew their art. Professors with the wisdom to give good advice then get out of your way." Edgy, unbeatable.
Anna Petersen
History2019, Credential, 2018
Anna Petersen has returned to her native country of Hungary in 2019, along with husband Jared and son Tibby. After working for a bilingual education nonprofit in Budapest, where students learn English in a fully immersive environment with lessons co-taught by native Hungarian and English-speaking instructors, she joined the fintech company Wise in 2022 in an anti-money laundering role.