Breadcrumb
Achievements
Find out what our students, faculty, and staff are being recognized for.
Maxwell Schnurer, Mark Taylor, Steven Ladwig, Tony Wallin-Sato, Arthur Monarque, Javier De La Torre
Communication
27 Cal Poly Humboldt Communication majors who are currently incarcerated at Pelican Bay State Prison presented at the National Conference on Higher Education on Friday April 10. Students in the program shared how resilience, student leadership, and collective voice shape a BA program inside California’s highest-security prison. Through live video conference to the largest prison education conference in the United States students discussed with conference attendees their leadership strategies, recruiting, curriculum input, and the creation of clubs and academic work centered on their vision. The room in Cleveland was packed including Cal Poly Humboldt staff and students who are alumni of the program. The recording of the presentation is available in the link above.
Maxwell Schnurer, Chelsey Castiglione, Lauren Nicolosi, Dean Washington, Shiloh Litke, Keith Flamer, Mark Taylor
Communication
On April 14th the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee hosted the third annual Anti-Violence Summit at College of the Redwoods. In partnership with the President's office at College of the Redwoods, the Social Work department CR and the Department of Communication at Cal Poly Humboldt, students from both schools collaborated to prevent and respond to sexualized violence. Communication Department Sexual Assault Intern Lauren Nicolosi, CRGS major Dean Washington and Communication major Shiloh Litke facilitated breakout sessions. Project Rebound director and College of the Redwood instructor Mark Taylor hosted the session with guests of Chelsey Castiglione (Prevention Coordinator) and Dr. Maxwell Schnurer chair of the Communication department and the Sexual Assault Prevention Committee.
Dr. Armeda C. Reitzel
Communication
Dr. Armeda C. Reitzel, Professor Emeritus, Communication, has been selected to join the Peace Corps as a Virtual Service Pilot Participant. Beginning in May 2026, Dr. Reitzel will work with staff in Ukraine to co-teach a "Summer English and Culture Club for Ukrainian Teens." This assignment builds on Dr. Reitzel's expertise in teaching English as a second language and intercultural communication.
James Floss, Annie Bolick-Floss
Communication
James Floss, Lecturer Emeritus of the Communication Department, recently gave a workshop, “More Than Words” in Tlacochahuaya, Mexico to future teachers focusing on vocality and physicality to enliven read-alouds. The conference, hosted by Escuela Normal Bilingüe e Intercultural de Oaxaca was for indigenous teachers from throughout Oaxaca promoting instruction in their native languages. He was assisted by his wife, Annie Bolick-Floss, former director of Service Learning and Academic Internships.
James Floss, Annie Bolick-Floss
Communication
James Floss, Lecturer Emeritus of the Communication Department, recently gave a workshop, “More Than Words,” in Tlacochahuaya, Mexico to future teachers focusing on vocality and physicality to enliven read-alouds. The conference, hosted by Escuela Normal Bilingüe e Intercultural de Oaxaca was for indigenous teachers from throughout Oaxaca promoting instruction in their native languages. He was assisted by his wife, Annie Bolick-Floss, former director of Service Learning and Academic Internships.
Dr. Aaron Donaldson, Charlie Burrowes, Genevieve Caruso, Wes Christensen, Ethan German, Aly Greaver, Oz Kimbell, Evan Moreno, Mia Rivera, Sylvia Seay, Sadie Shields
Communication
Cal Poly Humboldt’s Debate Club marked a major milestone with its first full squad trip since before the pandemic, competing at Las Positas College against teams from 33 institutions. Five debate pairs participated, most at their first collegiate tournament. Sylvia Seay and Oz Kimbell advanced to quarterfinals, the program’s first elimination round appearance in six years, earning top‑eight finishes and speaker awards. Arcata High student Gamma Caruso also excelled, placing 2nd in Novice Debate. The successful weekend was supported by staff, student organizers, and Debate Coach Dr. Aaron Donaldson, signaling renewed momentum for Humboldt’s speech and debate program.
Go Jacks!
Joshua J Frye
Communication
Dr. Frye has published the Citizenship+ Communication Action Guide with the upcoming nationally convened Civic Learning Week, March 19-23, 2026. The Citizenship+ Communication Action Guide is an open source educational resource developed by Dr. Joshua Frye and Dr. Steve Goldzwig (Marquette University) to accompany their 2024 book, Rhetoric and Democracy in a Post-Truth Era. The OER includes several applied learning activities to advance ethical and effective citizenship+ communication. It also includes a series of topically organized quotations to help inspire democratic attitudes and practices.
Dr. Armeda Reitzel (Faculty), Arlonna Hadley (Student)
Communication
Dr. Armeda Reitzel, Professor Emeritus, and her student, Arlonna Hadley, delivered a presentation titled "Students ACE IT! Students as Amazing, Creative, Enlightening Innovators and Teachers!" at the Cal OER 2025 that was held August 6-8, 2025. Cal OER focuses on OER efforts and impact, broadly defined, across the state of California and especially across the state’s three public higher education systems, the California Community Colleges, California State University, and University of California.
Joshua J. Frye
Communication
Dr. Frye has been contracted to provide evaluations for high-level foreign nationals seeking special work visas in the United States. These petitioners are seeking a National Interest Waiver for unique endeavors that require extraordinary ability and specialized skill sets not currently available within the US workforce. By vetting these individuals and writing technical expert letters of opinion to be included in their visa application to the US Citizens and Immigration Services (USCIS), Dr. Frye is contributing to building a highly specialized, diverse, and inclusive cadre of innovative professionals working within the US to advance the national interest.
Dr. Armeda Reitzel
Communication
Dr. Armeda Reitzel, Professor Emeritus, delivered an invited presentation titled "The Triple A’s of Ancillaries: Advancing Academic Achievement" at the 2025 LIbreFest held in July. Her talk focused on the benefits of open pedagogy.