Breadcrumb
College of Professional Studies
The College of Professional Studies at Cal Poly Humboldt seamlessly integrates core competencies within practical contexts through a variety of immersive experiences. Our graduates emerge as exceptional leaders in their respective professions and communities, embodying a steadfast dedication to social, economic, and environmental justice.
Applied Learning
We provide every student with dynamic opportunities for experiential learning in real-world scenarios, where they engage in practicums, research, internships, clinical, and service-learning experiences. Each is designed to enhance students' career-ready skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for their future.
Social Justice and Sustainability
Through the application of active learning and critical thinking, we prepare students for meaningful community-oriented careers that foster a just, inclusive, and environmentally conscious society.
Personal Guidance
Through innovation and collaboration our faculty challenge and support our students, ensuring their success beyond the classroom. Our students receive academic and career guidance from their faculty advisors, professional advisors, and peer mentors.
Alumni Updates
Erin Guidarelli
Kinesiology, 2014
Erin was proud to be a part of the Sports Medicine staff for the Portland Cascade during their inaugural season in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL). It was an exciting opportunity to support and maintain the health of the team and be part of the beginning of a new chapter in professional women’s softball. She was so happy to be able to contribute to growing the sport as she played softball at Central Catholic High School in the Portland, OR area and went on to play intercollegiate softball at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt); an NCAA Division II institution. When Erin was in college, the only step further for playing softball "professionally" was on the Olympic team so to be able to contribute to the growth of Professional Women's Softball was an absolute dream and such a rewarding experience.
After obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Humboldt, she went on to obtain her Master of Science in Athletic Training at Pacific University in 2019. Erin has worked as an AT at Boeing, Genie Manufacturing, Dave's Killer Bread, Precision Cast Parts, Intel, Church & Dwight, Pierce College, Multnomah Orthopedic Clinic as well as various activities beyond traditional sports such as Rugby, Cheerleading, Dance, Fencing, Jiu Jitsu and MMA. She previously held the position of the Director of Sports Medicine for the Portland Pickles for the past 6 years. During the rest of the year, she works full time as the Head Athletic Trainer for Clark College in Vancouver, WA. She has been at Clark College in this capacity since 2022.
Steven York
Business Administration, 1986
Steven's research, “Escalation Without Intent: A Structural Reframing for Systems Research,” has been published in Systems Research and Behavioral Science. The paper explores how complex systems can move toward instability through the interaction of disturbance, interconnectedness, feedback, and time—even when no individual part of the system is driving that outcome intentionally.
That systems perspective has applications across many fields, including the environmental and natural systems that were such an important part of his education at Humboldt. From ecosystems and forests to organizations and other complex systems, the underlying question is similar: what allows a system to absorb disturbance, and what causes it to begin losing stability?
As a Cal Poly Humboldt alumnus, he's especially proud to share this milestone with the Humboldt community.
Rohit Kundu
Kinesiology, 2023
Rohit Kundu earned his Master of Science in Kinesiology from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt in December 2023. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Health and Kinesiology, specializing in Cognitive and Motor Neuroscience, at the University of Utah. His research focuses on foot and ankle biomechanics, gait energetics, assistive devices and footwear interventions, aging and mobility, and the neuromechanics of human locomotion.
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Psychology
Gregg J. Gold and Gianna Giacomotto, who is currently in the MA program at Long Beach State, along with DGSOM faculty Dr. Jennifer Lucero, Dr. Gerardo Moreno, and Dr. Eraka Bath, with DGSOM staff Ricardo Antillon and Esmeralda Trejo, recently published Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Pre-Medical Pathway Program Containing Strengths-Based Innovations. Perspectives on Medical Education. 2026; 15(1): 697–704. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/pme.2330
Dr. Meenal Rana & Dr. Susan Bennett
Child Development
Springer Nature recently published the edited volume Mentoring Relationships in Academia: Narratives from the Margins, featuring 23 chapters in which scholars share personal experiences and explore how mentoring has shaped their academic journeys and their own mentoring practices.
Of the book’s 32 authors, 11 are affiliated with Cal Poly Humboldt: one undergraduate student, one graduate student, three emeritus faculty members, five current faculty members, and one administrator. Dr. Meenal Rana (Professor, Child Development) and Dr. Susan Bennett (Faculty Emerita, English) are the book’s co-editors.
With support from an OEDI grant and the CTL, a book circle will meet four times during Fall 2026. Each participant will receive a free copy of the book. Look for a flyer with additional details in the coming weeks.
Gregg J. Gold, Gianna Giacomotto
Psychology
Gregg J. Gold and Gianna Giacomotto who is currently in the MA program at Long Beach State, along with DGSOM faculty Dr. Jennifer Lucero, Dr. Gerardo Moreno, and DGSOM staff Ricardo Antillon, and Esmeralda Trejo recently had the paper "Lessons Learned from the David Geffen School of Medicine-UCLA Clinical Clerkship Psychology of Bias Seminar" accepted for publication in the Journal of the National Medical Association.