Heather Malia Garalde

Heather is the Front Desk Administrative Support Assistant at the EOP/SSS office. After growing up in in Honolulu, Hawaii and spending ten years as a realtor, she came to Humboldt earning her associate’s degree from College of the Redwoods and then transferred to Cal Poly Humboldt graduating in 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Marketing.

When she is not working you may find her Dancing Hula, Paddling Canoe listening to Music by Israel Kamakawiwa'ole or watching a Korean Drama. 

A former EOP/SSS student herself, Heather has many memories of her time in the program. In her words, “My advisor was one of the first people I met in person on campus, and it has made a big difference in my success. She helped me with getting acquainted with my academic needs prior to school, like registering for classes & navigating the university websites & so much more. Knowing I had not only an advisor but a friend to help guide me on this Academic journey is comforting.”

Beyond academic advising of EOP she also enjoyed the program activities, “The gatherings were great, especially meeting other students in the community! We celebrated quite a few holidays together like Valentines, Halloween pumpkin carving & the small wins in between onboarding and graduation. This was a wonderful opportunity to meet others in our cohort & bond. At Cal Poly Humboldt’s EOP/SSS there is such an emphasis on connection, support & community. It's like having a family away from home.”

Heather was once in the shoes of a new EOP/SSS student and understands that the university can be intimidating but she is here to help creating a safe space in Hadley House for studying, grabbing a quick hot tea, or speaking with advisors for advice. With her education and experience she has been putting her skills to use helping to streamline processes at the EOP/SSS department to run smoothly & efficiently. 

Heather likes to remind folks that help is avalible in many forms, 

“Remember that you don’t have to do this alone. College can feel overwhelming, especially at first, but lean into the resources and people who are here to support you. Build a network of advisors, peers, and mentors who care about your success. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, even if it feels like you should already know something. Everyone is learning, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time. Stay connected, stay curious, and give yourself grace when you face challenges. This all contributes to your growth.”