Alumni Updates

Paul Andre De Georges

Fisheries Biology, 1972

Paul holds an M.S. degree in Natural Resource Management from Humboldt State University, earned in 1972. His thesis was titled “Feasibility of Artificial Reefs in Intertidal Waters.” In 2006, he completed a Doctor of Technology degree in the Department of Nature Conservation at Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, with a dissertation titled “A Critical Review of the Western Approaches to Nature Conservation and Development in Africa.”

On ResearchGate, Paul has a profile where one can download a 7-volume book titled "A Critical Evaluation of Conservation in Sub-Saharan Africa," published by Edwin Mellen Press, which is essentially his doctoral thesis. Additionally, he has contributed to several peer-reviewed papers and PowerPoint presentations. He also co-authored a book titled "The Development of Taliban Factions in Afghanistan and Pakistan, A Geographical Account," published in February 2010 by Amin, Osinski, and DeGeorges, also from Edwin Mellen Press.

Jon Pede

Environment & Community (Social Sciences), 1990

Dr. Jon Pede retired over a year ago as a middle school Principal. He is currently working as a University Supervisor for Pacific University as a teacher license candidate supervisor supporting special education teachers. He just completed his first book on supporting first year School Principals. He hopes to publish in the coming year. 

Ethan Derner

Film, 1993

Ethan is embarking on his fourth career, following his first three as a motion picture editor, college faculty instructor, and currently a self-employed electrician and carpenter. After an initial open studio experience over 10 years ago, he fully immersed himself in the world of glass in December of 2025. Specifically, he is focused on studio glass art, having received instruction from the University of Oregon and Firehouse Glass. Ethan plans to return to Tacoma, Washington, in May of 2026 for continued private instruction at Area 253, in addition to revisiting the hot shop at the Museum of Glass. His present focus is on creating forms to enshrine the ashes of loved ones. Looking ahead, he has designs for free-form slumped sculptures and large-scale kiln-formed pieces.

Kimberly Nguyen

Philosophy, 2020

When Kimberly was pursuing her BA in Philosophy at Humboldt, her intentions were to continue on to law school to become an attorney. Instead, she made the decision to attend nursing school. Her training in critical thinking made nursing school much easier than she could have imagined. Kimberly now practices as a registered nurse and loves it! She has a feeling that her cravings for knowledge won’t stop here, though. She owes so much to the Philosophy Department for helping her build a solid foundation in her thinking and, consequently, opening her mind to what she can achieve. Kimberly can’t wait to see what the future has in store!

Jonah Simmons

Art, 2021

Jonah Simmons earned a BA in Studio Art with a minor in Art History. He is currently an M.F.A. candidate in Ceramics at Fort Hays State University and will be presenting his thesis exhibition, Vessel of Survival, at the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art from July 14–17, 2026, with a reception on July 17 from 6–8 PM. This body of work explores the human condition through the lens of chronic illness, specifically Jonah's experience with Type 1 diabetes, using ceramic sculpture and experimental glaze processes as a metaphor for internal rupture, adaptation, and survival. See more at www.jonahsimmons.com

Chloe Schmidt

, 2022

Chloe works as a ballet teacher at Trillium Dance Studios as well as a Pilates teacher at many local studios around Humboldt County. She is pursuing her Master's in Kinesiology at Cal Poly Humboldt, with the goal of continuing on to physical therapy school in the future. 

Jonathan Souza

Music, 2001

Jonathan Souza, Cal Poly Humboldt Class of 2001 (Humboldt State University), earned his B.A. in Music Education and has built a distinguished career as a music educator, arts leader, conductor, and advocate for equitable access to arts education. He currently serves the Gilroy Unified School District in dual leadership roles as Teacher on Special Assignment for Arts and Music in Schools Initiative Support while also continuing his longstanding work running music education and choral programs at Gilroy High School.

In Gilroy Unified, Souza has played a central role in advancing arts education at both the school site and district levels. He facilitated the development of the district’s TK-12 Strategic Arts Plan, guiding a collaborative process that engaged educators, administrators, families, and community stakeholders in shaping a shared vision for arts education. He also helped lead the plan through adoption, marking an important step in strengthening and sustaining high-quality arts learning opportunities for all students across the district.

Souza also helped spearhead Gilroy High School’s successful application for the 2026 California Department of Education Exemplary Arts Education Program recognition. His leadership in that process included coordinating data collection, organizing evidence across disciplines, shaping the program narrative, and working closely with colleagues to highlight the rigor, impact, and breadth of arts education at the school. His work reflects a deep commitment to advocacy, collaboration, and the transformative power of the arts in public education.

Alongside his educational leadership, Souza recently reached a major professional milestone with his Carnegie Hall debut as a guest conductor with MidAmerica Productions, leading a festival chorus and the New England Symphonic Ensemble. The appearance reflected both his artistic excellence and his enduring commitment to building meaningful musical experiences that connect performers, audiences, and communities across generations.

Throughout his career, Souza has received numerous school site and district honors in recognition of his teaching and leadership. His broader professional awards include the 2008 North Coast Section California Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year Award, the 2010 Wells Fargo Outstanding Educator Award from the Humboldt County Office of Education, and the 2022 Arts Leadership Award from the Santa Clara County Office of Education.

Whether conducting, mentoring teachers, leading strategic planning, or advocating for expanded access to the arts, Jonathan Souza’s work is grounded in the belief that music and arts education are essential to student growth, belonging, and success. His career reflects the values of artistry, leadership, and service, and the foundation he received at Cal Poly Humboldt continues to inform and inspire his work.

Lance Torgerson

Geography, 2004

Lance currently works for Off Duty Officers as a security guard and with California State Parks as a Park Aide. His location is Merced, California. He's had several jobs after his 2004 graduation with a BA in Geography in the Eureka/Arcata area and, more recently, in the Central Valley in Merced, CA.

Off Duty Officers

State Parks

Kory Lamberts

Environmental Studies, 2021

Kory came to Humboldt as a transfer student after turning away from a possible career as a football player. Like many students, he had multiple interests, and used his time in college to find a path to combine them. Since graduating, Kory worked with a nonprofit, Negus in Nature, that focused on building bridges between Black communities and natural spaces. While in college and working with Negus in Nature, he became an avid scuba diver, joining the National Association of Black SCUBA Divers, and received multiple opportunities to participate in dives focused on connecting Black people to their histories and connections with the ocean. In 2024, Kory founded the Aquatic Futures Foundation, which he designed to create equitable access to ocean science education and careers, empowering the next generation of marine scientists to build a sustainable future for our oceans and world. Kory also serves as the Chair of the Next Gen Committee for the National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS) and a member of Aqua Corps, where he helps teach diving & water safety to communities that have been historically excluded from the conversation. Kory also spearheaded the USC Wrigley’s Scientific Dive Discovery program, where he started his work of training scientific divers collegially over two years. He is expanding aquatic education and safety through community-driven collaborations with organizations that have the same mission, like Diving With a Purpose (DWP), Diverseafy, and the Empowher Institute. A profile about him was written in Humboldt Now: https://now.humboldt.edu/news/finding-belonging-water 

Sydney Verga

Environmental Studies, 2021

Sydney Verga graduated from Cal Poly Humboldt in 2021 and moved to San Diego, California, in 2023 to start law school. Now, they are almost done with their final semester at University of San Diego School of Law. They are actively involved in the campus community and extracurricular activities, including but not limited to competing as part of the Appellate Moot Court team and being Co-Chair and Technology Coordinator for the student-run USD Law Name and Gender Marker Change Clinic. Since starting law school, Sydney has worked as an intern for Legal Aid Society of San Diego's Pro Bono team and a law clerk for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control Office of Legal Counsel. Sydney is currently a law clerk for Singleton Schreiber, a client-centered law firm specializing in mass torts/multi-district litigation, on the Environmental Litigation and Policy Team. They will graduate from USD in May 2026 and sit for the California Bar Exam in July 2026.