Alumni Updates

Kathleen Clark

Sociology, 91

After graduation, Kathleen very happily worked as a bread baker at the Co-op Bakery for several years... but eventually got a job as a social worker in Child Welfare in the Bay Area. She promoted to a supervisor position (her favorite job) and later became a program manager for the Public Administrator in the Bay Area. Kathleen retired in 2022. She and her wife returned to Humboldt County where she is now on the McKInleyville Municipal Advisory Committee, and volunteering at the Native Plant Society and thoroughly enjoying the beaches and hikes that she loved 30+ years ago. And she is so glad that so many college friends are still here.

Kenneth Liscom

Biological Sciences, 1950

Kenneth is still hanging in here at nearly 102 years old, and is an interested alumni! He was born and raised in Arcata right by the college.   

Robert Christensen

History, 2007

Robert has continued to live in Humboldt County since graduating. In 2024, he was hired by the Humboldt Community Services District, and in 2025, he was promoted to Administrative Services Manager at the District, where he oversees Human Resources and Risk Management and serves as the Board Secretary to an elected Board of Directors.

Jerry von Dohlen

Geography, 1998

Jerry helped design, map, and build the first nationwide wireless internet with Metricom INC. in San Jose, California. He moved back to Humboldt County in 2003 and worked with Center Arts Entertainment, now Cal Poly Humboldt Presents, the Mateel Community Center on Reggae on the River, and, the Black Oak Ranch coordinating parking and traffic at Pignic, Earthdance, The Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival, and currently Ten Mile Creek Revival. Jerry is currently serving as GIS Coordinator for the County of Humboldt, providing data and internships to students with the Geospatial Certificate Program. He is also the coordinator of the North Coast GIS Users Group. He is also presently coordinating the Bike Valet program with Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities (CRTP) at major local events such as Cannifest, North County Fair, and the Friday Night Markets. 

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.

Brittany Arzola

Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies, 2023

After graduating from my undergrad, Brittany moved back to the Central Valley and began working as a Youth Counselor serving teenage youth in combating and healing from anti-social behaviors. She is currently working towards an M.S. in Counseling Psychology where she will obtain her License for Marriage and Family Therapy. In the past three years, Brittany has continued showing up for her local community by being involved in working with local food banks and community food gardens at Food Link for Tulare County. Brittany is continuing to pass along her knowledge learned from wonderful professors and remaining respectful to others. It's been tough being away from the community she built in Humboldt, but she can proudly say she is thriving here too. 

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.

Colby Hay

Wildlife, 2014

Since graduating in 2014, Colby worked seasonally for MRC doing spotted owl research, and was a contracted waterfowl biologist with Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge. In the winter of 2016, he joined the Idaho Department of Fish and Game full time to address depredations. He was promoted to Regional Wildlife Biologist in October 2019 and completed his Masters of Natural Resource from the University of Idaho in May 2026. He studied elk interaction with feedlot fence alterations over winter. 

James Donlon

Theatre, 1970

James has been working in theatre for 56 years as an internationally acclaimed professional actor and director specializing in physical theatre. He recently founded the international Los Angeles Mime Festival, and this summer is playing the lead role of Macbeth at the Island Shakespeare Festival on Whidbey Island, Washington. Last year, he toured his one-person show to Colombia, Argentina, and Peru. Other recent tours have been in Italy, Spain, Cuba, and the Czech Republic.