Alumni Updates

Abbey Ramirez

Environmental Studies, 2022

Since graduation, Abbey moved to Sonoma County on Pomo and Coast Miwok land, where she is the Head Gardener for Traditional Medicinals Tea Company (the company that makes Throat Coat!) She tends the educational garden, which serves as an herbal library, displaying many medicinal herbs the company uses in its teas. She is also the zero-waste coordinator working with the environmental department on getting the tea company recertified as a zero-waste facility. Abbey is still working with CCAT as a member of the Steering Committee, and she is always proud to say where her education came from!

Albert Ochoa-Castillo

Chemistry, 2022

Albert is currently in the second year of his PhD studies at Colorado State University, focusing on the fundamentals of plant cryopreservation. He recently received the prestigious NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, one of the country’s top STEM fellowship programs. Albert crafted a method to visualize sucrose in plant cells and proposed a technique for simultaneous imaging of two molecules in plant tissue. His research explores cryoprotectant-cell interactions using advanced microscopy methods. After graduating, Albert aims to teach chemistry at a primarily undergraduate institution, prioritizing research inclusion for first-generation and Hispanic students to enhance diversity in scientific fields.

Anne Howard

English, 2022

Anne Howard (English, M.A. 2022) has accepted a position as Communications Manager for Tacoma Arts Live. The English department wishes to congratulate Anne on her new role!

Leah Meyers

Botany, 2022

Leah was hired as a Botanist under Stantec to work in environmental consulting in August 2022 and has recently completed her first year there. She moved to Santa Barbara for this job and has had a wonderful experience working with other biologists and getting out in the field. Living in Santa Barbara is a blast, and Leah is grateful to be a part of protecting California's amazing wildlife—but she says her heart is always in the Redwoods!

Ryan Villafuerte

International Studies, 2021

After graduating from Cal Poly Humboldt (HSU), Ryan pursued a Master's degree in International Relations, focusing on Russia and the Soviet Sphere and the rise of Putinism during the War in Ukraine. He graduated with a distinction from the University of Kent Canterbury, and he decided to stay in the United Kingdom and entered the hospitality industry. 

He worked in different high-end 4 to 5-star hotels in London, ranging from corporate hotels in the City of London, and now he currently works in East London, dealing with different high-profile clients in and around Canary Wharf and East London. 

Being Trilingual English (native), French (Fluent C2), Spanish (professional C1), and having an international background helped him gain the skills and knowledge that he has learned from his time in Humboldt, as well as in Kent, the negotiation skills and multilingual skills when dealing with high profiled clients. Especially the high-profile corporations located in London. 

He currently deals with hotel Revenue and Reservations and helps the Sales team bring business to his main hotel, making it one of the most popular hotels in the London Docklands area. 

Danielle Dornan

English, 2021

Danielle is heading into an online master’s program through Syracuse University for Marriage and Family Therapy. She just moved to Santa Cruz, and is working as a barista/hostess and as a cheese monger!

Cody Leviloff

Geography, 2021

Cody is currently working for Mendocino County DOT in the County Surveyor's office, checking maps, determining right-of-way, and operating remote sensing equipment on behalf of the municipal government. 

Adam Cashman

Environmental Science & Management, 2021

Adam Cashman is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the agency’s unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020. Cashman wanted to travel to a different country and work in a different ecosystem and hoped to learn more about agriculture, restoration in subtropical ecosystems, and African culture. He is looking forward to making friends along the way and will serve as a volunteer in Zambia in the environment sector.

Lauren Werner

International Studies, 2021

Laura Werner (International Studies, '21) is enjoying a position as an AmeriCorps VISTA Outreach Specialist, and Community Harm Reduction and Youth Educator with the Sacramento County Opioid Coalition. Werner has also recently accepted a position with the Peace Corps as a Community Educator in Mongolia. Werner is extremely thankful for the multitude of absolutely fantastic opportunities delivered to her after graduation from HSU, despite the many fluctuations that have recently taken place. International Studies has proven to be the most flexible major option, providing freedom in all of her professional pursuits and educational explorations. 

Natalie Burghardt

Environmental Science & Management, 2020

Jesse Bobrow and Natalie Burghardt are engaged! They both attended Humboldt State University from 2017-2020.