Fleeing Structural Stigma: Psychological Outcomes for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Internally Displaced Persons

Emma was a highly committed student leader at Youth Educational Services (YES) during her undergraduate career (graduating in December 2025).  It has been rewarding to observe and support Emma as she developed and excelled in her YES roles as a volunteer, student leader, and most recently, as a student staff member. 

As the 2025 Team Captain, Alexis helped lead Cal Poly Humboldt’s women’s soccer team to the CCAA tournament title and the first national tournament appearance since 1996, observes Head Women’s Soccer Coach Grant Landy. Alexis played on the all-tournament team at the CCAA conference tournament. 

In 2024, Joe was hired as a Student Assistant for the Rou Dalagurr Food Sovereignty Lab and the Traditional Ecological Knowledges Institute. Since then, Joe has been a driving force behind the Lab's growth and impact. Joe is truly a jack-of-all-trades. If there is a job to be done -- from building ADA compliant stairways to composting to grant writing to IT troubleshooting -- Joe will figure out how to do it. In speaking with Joe’s colleagues while preparing this letter, folx shared that Joe is often the one to do the less glamorous tasks, or the jobs nobody else wants to do.

Olivia is an exemplary leader who has created a model pathway for Cal Poly Humboldt students to have equitable employment opportunities-- from campus to career. Through her leadership, the Cultural Fire Club members are able to learn from Indigenous fire practices as a means of land stewardship and cultural/community practice; she has led the club to be a campus educational, career, and cultural resource.

For the past three years, Ava has been a highly engaged Youth Educational Services (YES) volunteer, contributing 365 volunteer hours (and counting!) to the local community. She has also been a dedicated student leader at YES during her undergraduate career. 

Ava began her involvement at YES as a volunteer for the Art, Recreation, and Theatre (ART) program in August 2023. ART volunteers provide opportunities for local elementary students to express themselves through a variety of artistic and creative media. 

Environmentally, Emily’s contributions ensure that young children engage directly and consistently with local ecosystems. Through her work on the Planetary Care for Young Learners SHIFT grant, she supports the development of a weekly outdoor curriculum that includes neighborhood walks and exploration of local outdoor spaces, regardless of weather conditions. She is collaborating with classroom teachers to explore outdoor environments, support gardening, and bring the outdoors indoors.  

Ciel Schlagenhauf stands out not only for her accomplishments but for the integrity, intellectual curiosity, and professionalism she brings to every aspect of her work at Cal Poly Humboldt. She approaches her education with intentionality, consistently seeking to deepen her understanding and apply her knowledge in meaningful ways that extend beyond the classroom and studio.

Kay’s commitment to the field of developmental psychology is evident – from her major and minor, her job as a Student Assistant at the Children’s Center at Cal Poly Humboldt, her graduate-level coursework, the articles she picks to present in lab, and the topic she has chosen for her thesis: Food Parenting Practices and Adults’ Food Relationships Moderated by Motivation and Acculturation. She can see the connections of the coursework not only in classes and her work, but also in the current world events we are experiencing. She has a strong grasp of theory and research methods.

Jonathan is the kind of student who has woven himself into the fabric of Cal Poly Humboldt, showing a level of dedication that goes far beyond the classroom. Since he began his journey here, he has consistently balanced a demanding double major in Data Science and Economics with a genuine passion for his fields. His commitment isn't just reflected in his GPA, but also in his constant drive, as he spends his own time earning additional professional certifications and researching ways to improve the lives of underserved populations.