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.

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. 

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.

Alessandro Bruno

Geography, 2012

Life since Alessandro's days studying Geography and Chinese Studies at Humboldt has been a bit of an adventure! He's swapped the redwoods for the UK, where he currently works as an Executive Assistant and Project Manager in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA). It turns out that the analytical mindset and curiosity he developed during my geographical research came in incredibly handy when navigating complex university operations and digital projects.

When Alessandro is not keeping things moving on campus, he tends to stay pretty active. He's developed a massive appreciation for food science—whether that’s mastering authentic sourdough, experimenting with fermentation, or prepping high-protein meals to fuel a pretty disciplined fitness routine. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, he's also an automotive enthusiast with a love for amateur motorsport, so you can occasionally find him working on cars or researching track days.

Living and working in the UK has been a fantastic chapter, and he'd love to connect with any fellow Humboldt alumni who have made the leap across the pond, or anyone working in higher education!

Michael Stockstill

Journalism, 1971

Michael published the second book on the history of the planning and development of the Irvine Ranch in Orange County, California. Title “Irvine Ranch Fulfilling the Vision 1977-2025” 

Nick De Anda

Music, 2023

Nick recently made his on-screen debut as a featured extra on the fifth season of Abbott Elementary on ABC and Hacks on HBO. He shares scenes as a background musician with lead actresses Sheryl Lee Ralph and Jean Smart. You can spot him playing guitar in the season finale of Abbott, "Miami", and episodes 1 and 9 of the final season of Hacks.

With the assistance of his teaching experience at Humboldt and abroad, Nick has been tasked with 12 students at Surf City Music School in Westminster, California. He continues to volunteer teaching veterans at his own branch in Orange County with Guitars 4 Vets and has now graduated 20 students from his ten-week course, who were awarded brand-new guitars. 

Outside teaching, you can find him playing in pit orchestras for musicals, church bands, mariachis, jazz big bands, and performing background music at country clubs, wineries, wedding venues, and private events. Earlier this year, he became a brand ambassador for Alhambra Guitars, a Spanish manufacturer with a rich heritage. Nick can be seen demonstrating their different models on Sweetwater.com.

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