Alumni Updates

Alexandra McGee

Anthropology, International Studies, Ethnic Studies, Spanish, 2011

I've transformed from a Humboldt Lumberjack to a Berkeley Bear. I have just started my first semester of graduate school as a Latin American Studies masters student. My last semester at HSU, I took an engineering course with Lonny Grafman which got me really excited about small-scale energy projects, particularly how they relate to community participation, rural development, energy independence and environmental sustainability.

At the same time, I've put my anthropology skills to use, moving into a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery to live with a high lama.

I'd love to hear from you. If you want to know more about my adventures, check out my blog:
throughaliseyes-chapterthree.blogspot.com

E Safiya Bal

Anthropology, Geography minor., 2011

I've been working as a substitute teacher for the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District since December 2011. As of April 2012 I was hired on as field technician for Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Inc. -based in Davis, CA. The project is in Vacaville, CA.

Omar Alejandro Garcia

International Studies, 2011

After working at Solar City, I am currently working in Taiwan as an English Teacher and preparing for an International Business Masters degree. I am still playing baseball and running my audio-blog about identity and cross-cultural interactions. I would like to thank Rosamel Benavides in the World Languages and Cultures Dept as well as the International Studies Dept for providing me a solid foundation to conquer career challenges, domestic and international.

Jennifer Humphreys

Anthropology, 2011

I am currently earning my M.S. in Primate Behavior at Central Washington University, specializing in molecular primatology. Soon I will be heading to the forests Suriname to study gene flow through conservation corridors.

Wesley Korpela

Anthropology, 2011

pursing careering in maritime archaeology

Kyle Ryan

Theatre, minor in Dance, 2011

Kyle Ryan, 2011 Theatre, moved to Chicago with only a suitcase and lived in a one-bedroom apartment with four other HSU grads. Ryan was accepted into Second City's Conservatory Program and then was hired to perform sketch comedy and improv aboard Norwegian Cruise lines for The Second City. Ryan has performed all over the world, and is currently performing for The Annoyance Theatre in Chicago. He currently works at a digital media arts college giving workshops to high school artists all over the midwest.

James Caton

History, 2011

The flexibility of HSU’s B.A. in History afforded James the opportunity to chart a path for the future by exploring topics that interested him. Upon completing his degree, he began studying economic theory. He completed an M.A. in Economics from San Jose State University in 2013 where he studied monetary theory and history. He completed my Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in 2017 where he focused on non-equilibrium, agent-based models of systems of exchange. As of Fall 2017, he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University where he teaches macroeconomics, entrepreneurship, economic computation, and economic development.

Adrianna Simone

English, MA, 2010

I'm currently applying for Ph.D. programs and helping out my community by volunteering. I'm a library volunteer at the Eureka branch. I assist with the English and Spanish story times by reading books and helping the children and parents with the weekly crafts. I also volunteer at Sacred Heart Church as a religious education instructor for 7th and 8th grade students.

Tara Darlene Smith

English, 2010

Taraa's memoir essay collection, Sunflowers in Iraq: True Stories of Surviving & Thriving, was published last month. Further information is available on her website: https://www.taradarlenesmith.com, and she's happy to provide a press release and photos from the book's launch. 

Brandon Chapin

Politics, 2010

Brandon Chapin ('10, Politics) was appointed as Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council by Governor Newsom on July 1, 2022. He is responsible for maintaining the Council’s relationship with the State legislature and working on other special projects related to the implementation of the state's Delta Plan.