Alumni Updates

Heather Sundblad-Rhoade

Journalism, 2003

Heather Sundblad-Rhoade moved away from journalism and public relations and entered the world of business ownership. She purchased a retail business in August 2022 and has now been the owner and operator of a gift shop - Willow & Ash - in Forest Grove, Oregon, for two years. 2024 has been a year of milestones: She celebrated her 20-year anniversary with her husband and watched her daughter graduate from high school and move on to college to work on completing a degree in welding technology.

Kristina Elizabeth Ryan

Politics, 2003

After meeting at Humboldt State some 20 years ago, James Catlin (2002- Political Science and Economics) and Kristina have been married since 2010 and have two children. James is the Chief Macroeconomist at Value Investors Edge where he specializes in research and analysis of maritime trade. Kristina works for the State of California at the Department of Social Services. They currently reside in Southern California. They both share fond memories of their days as HSU students. James misses surfing alongside redwood lined cliffs and Smug's Pizza. Kristina misses all the amazing natural scenery. They can’t wait to have their children visit HSU when they are older.

Benjamin Ebert

International StudiesMasters in Public Policy, Cal Poly SLO, 2003

Benjamin Ebert, 2003 International Studies, is now married, a father of two and runs a local investment and tax firm, Ebert Capital Management, in Arcata. Ebert is also on the HSU Centennial Planning Committee, is working on a patent for a quantitative investment strategy, and periodically hires HSU interns.

Hero Burke Smith

ArtAccounting, 2003

Hero Burke Smith, 2003 Art, is working in the media and textile industry, developing mad lib scripts for newish products.

Michael Hibma

HistoryM.A. History, CSU Sacramento (2007); Certificate in Land Use & Environmental Planning - University of California, Davis, Extension (2012), 2003

After graduating from the HSU, I enrolled in the History M.A. program at Sacramento State. Soon after enrolling I began a 2.5-year internship in the Community and Cultural Studies Office at the California Department of Transportations Headquarters in downtown Sacramento. While there I worked with architectural historians in research, writing, and general assistance in completing cultural resource reports for transportation projects all over the state. I also provided technical editing assistance for documenting agricultural properties in California. In 2007 I submitted my thesis titled: "Historic District Nomination of the Newton Booth Neighborhood, City of Sacramento, Sacramento County, California" and graduated with an M.A. in History.

Just prior to graduation I took a position with LSA Associates, Inc., a private environmental consulting firm as an architectural historian/cultural resources manager. I am very lucky to be doing what I am for a career. My undergraduate experience in the HSU History program definitely set me on a course of success and personal achievement. I will always be grateful for my time at HSU and the helpful, yet challenging professors I met, the stimulating learning environment, and the fun I shared with many of my peers.

Ali

Sociology, 2002 B.A. and 2009 M.A.

Ali R. Chaudhary, 2002 Sociology and 2009 Sociology, earned his Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Davis, in 2015. He is currently a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford and enjoying life in the U.K. with his wife Rebecca Kellawan and their newborn son, Miles Ali Chaudhary. In January 2017, they will move to New York City, when Ali will take up his position as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Shelli Maher-Sarchett

Sociology, 2002

I am in my 7th year as the Assistant Softball Coach here at Humboldt State University.

Robert David Short

Geography, 2002

Robert David Short, 2002 Geography spent time traveling the U.S. and had the opportunity to take a boat from Humboldt Bay to Wrangell, Alaska after graduation. It was a 38-day trip and the last 500 miles were traveled solo. I worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Forest Service before finally landing a job with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Ocean Service as a physical scientist helping to update and acquire charts used for ocean navigation.After graduation, I spent time traveling the US and had the opportunity to take a boat from Humboldt Bay to Wrangell, Alaska. It was a 38 day trip and the last 500 miles were traveled solo. I worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and the US Forest Service before finally landing a job with NOAA's National Ocean Service as a physical scientist helping to update and acquire charts used for ocean navigation.

Shannon Dybvig

JournalismHistory, 2002

hannon Dybvig, Journalism, History, 2002, co-produced the documentary Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy, which played at the Miniplex in Arcata January 10, 2020. In 2008 Dybvig earned an MFA in Photography at Brooks Institute of Photography. Dybvig has been working in the documentary film industry in Southern California since 2005

Dawn Arledge

SociologyMaster's degree, 2002

Was chosen to receive an "Award of Excellence" from the California Office of Traffic Safety & the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for work to reduce the number of young people injured or killed in car crashes.