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CAHSS Newsletter - February 2025

Congratulations Alison Holmes!

Politics Professor Alison Holmes was sworn in to the Yurok Bar by Chief Judge Abby Abinanti in January.

Having completed a Graduate Certificate in Native American Studies from Montana State in May, 2024, Holmes took the Yurok Bar Exam on the recommendation of Humboldt Politics alumna/former Yurok employee, Rosie Deck and gratefully wore the graduation beads given to her by colleagues in the Karuk Education Department for the ceremony in January. Holmes is now Bar #97. 

A woman with short grey hair receiving a bar exam certification from a woman with long grey hair

Welcome New CAHSS Faculty & Staff

Kristen Rasmussen Vasquez – ANTH  
Michael Masinter – ENST 
Tim Mccune – PHIL 
Rex Atienza - DANC 
Brinn Coleman - DANC 
Haylee Wolff - DANC 
Richard Rios - MUS 
Matthew Drange - JMC
Thaddeus Green – JMC  
Geoffrey Ostrove - COMM 
Anna Sandoval - CRGS 
Carlie Domingues - NAS 
Adolfo Soberanis - NAS

Melanie Schauwecker - ASC for Sociology

Upcoming CAHSS Events

Featured Events

Lunar New Year Events

Presented by CRGS

Wednesday, February 5
Power of Pleasure: Return of the Anaconda
6-8pm (CRGS 430 tutorial) 830-11pm (public experience)
Richard's Goat Tavern (401 I St. Arcata)
Ages 21 and over only

Thursday, February 6
A Lion Dance & Traditional Chinese Dance Workshop
12-1pm, NHE 102/Goodwin Forum

Thursday, February 6
A Lion Dance & Conversation with artists
3-420pm, NHE 102/Goodwin Forum 

Tuesday, February 18
Many Moons Screening with Director Chisato Hughes
3-420pm, FH 1186

Lunar new year celebration graphic

Decolonizing Sustainability Speaker Series 

Native American Studies' Decolonizing Sustainability Speaker Series is intended to highlight and unpack intersections of settler colonialism, white supremacy, and systems of power/privilege/oppression within the discourse and rhetoric of contemporary sustainability, environmental, and climate change movements.

Events take place in the Native American Forum (BSS 162) and are open to all!

A flyer for a speaker series with three professors

Faculty Book Circle

Led by Dr. Kaitlin Reed, TEK Faculty Fellow, with support from Native American Studies and the Provost's Office. 

Weekly meetings on Wednesdays over zoom, 11am - 12:30pm. Feb 19 - March 26

A book cover for The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

International Education Week

February 10 - 14

This week-long, internationally recognized, and completely free event will include over 30 presentations and events, including a keynote speaker, hands-on workshops, and global performances that connect our community to the broader world.

Alumni Event: Film Department Gathering in L.A.

Sat Feb. 22
4 - 6pm

The Den
8226 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 

Film professor and programmer for Slamdance, Sarah Lasley, and Film faculty Nicola Waugh and Michelle Cartier will provide updates about Film at Cal Poly Humboldt. Jeff Crane, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, will share news about the college and university. Current students in the Film department will also be in attendance.

Please forward on to any L.A. based alumni in your department!

A film set outdoors with a slate in the foreground

Music Alumna Takes Home a Grammy!

Melody Walker (Music, 2008) won their first Grammy for Best American Roots Song for"American Dreaming," with country artist Sierra Ferrell. 

This was their first Grammy nomination. In an interview with The Recording Academy, Walker explained how they originally brought “American Dreaming” to Ferrell as a working class anthem, but during the co-writing process, Ferrell brought a more personal perspective that brought a good balance to the song. 

She’s written two other songs on Ferrel’s album “Trail of Flowers” and has even written with Molly Tuttle on her Grammy-winning albums “Crooked Tree” and “City of Gold.

A young white woman with long purple hair and glasses holding a guitar

Have you listened to our podcast?

Hosted by Dean Jeff Crane, and produced by Abigail Smithson, this podcast explores the liberal arts as an educational system emphasizing inquiry, personal development and innovation that is foundational to a healthy, inclusive and progressive society. Crane hosts a wide range of guests whose experiences as students of the liberal arts have shaped their lives.

Podcast graphic

Breaking Down the Gear Wall

The Dean's Office is still accepting winter clothing donations to Gist Hall 122, and is open to any students who want to pick up some warm clothes and shoes for the winter season. 

Please spread the word to your students!

Poster for a clothing donation drive

Achievements

Latest Achivements

Submit an Achievement

Student

Ricardo Paredes

Dance, Music & Theatre

Congratulations to Music Education major and saxophonist, Ricardo Paredes, who has been selected to receive a 2024-25 Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award.  This national award provides $3,000 to recipients in recognition of their outstanding achievements in musical and academic performance, leadership and service, and contributions to building inclusive communities.

Student

Amanda Coorey

Dance, Music & Theatre

Amanda Coorey, a theatre major from Temecula, CA, in her Junior year at CPH, took part in a public presentation of her Scenic Design work at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, held in Mesa Arizona on February 11 -15 2025. Amanda's design for the play Here We Are, by Dorothy Parker, was presented before a panel of 6 design faculty from various Colleges and Universities, who praised her work and chose it as a finalist from nearly 150 Design and Technology student submissions. This was Amanda's first Scenic Design - and the first time she publicly presented her work! 

Congratulations, Amanda!



 

Faculty

Dr. Loren Cannon

Philosophy

Dr. Loren Cannon (Philosophy), was interviewed and quoted in an NPR article entitled Trump's anti-trans effort is an agenda cornerstone with echoes in history by Odette Yousef. The online version of the article was published on February 6th. Additionally, he was interviewed and quoted by French Journalist, Camille Ribot, for her article L’obsession anti-trans de Donald Trump which was published February 19th in the French publication, “La Croix.”   Both journalists contacted Dr. Cannon due to his expertise in analyzing the recent politicization of trans persons and the role the current federal administration is taking in targeting this population. Dr. Cannon’s book, “The Politicization of Trans Identity: An Analysis of Backlash, Scapegoating, and Dog-whistling From Obergefell to Bostock,” published in 2022, serves as the basis of his analysis.

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