Alumni Updates

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. 

Miranda Olberg

English, 2019

Since graduating from Humboldt, Miranda has worked closely with all ages—from infants to young adults—in various education roles across the country. Currently, she teaches at a forest school in northern Vermont. She is finishing a Master of Education at Antioch University New England with concentrations in place-based education, nature-based early childhood, and mindfulness integration. She is also working toward a teaching license with an endorsement in birth to third grade. Miranda hopes to continue furthering her education and research in the environmental humanities.

Joel Heng Hartse

English, 2007

Joel Heng Hartse is a Senior Lecturer at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. His latest book is A Very Brief Guide to Reading & Writing in University.

Anne Howard

English, 2022

Anne Howard (English, M.A. 2022) has accepted a position as Communications Manager for Tacoma Arts Live. The English department wishes to congratulate Anne on her new role!

Ann Simas

English, 1971

Humboldt graduate and former Eureka resident Ann Simas (’71, Special Major, B.A., Business/English) announces the release of her latest book, Last Rites, number six in her Andi Comstock Supernatural Mysteries. Other titles in the series are Holy Smoke, Penitence, Angel Babies, Hellfire, and The Wrong Wicca. 

For more information about Ann Simas, go to annsimas.com or email ann@annsimas.com. She can also be found on Facebook at Ann Simas, Author. 

Cyndy Phillips

English, 1998

On September 3, 2022, Humboldt had its first published anthology of painters, Looking for Beauty. The publishing was designed and compiled by Cyndy Phillips ('98, English), a former English faculty. For nearly four years, the project was advised by Cal Poly Press and professor, James Woglom (who wrote the foreword). In August of 2022 at the Redwood Art Association (603 F St, Eureka), the final 80 limited edition books were on sale as a fundraiser to support the Redwood Art Association’s Annual Paint Out. The event was ushered in by gypsy jazz, North Story Wines, and free food.

Salina Cuddy

English, 2012

Salina was recently awarded aPhD in Linguistics from the University of York. Her research focuses on language, gender, and sexuality. She will be starting a position as a Lecturer in Sociolinguistics at Queen Mary University London this fall.

Danielle Dornan

English, 2021

Danielle is heading into an online master’s program through Syracuse University for Marriage and Family Therapy. She just moved to Santa Cruz, and is working as a barista/hostess and as a cheese monger!

Jade Bristol

English, 1993

Jade Bristol, 1993, English, was named Chief Development Officer of Giving Docs, a revolutionary online platform that is democratizing the estate planning process and making it easier for individuals who want to make an impact by leaving a gift to charity in their Will. Jade is a 2001 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and has spent the last decade helping non-profits fund their missions through planned giving.

Karleigh Shepard

English, 2019

Karleigh Shepard is a Master of Public Policy candidate at UCLA's Luskin School of Public Affairs. She has been appointed to the Executive Board of the Association of Master of Public Policy Students as Engagement Chair.