President's Report

December
2020

As we head into the holiday season, I want to acknowledge our Humboldt community—our students, faculty, staff, families near and far, and neighbors—for all they've done to help keep each other safe.

In response to the pandemic, our students, our faculty and staff, and our broader community came together as a team, and we pulled off something remarkable. Supporting each other is the ultimate act of community. Just as our faculty and staff persevered to deliver education to thousands of students, our students in turn also provided support to their peers, families, and communities.

I'm inspired by countless efforts large and small. There are the HSU students who have continued to volunteer through the Youth Educational Services program, connecting with local youth through a pen pal program and preparing interactive science packets for students. There are all of those who made adjustments so we could virtually host hundreds of eighth graders in November, helping them to picture themselves in college and work toward that goal one day.

Environmental Science & Management majors Christian Trujillo, Diana Martinez, and Odalis Avalos launched Ciencia Para Todos. It's an innovative organization that promotes "science for all" through bilingual education to inspire elementary school students to consider majoring in science in college.

Our housing and dining teams kept providing services to students living on campus, and they provided support to federal firefighters who needed housing during this year's historic fire season. HSU similarly stepped up to support our sister campus San José State, allowing their football team to prepare for their season while also keeping the community safe. And the determined and committed efforts continued in the Emergency Operations Center, Advanced Planning, FITT (Focused Instructional Transition Team), Athletics, and other planning teams.

Social Work Professor Jennifer Maguire adapted her groundbreaking work into college students' basic needs, and found that students who continue their college education during the pandemic have found more support and protection. And Julia Jones, who is double majoring in Native American Studies and Sociology, was given a CSU Trustees' Award this fall in recognition for her work to help Native youth overcome challenges to attend college.

These are just a few of the remarkable stories from this challenging year. While we know that the road ahead will be difficult, I'm confident that our Humboldt community will continue to step up to support and protect each other. We share a common goal of providing a positive, meaningful educational experience for all.

Rankings and Recognition

Humboldt State University continues to be recognized for its high-quality educational experience and its commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

For instance, HSU currently has the eighth-highest rate of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) students who go on to earn Ph.D.s among all 660 master’s degree institutions nationwide, and is first among CSU campuses. The University is ranked 16th among medium-size schools on the Peace Corps' list of top volunteer-producing colleges and universities in 2020. Washington Monthly, whose rankings are based on a college's "contribution to the public good," named HSU 45th of 614 master's degree-granting colleges across the nation, marking the fifth consecutive year HSU made the list. HSU, which is one of the nation's most affordable universities, was also named 77th of 215 western colleges in Washington Monthly's "Best Bang for the Buck" category.

HSU earned a STARS Gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). STARS (the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. HSU previously earned a Silver Rating in 2013 and a Gold Rating in 2017.

U.S. News & World Report's 2021 Best Colleges list ranked HSU as the 17th top public school in the West. HSU ranked high on U.S. News & World Report's other regional lists, as well: 37th of 127 public and private universities, #22 in Best Colleges for Veterans, #33 in Best Value Schools, and #34 in Top Performers on Social Mobility. HSU's undergraduate engineering program ranked nationally, coming in at #72 of 220 schools (where a doctorate in engineering is not offered). HSU also made Princeton Review's annual list, which named the University as one of 127 best colleges in the West.

HSU May Be Designated State's Third Polytechnic

The California State University has asked Humboldt State University to undertake a self-study toward becoming designated a polytechnic. The request offers the momentous possibility of HSU becoming one of just three polytechnic universities in the state, and the only one in Northern California. It would better position HSU to meet specific workforce needs on the North Coast and statewide, and significantly raise HSU’s profile among prospective students and grant-funding organizations.

Read about the self-study

Strategic Planning Process Moving Ahead

Last spring, members of the campus community began creating Humboldt State's Strategic Plan (2021-2026). Essential to the improvement and growth of HSU, this plan will articulate who we are as an institution now, what we want to work toward together, and who we want to be in five years.

CSU Trustee Award Winner Wants to Help Native Youth

From a young age, Julia Jones learned to depend on school for support. Today, she is working towards a career in law and counseling to help Native youth overcome challenges to attend college. Jones has been named a 2020 CSU Trustees' Award for Outstanding Achievement winner.

Read about Julia's achievement

'Science for All' with Spanish-Language Education in STEM

An innovative new Humboldt State organization, Ciencia Para Todos, promotes "science for all" through bilingual education to inspire elementary school students to consider science majors in higher education.

Read about Ciencia Para Todos

25 Years of Remembering: Heritage and Discourse in Native American Studies

Humboldt State University's Native American Studies program provides an essential Indigenous voice on campus. Due to the efforts of early Indigenous students and faculty at HSU, the program, which turned 25 this year, is stronger than ever as it continues to refine HSU's role as a leader in Native American scholarship.

Learn more about Native American Studies

HSU Alum and Instructor Named California Teacher of the Year

Recognized for her leadership and innovation during a challenging educational climate, HSU School of Education instructor and HSU alumna Nora Wynne was named a 2021 California Teacher of the Year. This is the first time a Humboldt County educator has been recognized with the honor since 1996.

Read about Nora Wynne

Students Stay Connected to Community Through Virtual Volunteerism

HSU students who volunteer through Youth Educational Services are keeping the spirit of community service alive in creative and remote ways during the pandemic.

More about virtual volunteerism

Hundreds of Eighth Grade Students Get Inspired About College

Despite the big opportunity and financial mobility afforded by a college education, many young people don't envision themselves at four-year universities—especially those facing the greatest hurdles to get there. Humboldt State University's "I've Been Admitted to College" event, or IBAC, inspires local eighth-grade students to imagine themselves as college graduates.

Learn about the IBAC Program

Five Alumni Now Serving as College Presidents

Cathy A. Sandeen ('76, Speech Pathology) has been named president at California State University, East Bay. She becomes the fifth HSU alum serving as a college president, joining University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman ('75, Communication Studies), CSU Bakersfield President Lynnette Zelezny ('79, Psychology, '81, M.A. Psychology), North Dakota State University President Dean Bresciani ('84, Sociology), and Westminster College President Bethami Dobkin ('85, Speech Communication).

Read about Cathy Sandeen

Athletics Year in Review

The 2019-20 season saw Lumberjack student-athletes exceeding in the classroom, on the playing fields, and in the community.

Athletics year in review

After $33 Million in Grants, Sponsored Programs Foundation Distributes $650k to Support Research

HSU's Sponsored Programs Foundation oversaw 178 new awards totaling $33 million in the last year. To encourage efforts to pursue additional research and funding, and to support student success, it has recently distributed more than $650,000 to researchers and departments across campus.

HSU Foundation Makes Major Local Investment

The HSU Foundation—the non-profit organization that accepts donations and manages the endowment for the University—has made a new investment in local real estate. It completed the purchase of nearly eight developable acres near campus that is known as Craftsman Mall.

Learn more about the investment

Students Finding Support at College During Pandemic

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, college students are facing even greater challenges in meeting their basic needs. For some, being on campus may help.

"We have found that being on campus may be a stabilizer and protective factor," says Social Work Professor Jennifer Maguire, explaining that students often supplement their needs via food pantries like HSU's Oh SNAP! program. With many students now reshuffled across the state due to COVID-19, finding a stable place to live—with reliable Wi-Fi and technology—is harder than ever.

The risk of hunger & homelessness
during COVID-19

Study: Thinning and Prescribed Fire Treatments Reduce Tree Mortality

A recent study by the USDA Forest Service, Humboldt State, and other researchers suggests that if forests had been closer to their historic densities, tree mortality would likely not have been as severe.

Read about the forest study

Enrollment in Graduate Programs Increases

Despite the uncertainty in higher education during the pandemic, Humboldt State experienced an 8% increase in the number of new graduate students from last year and the highest number since 2017.

Read about the increase in grad students