Graduate Student Spotlight
The Office of Graduate Studies wants to recognize Cal Poly Humboldt’s outstanding graduate students. To nominate a graduate student for a graduate student spotlight, email hsugrad@humboldt.edu. More nomination details can be found here at https://pmc.humboldt.edu/portal/outstanding-student-awards-nominations
Patricia O. McConkey Outstanding Graduate Student
The McConkey Awards are given in Memory of Patricia McConkey and her many years of service to Graduate Studies, and to graduate students, at Cal Poly Humboldt.
The McConkey Award recipients are selected by the faculty of their graduate programs, in recognition of excellence in their fields. McConkey Award recipients graduate with distinction on their transcript and are recognized in their commencement program.
Students who have completed a master's degree between May 2024 and May 2025 are eligable. Nominations are open now and are due by March 7, 2025. Please submit nominations to the Outstanding Student Awards Website. The application process can be viewed here.
Patricia O. McConkey Student Award Winners!
Camille Burns
M.A. Psychology
Thesis: The Menstrual Cycle, Dual-Hormone Hypothesis and Competition: Implications for Athletic Performance
Rebeca Becdach
M.S. Natural Resources
Thesis: Jaguar Population Status and Conservation needs in Panama Revealed Using Spatial Density and Occupancy Models
Eileen Bell
M.S.W. (Campus Program)
Comprehensive Exam
Amparo Hargreaves
M.S.W (Distributed Learning)
Comprehensive Exam
Patricia O. McConkey Award Winners!
Elizabeth Hershey
M.A Applied English
Thesis: "Kindness eases change/ love quiets fear": Mapping change and movement in Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower
Catriona (Catie) Barr
M.S. Natural Resources
Thesis: From the Ashes: Lessons in Community Recovery from 2020 Wildfires in Northern California and Southern Oregon
Caleb Chen
M.A. Public Sociology
Thesis: Post Prohibition Changes in Cannabis Genetics
Fall 2025 Graduate Student Spotlights
Each semester, the Graduate Studies Office highlights nominated students and their current research. Here are our Fall 2025 Graduate Student Spotlights!
Kai Walton
Biological Sciences
Kai’s passion for marine biology began in high school while volunteering at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Originally interested in aquarium husbandry, his focus shifted to research in college, where a course in fish biology sparked a deep interest in ichthyology. Now, his thesis involves a year-long survey of larval fish in Humboldt Bay, comparing current populations with historical data from 1969–70 and 2015–16. He appreciates the support and diversity of the Biological Sciences department, noting opportunities in lab, field, and teaching work. His advice to future grad students? “Know why you're going to grad school. Take time off if you need to figure it out—don't just go because you’re unsure of what’s next.”
Fun Fact: Kai is an N3-level Japanese speaker, has lived at sea for four weeks on research cruises, and recently served as vice president of an academic society.
Kaleigh Tuso
Applied English
Kaleigh Tuso has called Humboldt home since 2017, earning her Teaching Credential from Cal Poly Humboldt before teaching in local classrooms. Now, she balances graduate studies with running her own professional organizing business, Declutter Organize Breathe, and serving as the Admin Coordinator for the Redwood Writing Project. Returning to Cal Poly Humboldt for her M.A. was an easy choice—it was the only school she considered.When asked about what advice she’d give to new graduate students, she said, “Everyone's experience in graduate school is so unique, and I think each person's experience changes over time. I'd say take things day by day (or minute by minute!), ask lots of questions, be ready to juggle a million things at once, build community with your cohort, and most of all, be nice to yourself. You can do it!”“
Carrie Tully (Alumni)
Environment and Community
Carrie Tully (M.A. Environment & Community, ’21) has called Humboldt home for years, drawn to the area’s deep sense of place and community. She chose Cal Poly Humboldt (then HSU) specifically for the Environment & Community program, which aligned perfectly with her passion for social and environmental justice.Jasmine is a former foster youth and one of 14 biological siblings. She is a first generation high school graduate, college graduate, teacher, and masters level graduate in her family and hopes to achieve even more. “I am humbled for the opportunity to pursue Higher Education and to break generational cycles for my lineage.”