In summer 2019, Melissa Neufer, Biology, 2001, studied desert and marine landscapes through ecological and social field methods in Baja. Melissa, a biology teacher at Roseland University Prep High School, lives in Santa Rosa, California, and is a graduate student in Miami University’s Global Field Program.

Valerie Tepetlanco, International Studies, 2018, has been accepted to the M.A. in Cultural Studies program at Claremont Graduate University.

Jennifer Elliott, Liberal Studies Elementary Education, 1999, has had a teaching career working in public schools across the United States (California, Indiana, North Carolina) and in Japan’s public school system with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. She also spent time as coordinator of a federal grant program funding Indian Education in Ventura County. Currently Jennifer is working as a first grade teacher at Montalvo Arts Academy in Ventura, California.

In summer 2019, Kristen Kendrick, Zoology, 2007, studied coral reefs, manatees, howler monkeys, jaguars and other wildlife while learning the methods communities are using to sustain them in Belize. Kristen, an animal care coordinator of ambassador programs at Zoo Miami, lives in Miami, Florida, and is a graduate student in Miami University’s Global Field Program. https://earthexpeditions.miamioh.edu/?utm_source=merge&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alumni

Lisa Treon Saulsbery, Liberal Studies Elementary Education, 1994, is a teacher at Weaverville Elementary School.

Glenn Strachan, Sociology, 1983 has been fortunate enough to have traveled to 116 countries while working for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding projects in maternal health and international broadband solutions. Over the past 35-years, Glenn has seen the world and taken photographs everywhere he went, which was inspired by his photography classes at HSU. Now that retirement has arrived, his work has been selected for 12 juried shows thus far in 2019. He is humbled by the selections and is up for a major award in London if he makes the final cut. Glenn says he misses his days at HSU as it was a perfect time to be there doing his graduate studies.

Craig Harrison, Biological Sciences, 1974, spent a year in Africa before attending HSU. Craig recently published his travelogue “Dreams of a Vanishing Africa: A 1970s Transcontinental Trek”, which recounts his travels within the fabric of African societies in 1971-1972. He avoided safe, well-trodden routes and instead, used decrepit trains, cargo trucks, rattletrap buses, jammed bush taxis, dugout canoes, and ferries. He lived out of a backpack and experienced the land and people of Africa up close. Craig’s website (https://www.craigsharrison.net/) has photos, and the book can be ordered there from the publisher Lulu as well as Amazon.

Fernando R Elizondo, Education, 1966, Teaching Credential, 1967, retired after 41 years in education. Throughout his career Fernando served as a teacher, middle school principal, assistant superintendent and the last 15 years as a superintendent of schools. Upon retirement Fernando opened a consulting business and has remained busy volunteering on the board of trustees for Natividad Medical Center and as a docent at Point Lobos State Reserve. Fernando says he would enjoy hosting and introducing the new HSU president to HSU alumni in the central coast.

Joyce Schlachter, Wildlife, 1994, has retired after 26 years with the Federal government, working as a Wildlife Biologist. Joyce is enjoying her freedom and continues to volunteer with Project Wildlife, rehabilitating bats. Joyce says “thanks HSU for the best years of my life!”

Lyla Godfryd, International Studies, 2019, will be serving in the Peace Corps as an Environmental Education Volunteer in Panama beginning in February. Lyla says she feels very blessed to have been provided with such an encouraging and caring group of professors and fellow classmates and the International Studies program at HSU has provided her with the skills and confidence she needs to embark on this journey!