EMSS Team Members:

Good morning, everyone, and happy Friday - we’ll ignore the fact it is a supposedly “unlucky” sort of Friday! I hope you all are set for a wonderful weekend, where you can focus on love and kindness of some sort, whether you choose to celebrate Valentine’s Day or not. I’ll be celebrating not with a four-course meal or special date, but from beside a basketball court, as my kiddo’s 6th grade team plays in (another!) basketball tournament this weekend. At least I’ll be around those I love the most… and a whole bunch of other sweaty 6th graders!

As time allows, I invite you to learn more about happenings across our division and the campus:

Kick Axe Awardees

I want to recognize our two most recent Kick Axe awardees, who received their accolades at the EMSS Spring Welcome a few weeks ago - Mira Friedman and Tania Marin-Zeldin.

Mira, our lead for Health Education and Clinic Support Services and the latest Kick Axe Achievement Awardee, was selected by Santi Menjivar, who recognized her as a strong voice for student advocacy across campus. The Oh Snap! student food program has been a great success, and Mira and her team face challenges with grace,  always pivoting to ensure our students receive the assistance they need.

Tania, our latest Kick Axe Attitude Awardee, works in our Educational Opportunity Program, where she tirelessly supports students, connecting them with college, encouraging them to believe in themselves, and supporting their ultimate success. She was selected by Mari Holguin, who recognized her incredible dedication to students, positive attitude, and willingness to go above and beyond for others.

University Budget Forum

The University Resources & Planning Committee (URPC) is hosting a Budget Forum on Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 12-1:30 p.m. in Goodwin Forum (NHE 102). The forum aims to foster transparency and expand the campus community's understanding of our financial landscape. Lunch will be provided and the forum will be recorded and posted to the URPC webpage. Please submit your questions by Monday, February 23, 2026 at noon using this link: URPC Budget Forum Form.

What Would You Do Campaign and Workshop

As staff and faculty, we encounter challenging moments involving sexual assault and intimate partner violence. The Sexual Assault Prevention Committee (SAPC) gathered the most common concerns and created an interactive training that provides us with practical skills needed to navigate these situations. Help us meet our goal of having at least 50% of academic departments and at least 25% of non-academic departments represented. We encourage each department to elect at least one person to join us on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 from 2 - 4 p.m. in the Great Hall. Please contact Chelsey Castiglione at cmc152@humboldt.edu or (707) 826-5228 for more information.

Be sure to also look for posters around campus with QR codes you can scan to provide anonymous answers about how you would approach some of the most common types of situations our teams encounter. Later this month, we will share a separate division email about multiple ways you can join in to educate the community regarding and help prevent sexualized violence.

Last Chance: Join Our Division Cultural Humility Conversation

Thanks to all who are taking part in our division-wide conversations guided by the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, focused on cultural humility and the ethics of care. Many of you have already attended one of our initial sessions, which are only the beginning of this work, and are intended to provide space for learning, reflection, and shared conversation. If you haven’t yet been able to attend, there is one remaining opportunity next week:

• Friday, February 20 | 3:00–4:00 p.m. | Library Fishbowl (209)

Once all sessions are complete, ODEI will share major themes gathered from the reflection process, and our division will develop a plan for training and action once we learn from each other. Thank you for your engagement in this work, and I look forward to learning more about how you are viewing the work we are currently doing, as well as our opportunities for growth.

Housing Applications Now Open

The Housing Application for 2026-2027 is now open to explore! Students can read through materials, make selections and pay the application fee. It will open for submission for all students the week of 2/16/25. For more information visit https://www.humboldt.edu/housing-reslife/apply

Black Liberation Month Activities

Don’t forget to check out campus events for Black Liberation Month by visiting https://www.humboldt.edu/umoja/black-liberation-month

Dining & Bookstore News

Campus Store Sales Opportunities: Feb 12-15: 25% off logo apparel and gifts. Feb 12: Hydro Flask All White $14.  February 19: Student Appreciation Day Sale 20% off logo apparel & gifts.

Humboldt Dining Survey Sessions 2026: Join us for an in-person feedback session to help us continue to evolve the dining program. To learn more and register, please visit: https://forms.gle/B5VwdnZ3VDrX4TPc6

Matcha has arrived on Campus: Enjoy a classic Matcha Latte or a deliciously festive Raspberry Matcha for a limited time! Available only on Boost Mobile Ordering, download the app today to enjoy your Matcha and skip the line with Boost! Plus, use code 'Dine20' for 20% OFF! 

College Creek Marketplace Full Cafe Menu is Back: Enjoy delicious espresso drinks, iced coffee, fun flavors, and Angie's chai at College Creek! Some of our Wintertime favorites include Peppermint Mochas and Spiced Chai Lattes! Check Marketplace hours here: dineoncampus.com/calpolyhumboldt/hours-of-operations

Sip Sustainably & Get Free Coffee: Try it at the College Creek Marketplace Cafe. Bring your own mug six times and earn a free coffee for being sustainable! Use StampMe, our digital stamp card, to collect your sustainable stamps. 

 New Hires and Position Changes

Please join me and the Admissions Department in welcoming Sydney Hamilton to the team! Sydney will be assuming the role of Admissions Recruiter, and will be responsible for serving Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

As always, I am grateful for your hard work and dedication - make time for your friends and loved ones, find a reason each day to smile, and don’t let the winter doldrums get you down!

Take care of yourselves and each other,