EMSS Team Members:

Happy Friday, EMSS team –  I hope everyone has had a good week and is looking forward to a three-day weekend, though I know many are engaged with Spring Preview tomorrow. Whatever your weekend holds, I hope you find some time to enjoy it! Please take a few moments to review items of interest for our division and campus below.

Connect with prospective and current students

Do you need help communicating with either prospective or our currently enrolled students? Have an event you want to promote or information you think might sway students to pick Humboldt as their top college? Don’t forget that our Strategic Student Communications team is here to help, combining enrollment-focused communications with the design and outreach efforts of the Student Marketing Center and the Humbot text and chat platform. With a new request form, you can now request any service that the department offers all in one place. Visit https://www.humboldt.edu/smc and click on “Submit a request” to leverage this resource!

Voluntary Separation Incentive Program

A campus communication yesterday shared details about this program, which offers qualifying employees access to a severance package, while seeking to address some of our campus budgetary concerns. Applications will be accepted from April 1 through April 30, unless the program ends earlier due to the response volume. Details about the program can be found at the link above, and questions can be directed to vsip@humboldt.edu.

Commencement Support

Don’t forget that Spring 2025 Commencement is May 17 in the Redwood Bowl, with a regional celebration taking place in Beverly Hills on May 20. Commencement is such a special time for our students and their families, and it takes all of us to make the event a success – so please register to participate! Those who would like to provide support during Commencement should make arrangements with their supervisor and submit their interest and availability by Friday, April 11. Positions such as greeting, ushering, providing ADA shuttle and wheelchair support, providing parking and traffic support, supporting the graduate and faculty and staff line-up area, etc. are needed for the on-campus ceremonies. Information regarding shifts and assignments will be shared closer to the event.

The most up-to-date information is posted on the Commencement website. Please email grad@humboldt.edu with any questions.   

Dining Deals and News

The Library Cafe has just added delicious ice cream to our menu. Come by and treat yourself to a sweet, refreshing delight.

Celebrate Ramadan at the J, tonight, March 28, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Experience the rich flavors and traditions with a carefully curated menu crafted to honor the spirit of this time of year. 

Check out the New Meal Plan at College Creek Marketplace:

-The "Hard Hat Meal Plan" provides 10 Meal Exchanges for only $84 (about a $2.50 savings per meal!)

-The Meal Exchange provides a wide variety of options like Daily Value Meals - Custom Sandwiches + Soda -BBQ Wings with Fries + Soda.

April Catering Specials include Breakfast Bowls - Ice Tea Trio - Low Carb Greens + Grains! Visit https://humboldtcatering.catertrax.com to place your campus catering order.

Events

Spring Preview and Preview Plus – Just a reminder that we are hosting the first of two Spring Preview events this weekend. We are hosting more than 700 guests, admitted students and their families, on campus for one of the most impactful yield events we host. Last year, more than 60% of attendees enrolled for fall – so, please, do whatever you can to support the event and positive experiences for our admitted students.

Class schedules – The Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 class schedules go live TODAY! Encourage prospective and current students to start making plans now for the next semester.

Accolades

Janeth Serrano in the Financial Aid Office has been working tirelessly over the last several months to improve access for students to the CalFresh program. It came to light in late Fall term that there was a list of "approved" programs/majors from Humboldt which students must be part of to be considered for the program, and that only 14 of our programs were originally reported on this list. The result of this limited list often led to the interview for CalFresh ending just minutes into the process, with no other qualifying criteria being considered, and barring students from accessing much needed food support. Janeth took the project on herself, and as of this month, we have 100 of our programs on the approved programs list, with a handful of graduate programs still pending review. Through her determination and continued dedication to providing students quality service and support, Janeth has opened the door to access to the CalFresh program to countless students who otherwise would have been denied from the jump. Janeth continues to be a working liaison to DHHS and to the OhSnap office here on campus. Her leadership in this area is absolutely a shining example of the work of Student Services. 

Congratulations to Kaitlin O’Brien, Campus Events Coordinator, and Santiago Menjivar, CES Operations Specialist, who were both honored as recipients of the 2024/2025 Staff Recognition Award. They were celebrated at an awards luncheon this week for their outstanding contributions. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to excellence have greatly enriched our institution. We are lucky to have them as part of our team, and their efforts continue to play a key role in the success of Cal Poly Humboldt.

Thank you all for everything you are doing to support our students and colleagues across campus. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Take care of yourselves and each other,

Chrissy Holliday

Vice President, EMSS

Cal Poly Humboldt