Spotlight
Former Sonoma State University student, Kristy Deiner (Biology MS, 2004), was highlighted in Nature News for leading the largest one-day aquatic biodiversity sampling effort in the world.
After completing his master's thesis at Sonoma State University, David Ensminger completed a PhD at Penn State and a post-doctoral position at UC Berkeley. David is currently an Assistant Professor at San Jose State University.
Dr. Erica Tom is an educator, bridging academic and equine worlds. She takes her teaching beyond the classroom. In 2018, Erica founded Equi-Sense, a therapeutic equine program melding ethology, trauma-informed practices, and Natural Horsemanship.
Michael Newland graduated from Sonoma State’s Cultural Resources Management M.A. program in 2000. Since that time, he has helped transform the discipline of archaeology with his efforts in public outreach and tribal consultation, and research and advocacy on climate change.
Since 2020, Alycia Asai, a current History MA student at Sonoma State, has hosted a weekly podcast, Civics and Coffee, in which she explores American history topics, usually in 15-20 minutes, just long enough for a coffee break. 
Tracy Whitaker earned her special education credentials, her MA in Education with a concentration in Special Education, and her Administrative Services Credential at SSU. She's taught a course in special education to our credential candidates.
SSU graduate student, Beth Sabo, served as a visiting biologist at Owl Camp, a nature-based day camp run by LandPaths. The mission of LandPaths is to foster a love of the land through access, stewardship, and education. Beth worked with 30 campers ranging from ages 6-16.
Nicole Hitchcock is Senior Winemaker of J Vineyards and Winery, and was recently named "Winemaker of the Year" by Wine Enthusiast’s 2022 Wine Star Awards.
First-year History MA student Dane Beatie recently had an article accepted for review by Diogenes, a graduate student publication in Byzantine, Ottoman, and Modern Greek studies at the University of Birmingham in Britain.
SSU's Cultural Resources Management Master's program had a blockbuster Society for California Archaeology conference in Oakland, March 17-19, 2023. Our alumni and faculty organized and gave presentations in two major symposia.