SpartanMessenger - September 16, 2025
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SpartanMessenger is the new, one-stop shop for all employee info and resources at SJSU. Landing in employee inboxes and online every Tuesday morning. Have news to share for faculty, staff, auxiliary employees, or all the above? Send us your news.
Next Monday: Staff Council Ice Cream Social
Don’t miss this signature annual event with staff from across the university and President Cynthia Teniente-Matson. Enjoy free sweet treats and make some new friends in the Spartan Rose Garden from 1 to 3 p.m.
Welcome to the 408 is a celebration connecting San José State Spartans to the heart of the city we call home. From August 20 to September 20, discover free and discounted events hosted by local businesses, artists, and community partners across downtown San José.
The SJSU Staff Awards recognize the hard work and achievements of the university and the Foundation's staff. Nominations for the four awards will open soon.
News and Announcements
Expand Your Digital Skills at the DHC
🚀 Level up your digital skills with hands-on workshops at the King Library’s Digital Humanities Center! Whether you’re looking to sharpen your expertise, explore new tools, or spark your creativity, we’ve got something for you! 🔥
This Weekend – American Indian Heritage Celebration at SJSU
Join us to recognize the diversity and resilience of our American Indian community on campus and Bay Area at the Provident Credit Union Event Center at 12 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 21. This is led by the Indian Health Center of Santa Clara Valley and is free and open to all!
Reminder – Employee Assistance Program
LifeMatters® by Empathia, San José State University’s confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is dedicated to employee well-being.
Sat. Sept. 20, 2 p.m.
Cheer on your Spartans and the Connie L. Lurie College of Education at CEFCU Stadium. Start the Block Party with 11 a.m.near the South Campus volleyball courts with kickoff at 2:00 p.m. All employees get up to four free tickets for the first three home games with the promo code FACSTAFF25.
Now Accepting Shared Governance Task Force Nominations – Due by 9/26
Friday., Sept. 26, 12:00 p.m.
President Teniente-Matson is seeking nominations for members to serve on a Shared Governance Task Force. The committee shall be composed of faculty, students, administrators and staff. Apply by 12 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26.
TODAY at 10 a.m. – SJSU Votes Festival
Tues., Sept. 16, 10 a.m.
SJSU Votes and the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (IPACE) invite all to the fifth annual nonpartisan voter registration and civic engagement event on the Smith/Carlos Lawn from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
TODAY at 3:30 p.m. – Qualtrics Training
Tues., Sept. 16, 3:30 p.m.
This hands-on session builds upon the topics discussed during the introductory Qualtrics workshop. This workshop is for SJSU faculty, staff, and students setting up surveys on Qualtrics.
Today to Thursday (9/18) – Hammer Theater Tours
Tues., Sept. 16-18
All faculty, staff and students are invited to free tours of the Hammer Theater Center during Weeks of Welcome, Available tour times are listed in the linked form. Bring your class, department or university org and learn all about how the Hammer enriches our SJSU community!
Tomorrow (9/17) at noon – Toastmasters Open House
Wed., Sept. 17, 12 p.m.
Join colleagues at SJSU and the City of San José to improve and enhance public speaking skills in a supportive and encouraging environment. The open house will start at 12 p.m. on Sept. 17 at City Hall.
Sept. 18 at 1 p.m. – CSU Benefits Open Enrollment Webinar Series
Thurs., Sept. 18, 1 p.m.
Join the first of three open enrollment livestreams to learn about benefits available to employees.This first livestream will focus on healthcare reimbursement accounts provided through ASIFlex.
Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. – SpartUp Founders Fiesta
Thurs., Sept. 18, 4-6 p.m.
Discover how SpartUp Incubator empowers student entrepreneurs! Hear founder stories, connect with Spartans, and explore mentoring opportunities. Stay for networking, food, and community connections with faculty, staff, and peers.
Sept. 19 – Join SJSU Leaders at the Braven Summit in San José
Fri., Sept. 19, 8 a.m.
Provost Vincent Del Casino, Jr. moderates a panel discussing how institutions like SJSU leverage data to improve educational outcomes and Lucas College Dean Priya Kannan joins another panel to discuss AI in the higher ed space.
Sept. 19 – Music in the Park Returns to Downtown
Fri., Sept. 19, 5:00 p.m.
Get tickets to this Friday’s Blue Öyster Cult performance at 5 p.m. in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez, outside Spartan Village on the Paseo (SVP) and bring your children to Kids Day in the Park on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.
Sept. 24 – University Scholar Series (Virtual)
Wed., Sept. 24, 12 p.m.
You are all invited to attend the first University Scholar Series this semester on Wednesday, September 24 from 12 to 1 p.m. Dr. Li Shen (Jesslyn) Chong will present, "Biopsychosocial Contexts of Stress: From Mechanisms to Targeted Interventions.”
Sept. 26 – Responsible Innovation in AI Conference
Fri., Sept. 26, 9:00 a.m.
Join us for a free half-day event all about how artificial intelligence is being used in education, business, and everyday life. Learn what’s happening now, what’s coming next, and how you can be part of it.
Get Official SJSU Photos from the New Canto Library
The SJSU photo archive is now live via a new platform at go.sjsu.edu/photolibrary and free to use by all employees. Get photos for use on websites, print materials and more!
Faculty and Staff Bowling League – Email Larry Aldama to Join
Every Friday at 12:00 p.m.
Enjoy time relaxing each Friday at noon for fun and exercise. Join the Faculty and Staff Bowling league in the Student Union Bowling Center.
Oct. 3 – Attend the What’s Up Presentation from FABS
Fri., Oct. 3, 8:30-11 a.m.
Join the Finance and Business Services "What's Up" Zoom on Friday, October 3, 8:30 to 11 a.m. Gain crucial insights into campus financial processes, gather actionable information and ensure smoother departmental workflows.
Oct. 11 – Manet and Morisot Exhibition in SF
The French Program in the SJSU World Languages and Literature Department invites you to experience an exceptional Manet and Morisot exhibition at The Legion of Honor museum in San Francisco starting this October in commemoration of SF Fine Arts Museum’s centennial.
Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Faculty Spotlight: Three Spartans Named Chancellor’s Fellows
Stephanie Stiavetti, ’27 PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision (CES), a member of the Institutional Review Board, is now a fellow in the CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program (CDIP). Stephanie is joined by two other Spartans Alfonso Ayala III, ’24 MA Chicana and Chicano Studies and Ya-Ting Tsai, ’20 MA Linguistics.
Staff Spotlight: Michelle Smith
SJSU’s own senior director of media relations Michelle Smith McDonald, ‘90 mass communications, was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 5 in recognition of her trailblazing career as a national sports journalist. McDonald’s work, recognized with the Hall’s Curt Gowdy Print Media Award, has been featured in ESPN, the San Francisco Chronicle, AOL Fanhouse and ESPNw.
SJSU NewsCenter Featured Stories
Tanequa Bailey Recognized by CSU
This software engineering student is one of the recipients of the prestigious 2025 CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. This prestigious $7,000 scholarship recognizes superior academic performance.
Are you following SJSU Community and Government Relations on Instagram? Keep up with the latest and greatest goings-on throughout San José from community partners by following @SJSUCGR
