December 16, 2025
We're Celebrating: You!
Your ongoing and tireless commitment to our students is an integral piece of our Spartans' journey that gets them across the stage this commencement week. Your hard work throughout the year, in ways big and small, seen and unseen, advances our students' success. No matter your role, or the time spent as part of our community, all your contributions at SJSU are greatly appreciated!
Action Items
Nominations Open: 2026 Author, Artist, Inventor Celebration
Nominations due Feb. 13, 2026
Did you author a published book or exhibited a significant work of art in 2025? Submit your work to be recognized at the spring 2026 Celebration by. completing the online form by Feb. 13, 2026, at 5 p.m. Additional info via link.
For Faculty: Register ASAP by Jan. 2, 2026
Jan. 2, 2026
Join this Community of Practice if you are interested in exploring ways that universities can recruit, retain, and ensure the success of a diverse body of faculty. This three-session program runs in Feb., Mar. and Apr. 2026 and is open to all faculty.
FYI for all: Finals Are this Month
Dec. 10-17, 2025
Students' final exams and culminating activities run until Wed., Dec. 17. Please take care to not disrupt classes with excessive noise and practice compassion during this time for all students who will need to focus on their studies.
Announcing a new CSU Staff Awards
Jan. 2026
The CSU Chancellor’s Office announced the inaugural Trustee Wenda Fong and Mr. Daniel Fetterly Staff Award, a recognition program celebrating the extraordinary contributions of CSU staff. Information to come early in the next year.
Training from ODEI - Register ASAP
Jan. 8, 2026
For MPPs and Managers only: How do we recognize, prevent and respond to inequities in our workplace? This workshop reviews science behind unconscious bias, microaggressions, and creating people-centered workspaces.
Due Tomorrow, Dec. 17
Complete the CSUBUY Readiness Assessment by Wed., Dec. 17, 2025. Your input is vital to tailor training and support for a successful Procure-to-Pay platform launch.
National Day of Racial Healing
Jan. 20, 2026
The National Day of Racial Healing is a time to reflect on #HowWeHeal from racism and how we create a more just and equitable world. This event is open to all who wish to participate, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
Starting April 2026: All Digital Content Must Meet Legal Standards
April 2026
The Accessible Technology Initiative (ATI) of the California State University (CSU) system is an initiative to ensure that information and communication technology (ICT) is accessible to all students, faculty, staff, and the wider community. ICT includes websites, computer software and hardware, and multimedia.
San José State University’s Sammy App is the gateway to the campus community. Get access to all the latest events, news, and information. Make connections with other students, find out how to get more involved on campus, and learn about resources and services that are available to you.
Read the fall 2025 newsletter from the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.
News and Announcements
Announcing the new SVP and ALO
Dr. Magdalena Barrera will begin her role as Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Accreditation Liaison Officer in January 2026. As Vice Provost for Faculty Success since 2020, Dr. Barrera has worked to embed access, transparency, and institutional excellence into the structures that shape faculty life at SJSU.
The latest updates from University Personnel Senior Associate Vice President Jeanne Durr, recapping achievements of the past year and what to look forward to in 2026. Save the date for the 2026 Celebrating Spartans faculty and staff awards on Apr. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Student Union ballroom.
All year, 24/7
Get mental and emotional support when you need it, all year long, and especially during the holidays. Offered at no cost to employees. Log in to mylifematters.com with code SPARTANS.
Free Tickets for Employees: SJSU MBB vs. SDSU
Dec. 30, 4 p.m.
SJSU Men's Basketball hosts the San Diego State University Aztecs in the Provident Credit Union Event Center. All faculty and staff get free entry at the door with their Tower ID.
Exclusive Holiday Savings for Spartans!
Dec. 2025
Exclusive Holiday Savings for Spartans: San José State University partners with TicketsatWork to offer exclusive employee discounts on travel, dining, entertainment, and holiday shopping. Start saving today!
Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Culture and Tradition
Dec. 15-23, 2025
SJSU King Library’s Africana, Asian American, Chicano, & Native American (AAACNA) Studies Center and the African American Community Service Agency invite you to experience the spirit of Kwanzaa through a vibrant exhibition that celebrates the meaningful principles that honor community, family, and heritage.
Beethoven Piano Sonatas in the Marketplace: Supply and Demand Over Two Centuries Exhibition
Dec. 15-24, 2025
This exhibit, which features a select set of these editions, highlights competing efforts of publishers to meet the demand from pianists and teachers, and editors who sought to provide new perspectives on these iconic works. The exhibit is based on the forthcoming book, Beethoven GPS: A Bibliographic Guide to Collected Editions of the Piano Sonatas by Patricia Stroh (A-R Editions, 2026)
Commencement Hours for Campus Dining
Dec. 15-19, 2025
Campus dining options will be limited and operating under different hours this includes all food options across campus from the King Library, Student Union, Dining Commons and Spartan Village on the Paseo.
Save the Date: Lucas College Open House
Jan. 24, 2026
Ready to take the next step in your business journey? Discover how the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business can help you elevate your career. Founded in 1928, we're proudly serving as the largest provider of business graduates to Silicon Valley.
Save the Date: Celebrate Local Authors at the annual LocalLit author fair
Jan. 24, 2026
San José Public Library (SJPL) and San José State University (SJSU) King Library are pleased to announce the 13th annual LocalLit event. We'll enjoy light refreshments and snacks while we listen to local authors share their stories and experiences in writing and publishing their works, answer questions from the public, and have copies of their books for sale. This event is free and open to everyone.
Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Faculty Spotlight: Center for Community Learning and Leadership
In case you missed it: the CCLL brought together an array of faculty across several colleges including Vicky Gomez, Krissy Hassett, Ravisha Mathur, Belén Moreno, Jenny Pearlman and others to review progress in implementing service and community-engaged learning.
Staff Spotlight: UP Talent Acquisition Team
Meet the University Personnel team connecting Spartans with purpose and opportunity, ensuring every hire strengthens our campus and community year-round.
In memoriam: Robert "Bob" Foster
Former mayor of Long Beach, CA (2006-'14), CSU Trustee ('97-'06), alumnus of San José State University and a “leader-in-residence” in the SJSU department of Political Science died at the age of 78.
SJSU NewsCenter Featured Stories
Countdown to Commencement: Vincent Peña Embraces a Challenge
This graduate of the intercollegiate Successful Postsecondary Access & Related Transition Activities for Neurodiverse Students Occupational Career Life Studies (SPARTANS OCLS) program shares his story of resilience and achievement.
Launching the Harold Dean Valceschini and Joan Robel Valceschini Real Estate Certificate
A new chapter for real estate education at San José State University is here! Thanks to the vision and generosity of alumnus Harold Dean Valceschini and his late wife, Joan Robel Valceschini.
All guests and employees are encouraged to use the new artificial intelligence agent SJSUGrad developed jointly by Information Technology and University Advancement and aligned with SJSU's AI Everywhere strategy. To get accurate and quick answers to all commencement related questions, simply text “commencement” to 23108. SJSUGrad is also available at sjsu.edu/commencement. Explore all commencement amenities at go.sjsu.edu/gradmap.
