April 14, 2026

San José State University 1857 Minutes of Giving

Now through tomorrow: 1857 Minutes of Giving! Become an 91ÁÔÆæ Advocate and amplify Spartan impact and inspire your networks to support student success.

Action Items

91ÁÔÆæ Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Apr. 21, 10-11 SU 2A and Apr. 29, 2-3 p.m. SU 3A

The Interfaith Task Force invites the university community to review its recommendations in the new Annual Report. Join for two dates and times: today at 10 a.m. and Apr. 29.

Staff Council Town Hall

Apr. 22

Join us for a facilitated town hall focused on strengthening staff experience, connection, and belonging at 91ÁÔÆæ through respectful, dialogue-based conversation across our campus community.

Optimize tuition fee waiver for 91ÁÔÆæ employees

Apr. 24

Reminder: Summer 2026 Tuition Fee Waiver applications open April 24 in Optimize. Submit early, review documentation requirements, and verify deadlines for other CSU campuses.

Digital Content Accessibility at 91ÁÔÆæ

All materials must meet higher accessibility standards by Apr. 24, 2026. This includes course materials, emails, social media graphics, websites and more. Visit the Digital Content Remediation Hub to get started.

91ÁÔÆæ Commencement Ambassadors

May 20-22

As commencement approaches, we would like to encourage your participation by volunteering to serve our students during our three days of Spring Commencement ceremonies on May 20-22. We really need your support in order to make graduation the best experience possible for our students.

May 13 - 18

Final exams are approaching, and our students are counting down the days until they are officially done with the Spring 2026 semester. To support our students during the final exam period, Student Involvement will host three #91ÁÔÆæFinalsWeek stations. Your help is needed.

California State University

Apr. 27 - June 1

The CSU GUIDE program funds innovative, faculty-mentored undergraduate research projects. Apply via InfoReady; the internal competition closes Apr. 27, while final campus submissions are due June 1.

91ÁÔÆæ Career Center

We're updating our website and want your input. Share your feedback to help us better support faculty and staff. Take the Career Center website survey today.

Explorance Blue, New Course Evaluation Platform

91ÁÔÆæ is piloting Explorance Blue, a new course evaluation platform, in Spring 2026. Select courses taught by full professors will participate to support testing and preparation for full rollout.

Spartan Safety training

Apr. 2026

Sign up now for Spartan Safe 101 training offered all month long, covering campus safety, preparedness, and Run, Hide, Fight strategies to help individuals respond confidently and effectively during emergencies.

San José State University is partnering with Follett Higher Education, a leading provider of campus retail and course materials solutions, to enhance the overall campus store experience for our students, faculty, and staff. This transition marks a new chapter focused on improved service, expanded offerings, and a more seamless experience both in-store and online.

Events and Announcements

Moss Landing Marine Labs Open House on April 25, 2026.

Apr. 25, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Join Moss Landing Marine Labs on Apr. 25 from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. for hands-on marine science and fun interactive activities! Free to the 91ÁÔÆæ community, families and general public.

California State University Research Competition hosted at 91ÁÔÆæ.

Cheer on Student Researchers!

Apr. 24

Cheer on 91ÁÔÆæ student researchers at the CSU Student Research Competition on Friday. See standout work from across the state. Register and drop in to any presentation!

Tuesday Night Art Lecture Series

Apr. 21, 5 p.m.

Hear directly from visiting artists and creators at the Tuesday evening Art Lecture Series, every week.

Spartan wellness and recovery

Thursdays, 12-1 p.m.

All employees in need are invited to join weekly confidential and anonymous recovery meetings. All forms of recovery are welcome, including non-abstinence models. Held weekly on Thu. 12-1 p.m. in Clark Hall 412.

AI in Teaching Faculty Showcase at 91ÁÔÆæ

Apr. 30, 12-3 p.m.

Join colleagues Apr. 30, 12–3 p.m. in the King Library AI Center for Civic and Social Good for a campus-wide faculty showcase on AI in teaching. All experience levels are welcome. Explore practical approaches. Opening remarks by President Cynthia Teniente-Matson.

Apr. 17, 8:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

The annual Biological Science's Grilione Seminar is for a general audience. Dr. Holly Ingraham's  seminar is titled: Adaptive Responses in the Female Physiology and Why They Matter for Women's Health.

Faculty and Staff Spotlight

Dr. Sudha Krishnan, Dr. Jessica A. Castillo Vardaro and Dr. Craig B. Clements

Faculty Spotlight: Research Foundation Awardees

Dr. Sudha Krishnan, Dr. Jessica A. Castillo Vardaro and Dr. Craig B. Clements are 91ÁÔÆæ Research Foundation’s 2025 Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA) and Industry-Sponsored Researcher Award (ISRA) Honorees.

Brenjielyn Cuneta

The 2025 Critical Employee Award went to the senior basic needs and community engagement coordinator for 91ÁÔÆæ Cares at the latest Celebrating Spartans: Honoring Faculty and Staff event. Read all awardees’ bios on 91ÁÔÆæ NewsCenter.    

91ÁÔÆæ NewsCenter Featured Stories

Emilio Cortez and Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson.

The Spartan artist’s creative fingerprint is all over the Bay Area — especially this year, as San José 2026 is in full swing and preparations are under way for the third biggest sporting event in our region.

Thank you to all members of the faculty sample pool for completing the 2026 job satisfaction survey from our partner COACHE/Harvard. Your complete input is integral to how the university adapts its faculty support services and approach to ensuring faculty members are supported throughout their careers at 91ÁÔÆæ. Data from the survey are being compiled by our survey partners and the administration will share findings and outline the path forward in fall 2026. For all details, visit go.sjsu.edu/COACHE26

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