SpartanMessenger - September 9, 2025
Send in Your News ASAP
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.
Open Enrollment Begins Sept. 15
Starting this Monday, September 15, all active employees with appointments that exceed six months and one day, with a time base of at least .50 and academic-year lecturers and coaches are eligible for benefits if appointed for a minimum of one semester or two consecutive quarters with a time base of .40 or greater. Log on to PeopleSoft to confirm or select new benefits.
Give Your Feedback on the Fall Welcome
As we work to make Fall Welcome even better, we’d love your input. Please take a few moments to share your feedback in our survey—your voice helps shape future campus events.
Join the Budget Town Hall in person at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 16 in the Student Union Theater. Registration is now open to all employees.
News and Announcements
Nominations Open for the AVPR Search Committee
Interested in joining the committee to review candidates for this important role? Include a brief written statement reflecting interest and qualifications. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15.
RSVP for the Staff Council Ice Cream Social
Mon., Sept. 22, 1:30 p.m.
Join your colleagues from across the university at this can’t-miss, signature social event of the fall semester co-hosted by the Staff Council and President Cynthia Teniente-Matson in the Spartan Rose Garden.
Tues., Sept. 9, 12:30 p.m.
Spend your lunch break listening to SJSU faculty perform live and in person in the Music Building Concert Hall. This event is free and open to all to sit in and enjoy live music.
For Faculty - Creating Inclusive Course Materials
Tues., Sept. 9, 2 p.m.
This exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of SJSU’s CADRE Media Lab, the hub of Digital Media Art. This exhibition and a series of events planned this year honor the history of the program as much as they look to the future.
Tuesday Night Lecture Series Featuring Fidencio Fifield-Perez
Tues., Sept. 9, 2 p.m.
Every Tuesday evening during the semester, the Department of Art & Art History has an “Open House” that includes a weekly free public lecture from 5 - 6pm, followed by receptions in the six Student Galleries located throughout the Art Building and in the Industrial Studies Building.
Digital Media Art Faculty Exhibition + Reception
Tues., Sept. 9, 5 p.m.
This exhibition marks the 40th anniversary of SJSU’s CADRE Media Lab, the hub of Digital Media Art. This exhibition and a series of events planned this year honor the history of the program as much as they look to the future.
Wed., Sept. 10, 10 a.m.
Join a live webinar with IT and Zoom to learn about new integrated communications tools to stay connected with each other. Visit the webpage and click on the Zoom link at 10 a.m. to join live.
Explore VR at the King Library KLEVR Lab
Wed., Sept. 10, 10 a.m.
All faculty, staff and students are welcome to explore the use of AI, virtual reality, augmented reality and other emerging technology in the classroom, for research and personal endeavors.
For Faculty - Inclusive Course Materials
Wed., Sept. 10, 2 p.m.
Join us for this 30 minute session where we explore best practices for creating accessible content in Word documents, PDFs and Google Docs. We’ll also explore ways to use ChatGPT in your workflow to support accessibility. There will be time for questions throughout the session.
Upcoming Events at the Hammer Theater
Sept. 2025
Join us for National Theatre Live: “Vanya” (Thu 9/11), “Present Laughter” (Fri 9/12) and Blasian Bay Digital Archive (Thu 9/18) all at our home for performing arts and local culture, walking distance from campus!
Improve Your Public Speaking – Join the Toastmasters Open House
Wed., Sept. 17, 12 - 1 p.m.
RSVP now to join the Downtown Speechmakers Toastmasters Open House on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12 p.m. This is a fun, supportive space to build public speaking confidence, communication, and leadership skills.
Thu., 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.
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.
For Faculty: Reminder of King Library Resources
Get instructional support and seamless access to research and reference material to aid your work in the classroom, the laboratory and the field.
Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Faculty Spotlight: Sharesly Rodriguez
SJSU’s first Artificial Intelligence Librarian joins other librarians from across the nation weighing in on which AI returns the best answers without making stuff up.
SJSU Athletics Director of Player Personnel and alumnus Beca Perez is a trailblazer on and off the field, working to rebuild the SJSU Football roster and enhance the player experience – their work is only just beginning.
Sheryl Ehrman Comments on AI in Higher Ed
Dean of the Davidson College of Engineering is quoted in an article discussing how Bay Area institutions of higher education are rethinking educational models to accommodate Artificial Intelligence.
Shaun Fletcher Weighs In on WNBA Valkyries Valuation
Associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications is interviewed on the record valuation of the Bay Area's expansion WNBA team
Frederico Varona Publishes New Book on Social Change
Communications emeritus professor in the College of Social Sciences published this summer "Appreciative Paradigm: From Methodology to Paradigm".
SJSU NewsCenter Featured Stories
ICYMI - UROP Opens Doors for Undergrads
The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program connects research faculty with first-year, soph and transfer students with on-the-ground paid experience in research, connection, collaboration and professional development.
Alumnus, Filmmaker and Director George Retelas Invites You to Honor our Veterans this 9/11
This Thursday, Sept. 11, be part of an unforgettable evening honoring service, sacrifice, and history. Sundown to Eleven follows WWII veteran Richard “Dick” Miralles—the last surviving member of the U.S. Navy’s Air Group Eleven—on his heartfelt mission to uncover the fate of a fallen comrade lost over the Pacific in 1944.
