San José State University

Countdown to Commencement!

SJSU will be celebrating our newest alumni on May 21-23 Enjoy live-streamed ceremonies for faraway friends and family, as well as in-person entertainment and prizes. See you there!

Ceremony Info

Cover of the Spring 2025 Issue of Washington Square: The Magazine, Tree Illustration by Brian Anderson.

Washington Square: The Magazine Spring 2025 Issue

Student success can be subjective, hard to define or measure. Is it reflected in one’s GPA, resume or acceptance to graduate school? The spring issue shares a few examples of how San José State creates a welcoming environment for students to succeed.

Dig into our latest issue

A Transformative University

Money Magazine

U.S. News & World Report

Wall Street Journal

U.S. News & World Report

Wall Street Journal

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News

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SJSU Receives R2 Research Designation

Deep Dive in Five with Diana Victa: Celebrating 20 Years of the César E. Chávez Community Action Center

Exploring Public Interest Technology (PIT): A Career Fair for Social Impact

Poets&Quants Best Undergraduate Business Schools, 2025 #1 Among Public Universities in California

Lucas College and Graduate School of Business Ranked #1 Among Public Undergraduate Business Schools in California and Top 100 in the Nation

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SJSU Live & On Demand

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Upcoming Events

May 02

Baseball - San Jose State vs. UNLV

May 05

Playing The Library | A Surround Sound/Visual Experience

May 07

AI Futures Symposium: On the Role of Creativity, Ethics, Assessment and Innovation in Public Education

May 07

QuickBites // AI in Creative Spaces

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Imagine Yourself Here

Three students working in the IDEAS lab at SJSU.

Why Choose SJSU?

San José State provides a world-class education—whether courses are online or in person. The university is expanding the ways we provide high-quality education and unique research and hands-on experiences to students.

SJSU Online

Offering valuable and affordable programs taught by SJSU faculty, students with busy lifestyles who have previous college credits can complete their bachelor's degree on a fast and flexible timeline, 100% online.

Washington Square: The Magazine

Washington Square serves as SJSU’s university and alumni magazine, sharing compelling and inspiring stories that embody the Spartan pride and resilience we all treasure.

Explore our Interactive Map

Discover all San José State University campuses with a brand-new engaging and interactive campus map.

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14h
Brian Kohne, ‘89 RTVF, has been a Maui boy since the age of five, when his family relocated to the island from Detroit. When he came to SJSU to play D1 soccer, he also became a Spartan, exploring his interest in film, radio and graphic design.

But the goal was always to return to Maui, to create and be a part of the burgeoning film industry there. He ended up directing two feature films, teaching and helping coordinate a film program at the University of Hawaii - Maui College and serving as the Maui film commissioner.

“[So much of] my life really just sprang from the opportunities and the positive experiences in the Bay Area and San José in particular,” he says. “Everything was always about gathering and building and bringing people together, and those are skills that I've continued to use throughout my life.”

Read more about Kohne’s journey on the SJSU NewsCenter.
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2d
Jonathan Stoll, ’05 Economics, helped found the César E. Chávez Community Action Center (CCCAC) at San José State 20 years ago. He is among those being honored this week as the center celebrates its anniversary.

“The inspiration for the CCCAC is rooted in both service and spirit,” says Stoll. “After my second year at San José State, I took a gap year to serve in an AmeriCorps program called City Year. When I returned to SJSU, I founded a student organization called Students in Action, which became the foundation for what would eventually grow into a larger effort to mobilize SJSU students in service to the greater San José community. At the time, the Executive Director of Student Involvement, Alfonso De Alba, proposed the idea of naming the organization in honor of César Chávez — to commemorate his enduring legacy of service and social justice.”

Check out today’s Deep Dive in Five with CCCAC Department Manager Diana Victa, ’10 Sociology, to learn more about Thursday’s special concert featuring Las Cafeteras and a celebratory luncheon this Friday.
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5d
🎉 The other day, we celebrated SJSU’s incredible research, scholarship, and creativity! From honoring our Early Career Investigator and Industry-Sponsored Research Award winners to exploring 80+ student posters, the event was packed with innovation, insight, and Spartan brilliance. 🚀✨

💡 A proud showcase of the talent and discovery happening across campus!

#SJSU #ResearchExcellence #InnovationInAction #SpartanPride

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20h
This spring, when Wil Quintero graduates from the MBA program at the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business, he’ll have a very special guest in attendance: his 8-year-old son Matthew.

“When I tell him I’m about to graduate, he tells me, ‘I’m proud of you,’” Quintero says. “Growing up, I never heard those words. It wasn’t until I was 30 years old that I heard my son say, ‘I’m proud of you.’ It wasn’t normal in my community to hear those words, so I am glad it is normal to him.”

A counselor for San José State’s chapter of Project Rebound, which serves formerly incarcerated individuals as they earn college degrees, Quintero’s own life turned around when he enrolled in community college after serving time for a nonviolent offense. Read his story, the first in a series of Countdown to Commencement profiles, on the SJSU NewsCenter blog.
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3d
“The impact of state budget cuts to the CSU are not hypothetical. Stop state cuts to the CSU!”

SJSU is an engine of opportunity and prosperity for thousands of students across our region and our state. But if state leaders in Sacramento pass harmful budget cuts to the CSU system, the impact on SJSU will be deeply felt. Fewer course offerings. Longer time to graduation. Reductions in academic advising and mental health care. Higher barriers for first-generation students.
SJSU is facing a $25 million cut next fall. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We need you. We need your voice.

Help us stop the cuts to the CSU! Reach out to your legislators and tell them the future of our students is too important.

Find out more on the SJSU Facebook page
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7d
What happens when technology meets social good and is introduced to industry, government and civil society employers? Public Interest Technology (PIT).

On March 20, the SJSU Career Center hosted the Regional PIT Career Resource Fair which featured industry experts who shared valuable career advice and responded to student questions, providing a roadmap to careers that merge technology with public service.

Read more on the SJSU NewsCenter blog.

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38h
What an unforgettable afternoon of movement, music and connection on the Tower Lawn! Students, faculty, and community members came together to dance, drum or simply soak in the vibrant energy of African traditions during this special #Afrocentric celebration. 🌍🥁

A huge thank you to the incredible artists who shared their talents with us: Jean Kinzonzi, Kiazi Malonga, Arnaud Loubayi, Aly Guissé, Danielle DeLane, Philip Amo Agyapong, Bernice Kumatse, Kokou S Katamani, Dr. Folarin Erogbogbo, N'Fungola Sibo and more. Your performances were powerful, inspiring and full of heart.

Here’s to honoring culture, building community and keeping the rhythm alive. 💃🏾🪘

#Afrocentric #TowerLawnVibes #CulturalCelebration #AfricanDance #AfricanDrumming #SJSUEvents #CommunityThroughCulture
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4d
We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for “Digital Illusions,” a dynamic exhibition presented by the SJSU Digital Media Art program!

From interactive installations and experimental video to animation and game design, the showcase celebrated student work at the intersection of art and technology—where creativity meets innovation. These incredible pieces reflect the imagination, technical skill, and critical thinking our students bring to the digital space, shaping the future of culture and media.

👏 A huge shoutout to Professors James Morgan and Craig G. Hobbs for guiding and celebrating their students’ success through this powerful exhibition.

📸 Photo credits to Daria Orlova (Images 9 & 10)

#DigitalIllusions #SJSU #SJSUArts #DigitalMediaArt #SpartanCreativity #ArtAndTech #SJSUExhibition
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8d
How can Spartans handle anxiety about climate change? Author and activist Kate Schapira offered some actionable suggestions this spring at a special event at Hammer Theatre, where she invited SJSU students and members of the public to envision their ideal world and brainstorm actions they can take to mitigate the changing climate.

Imaan Siddiqui, ’26 Psychology, Creative Writing, attended the event and felt moved by Schapira’s insight and activities. As president of the SJSU Sustainability and Climate Innovation Club (SCI), she sees a direct correlation between climate anxiety and the need for a more sustainable world.

“[Climate change includes] every single facet of how we live our lives,” Siddiqui says. “It was refreshing to hear which issues people would tackle first when it comes to imagining their ‘perfect’ world.”

Get the full story on the SJSU NewsCenter blog.

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41h
Making a Great Impression—One Meal at a Time

@SJSUinternational teamed up with @studentunionsjsu and @sjsu_careercenter for a fun and super helpful etiquette workshop with Global Etiquette Expert Syndi Seid! 🥂

Students learned how to navigate professional dining with confidence—because making a great impression doesn’t stop at the dinner table. 🍽️💼

Thank you to everyone who joined us—next stop: networking like a pro! 👏✨

#SJSU #LevelUpYourSkills #CareerReady #DiningEtiquette #SJSUinternational #ProfessionalVibes
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4d
Strengthening community is key to career exploration! 💪

Last night’s exciting collaboration between @SJSUCareerCenter , @sjsu.apian , and @capisesjsu brought “Empower API Futures: Navigating Careers with Purpose and Identity” to life. The engaging panel discussion spotlighted the experiences of API alumni and current students, with their stories taking center stage.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined the conversation, diving deep into identity and finding the ideal workplace! 💼
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9d
🔬✨ Today highlighted why SJSU Research Week is so important! We had the privilege of seeing the diverse range of research projects our students have been developing with their dedicated faculty mentors.

The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) forum showcased students sharing their research progress, innovative ideas, and journeys. It's inspiring to witness the passion and creativity driving these projects. We’re proud of the future leaders shaping tomorrow through research. 🌱

A big thank you to Andrew Carter, UROP Program Director, and Emily Chan, Director of Research Engagement, who served as our incredible MC. And special shoutouts to the four UROP presenters—Leena Rehman, Mariam Malik, Siddharth Singh, and Sanjana Ramesh—for sharing their brilliant work!

#SJSUResearchWeek #UROP #StudentResearch #Innovation #sjsu

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44h
“Now is not the time to scale back our commitment to public higher education. Now is the time to double down on it.”

If state leaders enact their proposed devastating cuts to the CSU system, that means a $25 million loss to SJSU, impacting our ability to train the future workforce in technology, education, health care, engineering and more. As Silicon Valley’s only public university, we know the vital impact that our students have as they go out into a dynamic, fast-changing world. Help us stop the cuts to the CSU! Reach out to your legislators and tell them that we cannot cut our way to excellence!
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5d
🏈💙 WEEEE READY! WEEE READY! We ready… for Spartan Football this fall! 🔥

If you caught today’s Spring Game, you already know our team has been putting in WORK all semester—and it showed on the field. 💪⚡

This fall, get hyped, get loud, and show up strong as our Spartans take the stadium and conquer the season! 💛💙

#SpartanUp #SJSUFootball #WeReady #SpringGame #SpartanPride
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10d
🔬✨ Get ready, Spartans our third annual Research Week is here! 🎉

Join us in celebrating the incredible RSCA—Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities—taking place across campus and across disciplines, including exciting work showcased at the @sjsulibrary ! 🧠🎨📚

From the Celebration of Research to the Innovation Showcase, Grad Slam, Engineering Showcase, and the Author & Artist Celebration—there’s something for everyone! 💡🚀

Don't miss the chance to find out more about the next several days on our SJSU Facebook or LinkedIn Pages

#SJSUResearchWeek #RSCA #Innovation #GradSlam #SpartanScholars #SJSU #ResearchInAction