Spartan Speaker Series
Since 2016, the Spartan Speaker Series has brought distinguished authors, critics, scientists, activists, and artists to the SJSU campus to explore and discuss critical issues shaping our society and impacting students today. The series highlights a broad range of perspectives and diverse voices, encouraging dialogue, reflection, and learning within the Spartan community.
Fall 2025 Spartan Speaker Series
Monday, October 27 - Natalie Nakase
Event Location: Student Union Ballrooms
Can't make it in person? Register here for the Zoom webinar.
Time: 6:00pm
Natalie Nakase led the Golden State Valkyries to 23 regular season wins during its inaugural year, a WNBA single-season record by an expansion team, and also became the first-ever expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in their inaugural season. Nakase took the helm of the Valkyries following over 16 years of coaching professional basketball, including 10 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, and three seasons as first assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces, where they won the WNBA Championship in back-to-back seasons, in 2022 & 2023. Nakase was a walk-on women’s basketball player at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1998-2003, where she played her way into the starting lineup and served as team captain for three seasons. A native of Los Angeles, she graduated with her bachelor of science in psychology.
Submit a question for the Q&A here!
For event accommodations, reach out to Student Involvement at getinvolved@sjsu.edu or at (408)-924-5950.
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Julian Castro |
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Janelle James |
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Stephanie Hsu |
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Stephanie Beatriz |
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Ibram X. Kendi |
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Wilson Cruz |
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Kendrick Sampson |
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Jenny Slate |
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Roy Choi |
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Ashley Park |
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Xiuhtezcatl Martinez |
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Dolores Huerta |
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Tara Houska |
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Angie Thomas |
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Stephanie Land |
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Yara Shahidi |
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Eugene Lee Yang |
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Nikole Hannah-Jones |
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Gabby Rivera |
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Simu Liu |
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Leah Thomas |
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Janet Mock |
