July 2026

Staff Council Ice Cream Social

Save the date for the Fall Welcome

Register to attend the 2026 Staff Council Ice Cream Social! All stateside and auxiliary staff including MPPs are invited! Join us for an afternoon of ice cream, conversation, and community

RSVP Here

July Issue

SpartanMessenger is on a once-monthly cadence for the summer months of June and July. Weekly newsletter publication will resume August 11, 2026. All colleges, divisions and departments and their respective communicators and stakeholders are to coordinate directly with University Marketing and Communications to support this change and to ensure strategic outreach to employees during the summer months. This is NOT an excuse to return to spamming employee inboxes with standalone emails. As fewer personnel are work and on-campus during the summer months and there is a reduction in campus events and programming, this pause in regular newsletter cadence supports the calmer campus environment and respects time and space for reflection as all teams prepare for the next academic year.

Contact UMC

Action Items

Faculty and Staff Fall Welcome Address

Mon., Aug. 17, 3-5 p.m.

This event is now at capacity. If you are unable to attend, kindly find your confirmation email and cancel your registration to allow other faculty or staff on the waitlist to attend. The President thanks you for your enthusiasm and looks forward to gathering for community and celebration.

Your Best Commute Starts Here

The start of the semester doesn’t have to start with parking woes. Enjoy our new transportation options from the VTA SmartPass for employees, discounted (by half!) permits for South Garage and enhancements to shuttle frequency.

Volunteers Needed: Move-In Weekend

Aug. 15-16

Be the first warm welcome to our new housing residents by volunteering when you can between Aug. 15 to 16. Earn some volunteer hours, meet new people, and experience the joy of welcoming families and their students from around the country and world!  

Be Tech Ready for Fall 2026

Start the semester with confidence. The SJSU ITS checklist highlights simple steps to help you be technology ready for Fall 2026.

Fall 2026 Course Prep Marathon

As you get your classes ready for the fall semester, the team of the Center for Faculty Excellence and Teaching Innovation (CFETI) invites you to participate in the online Course Prep Marathon on Thursday, August 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

IT Wifi Recertification

When reconnecting to eduroam on campus, you will be prompted to “accept” the WiFi certification on your device. This is needed to ensure SJSU’s security posture is maintained and all connected devices are securely connected to the internet.

AI @ SJSU Academic Affairs Update: July 17, 2026

For updates on AI initiatives at SJSU - AI @ SJSU Academic Affairs Update: July 17, 2026

2025-2026 MPP Annual Evaluations due September 15

For any process-related questions, we invite you to attend our open lab session Monday, August 17 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  

Events and Announcements

Ticketsatwork

TicketsatWork Employee Savings

Whether you're wrapping up summer adventures, preparing for back-to-school, or planning your fall activities, TicketsatWork has exclusive savings for you to spend less and enjoy more.

SAP Concur is LIVE!

As of August 1, SAP Concur is now the university's official system for travel, expense reimbursements, and Payment Card Expense (ProCard and/or Travel Card) management.

Advising Locations Updated

Undergraduate Advising and Success advising has moved to college Student Success Centers. Refer students to the Student Success Centers directory for current advising locations and services.  

Benefits Fair

2026 Benefits & Services Fair

The 2026 Employee Benefits and Services Fair is Thursday, September 17, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, featuring CalPERS providers, SJSU Benefits representatives, and campus and community vendors.  

AdobeSign Phased Migration to Begin

IT will implement a series of technology improvements that support the university's academic mission and long-term sustainability. The first of these changes will be the transition to AdobeSign from DocuSign.

Writing Center Support

Learn about the Writing Center's faculty services to help support your students, including in-class workshop requests, tours, generative AI resources, and course-embedded tutoring.

Kickoff the Semester Right

Student Involvement and friends are ready to bring back the energy with their annual Weeks-of-Welcome Kickoff taking place on August 24th from 11am to 2pm on 7th Street Plaza

Hammer2 Gallery "Texturescape"

Hammer 2 Gallery

Experience a rotating display featuring work from local artists and San José State University alumni at Hammer 2 Gallery's new show "Texturescapes"! Join us July 18th through November 3rd.

Columbia Emplyee DIscount

Columbia Employee Discounts

 SJSU employees are invited to shop at the Richmond or Union City Columbia Sportswear Employee Store for their up to 60% off annual summer sales.

Zoom Web UI Simplification

Tomorrow, the Zoom website will display a simpler navigation.

DiNapoli Gallery with a sign that says "exhibit here"

Exhibit at DiNapoli Gallery

Elevate your vision by exhibiting at the DiNapoli Gallery in the King Library. Viewed by hundreds of visitors a day, submit your proposal to be seen! Learn more at library.sjsu.edu/dinapoli

SJSU Alumni Tailgate @ USC

Join fellow San José State University alumni for a pregame celebration as we gather together before the Spartans take on the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Construction Updates

Reminder of any ongoing impacts related to the City of San Jose work along San Fernando that could impact North Garage. Check here for the latest updates.

Carolyn Yucha, CHHS

Dr. Carolyn Yucha, pronounced “Yu-ha,” has been appointed as the Interim Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, effective August 31. Dr. Yucha will serve in this role for a one-year appointment, providing continuity and stability for the college as we conduct a national search for its next permanent dean.

Harly Neumann, P&C

Harly Neumann, Ph.D., has been appointed as San José State University's inaugural Vice President for People and Culture. He began his new role on August 10.

Leadership Announcements, Developments and Transitions

Shawn Whalen, Chief of Staff and interim Vice President for People and Culture

June 1, 2026

As the search for the inaugural Vice President for People and Culture continues, Shawn Whalen has been serving as Interim Vice President since June 1, while continuing as Chief of Staff to the President.

Crist Khachikian, Vice President for Research and Innovation and Dean of the College of Graduate Studies

July 27, 2026

Crist S. Khachikian will serve as the new Vice President for Research and Innovation and dean of the College of Graduate Studies, effective July 27. 

Dr. Shelley Cargill, interim Dean of the College of Science

July 1, 2026

Dr. Shelley Cargill, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success will serve as Interim Dean of the College of Science starting July 1.

Shonda Goward

June 2026

Transition: Shonda Goward, Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Student Success to Join CSU Chancellor’s Office

Jesse Ramírez

May 4, 2026

Announcement: Jesse Ramírez assumed the role of Director of New Student and Family Programs, Division of Academic Affairs.

Lucy Serrato-Lager

May 25, 2026

Announcement: Lucy Serrato-Lager assumed the role of Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Division of Academic Affairs.

Jennifer Corgiat

June 1, 2026

Announcement: Jennifer Corgiat assumed the role of Associate Vice President for University Budget and Financial Strategy, Division of Administration and Finance.

Twinki Mistry

June 15, 2026

Announcement: Twinki Mistry assumed the role of Associate Vice President for Enterprise Applications, Division of Information Technology.

Dr. Randall Fullington

July 1, 2026

Announcement: Dr. Randall Fullington will assume the role of Vice Provost for Academic Innovation, Division of Academic Affairs.

Faculty and Staff Spotlight

Faculty Spotlight:Melissa Beresford

SJSU-Led Study Finds Household Water Insecurity Persists Across California Despite Human Right to Water Policies. Associate Professor of Anthropology Melissa Beresford developed the household water insecurity survey module with a multi-institutional research team.

Nhi Nguyen

Staff SpotlightNhi Nguyen / Entire group

Thank you to everyone for attending our #AdoptAI celebration! We honored grand prize winner Nhi Nguyen, highlighted inspiring campus AI workflows, reviewed positive program feedback, and previewed Fall 2026 plans.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Staff Spotlight:Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Go behind the scenes with Men’s Head Coach Simon Tobin and Women’s Head Coach Sonia Curvelo as they share insights, strategy, and what drives success in Spartan Soccer.

SJSU NewsCenter Featured Stories

Attendees pose for a group shot for the College of Science Research Day

SJSU Student Research Day Showcases Student Projects Across Multiple Disciplines

At the 21st annual Student Research Day, around 250 College of Science students shared discoveries spanning everything from quantum states to astrobiology. Founded by longtime SJSU chemistry professor Roy Okuda, the event has grown from 36 posters in 2005 into one of the university’s largest celebrations of student research.

Money Magazine

Money Magazine Gives SJSU Five Stars in the Best Colleges in America Rankings For the Second Consecutive Year

For the second consecutive year, Money Magazine has awarded SJSU its highest rank — five stars.

Daily Deals at Nirvana Soul MLK

Spartan Scoop: Nirvana Soul Daily Deals

Daily deals are brewing at Nirvana Soul! Stop by the King Library location for rotating specials on your favorite drinks and bites, available everyday Monday through Friday until Aug. 1.