News and Announcements
Early one rainy morning in March, more than 25 SFSU students departed together from campus for an all-day field trip to Mendocino County. Covering over 300 miles round trip, the excursion gave a School of Design class a hands-on view of the combative relationship between bull kelp and predatory sea urchins, teaming with The Nature Conservancy to design solutions restoring their natural habitat.
As the shoreline came into the horizon near the end of the bus trip up north, the wet weather suddenly turned sunny, clearing the way for a bright day of visits to the Noyo Center for Marine Science, the Mendocino Art Center, art galleries and studios and Portuguese Beach. Late in the afternoon, the bus turned around, reaching SFSU for drop-off after dark.
“It was exhausting, but inspiring and invigorating,” student Jonathan Blythe said. “It put the wind in our sails.”
The “Product Design II” class, offered in two sections, is dedicated this semester to developing new, sustainable ways to solve a problem on the North Coast tinted by climate-change: overpopulated sea urchins are preying on the bull kelp, destroying the ecosystem. Research by The Nature Conservancy finds that 96% of the kelp forest have disappeared in 10 years.
The students’ group projects have discovered a range of innovations. Blythe’s group is developing sea-wall traps to reintroduce more starfish into the Pacific Ocean near kelp restoration sites, where the starfish can prey on the sea urchin.
“I’ve always been interested in sustainable materials. This class has been a crash course in it,” said Blythe, a graduate student in Design. “It’s been helpful to gain the experience of bringing a product to fruition, by that means, that is less harmful to the planet.”
Another student, Huan Chang, is in a group creating an aquaculture system that converts the atmospheric carbon dioxide within sea urchins into calcium carbonate, which wineries can use in the fermentation process with efficiency and ecological sustainability. The group adds that uni, the edible portion of the urchin used to make sushi and other delicacies, makes a delightful pairing with wine.
“For the field trip, we prepared ahead of time what we needed to bring, what kinds of questions we should ask and how we can do field research,” Chang said. “It really excited me because talking with your classmates and the professors is quite different from what you feel and what you learn on site, especially from the scientists, the divers and the specialists in the field. It’s a totally different experience.”
The opportunity to conduct fieldwork attracted Design graduate student Blane Asrat to take “Product Design II” as an elective.
“We were able to examine the holdfasts of the bull kelp attached to the rocks. That attachment to the rocks and to the ocean floor was a significant part of our research,” she said. “Being able to see that in real life and pull the bull kelp apart from the rock and realizing it’s not coming off. Whatever adhesion that this is producing in nature is so strong that it’s almost fused.”
Student Damani “Phesto Dee” Thompson focused on documenting the day through sketches and photographs. As a platinum-selling recording artist with the Souls of Mischief and Hieroglyphics, he has traveled the world for decades, but from this field trip gained a deep appreciation for kelp and its importance in the ecosystem.
“Design is a roadmap for solving problems,” said Thompson, an Industrial Design major. “We’re dealing with the problem of the loss of the kelp along the coast, so they’ve contacted us as designers — not to make something cute and beautiful, but to figure out some kind of solution thinking outside the box.”
The course instructor, Assistant Professor Fernando F.S. Carvalho, aims to give students a deeper understanding of design processes and connect them with science. He has been impressed by the student groups for their confidence and ambition in engaging with scientific literature to develop products.
“They are incorporating science into their learning,” said Carvalho, noting many of the students are studying for a Bachelor of Science degree. “It will take them to the next level.”
Design Lecturer Faculty Josie Iselin (MFA, ’94) serves as a partner to the class through her ocean literacy campaign Above/Below.
“It’s been transforming,” Iselin said. “You really see the growth of the students.”
For the third straight year, one group from the class will travel to New York City in June to compete in the BioDesign Challenge, an annual international competition promoting integrated design, innovation and biotechnology. Funding from the MillerKnoll Foundation, SF State’s Institute for Civic and Community Engagement and donor Richard Ingalls have supported the class.
Tristin McHugh, the kelp project director for The Nature Conservancy’s California Oceans Program, gave an in-person presentation during the field trip at a major restoration site in Fort Bragg.
“I was really impressed with how bright and interested the students were. They showed up to the challenge,” she said. “They will have a very direct application in solving this problem now.”
Learn more about the SFSU School of Design.
Photo by Damani “Phesto Dee” Thompson
The Division of Graduate Studies and Career Development and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs congratulate all 10 SFSU students for advancing to the 39th annual CSU Student Research Competition, held at Cal Poly Humboldt on April 25 – 26.
SFSU winners:
- Behavioral, Social Sciences and Public Administration: Nathan Burns (graduate)
- Biological and Agricultural Sciences: Liliana Pruett (graduate)
- Business, Economics and Hospitality Management: Janel Anderson (graduate)
- Education: Jose Torres (undergraduate)
- Engineering and Computer Science: Naisarg Halvadiya (graduate)
- Engineering and Computer Science: Denise Steffen (undergraduate)
- Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences: Patrick Bialy (graduate)
- Humanities and Letters: Pati Shojaee (graduate)
- Interdisciplinary: Alexander Whittlesey (graduate)
- Physical and Mathematical Sciences: Marcello Garbo (undergraduate)
Four SFSU students earned first or second place in their respective categories. They competed against hundreds of students across the CSU, demonstrating innovation, academic excellence, creativity and a commitment to shared social justice values and graduate education for the public good.
- First place, Biological and Agricultural Sciences: Liliana Pruett, M.S., Biology (Psychology and Behavior Biology): “Transgenerational plasticity as a mechanism of heatwave adaptation in Petrolisthes cinctipes.” Faculty mentor: Jonathon Stillman.
- First place, Humanities and Letters: Pati Shojaee, M.A., English (Linguistics): “From Hollywood and Beyond: How Meaning is Made of Gaslighting in Online Discourse.”Faculty mentor: Teresa Pratt.
- First place, Physical and Mathematical Sciences: Marcello Garbo, B.S., Chemistry: “Advancing Near-Infrared Quantum Dots: Safer Synthesis and Tailored Performance for Optoelectronics and Imaging.” Faculty mentor: Michael Enright.
- Second place, Health, Nutrition and Clinical Sciences: Patrick Bialy, M.S., Kinesiology:“Beyond Muscle and Bone: Unravelling Tendon Nanostructure after Spaceflight.” Faculty mentor: James Bagley.
The Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications (SMC) hosted an “SFSU Brand Story” town hall meeting on April 30. The event, held in Library 121, drew approximately 80 employees from across campus to learn about the University’s new brand positioning and visual identity. The event emphasized the collective role of the campus community in telling the SFSU story with consistency and impact.
Marketing and branding agency Ologie led a morning presentation that explored the updated messaging, colors, fonts and other core identity elements designed to unify and strengthen the University’s communications under the theme “Brighter Here.” In the afternoon, attendees focused on applying the new branding guidelines to writing and design.
Materials reflecting the new brand will begin appearing immediately across University communications. SMC has also launched a messaging and visual identity web page where you will find detailed brand identity resources, including sample messaging, photography, design elements and color palettes. Anyone who’d like an at-a-glance PDF overview of the new branding and guidelines can request one by emailing SMC at marcomm@sfsu.edu.
Winners of the Exemplary Teaching Awards will be honored at the Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CEETL) Teaching Awards ceremony on Monday, May 5, at 3:30 p.m. in Library 121.
Winners:
- Esther Chan, lecturer faculty in English Language and Literature
- Sanika Doolani, assistant professor of Computer Science
- Xue Han, associate professor of Finance
- Martha Kenney, associate professor/chair of Women and Gender Studies
- Alyssa Kubota, assistant Professor of Computer Engineering
- Eric Lamm, professor of Management
- Shuyi Liu, assistant professor of Psychology
- Mahmood Monshipouri, professor of International Relations
- Ponipate Rokolekutu, assistant professor of Critical Pacific Islands and Oceania Studies
- Michelle Sinapuelas, assistant professor of Chemistry
- Saskia Van Kampen, associate professor of Visual Communication Design
- Joan Wong, lecturer faculty in English Language and Literature
SF State’s 124th Commencement ceremony at Oracle Park is on Friday, May 23 — less than a month away. Thursday, May 8, is the deadline to sign up to be a faculty marshal and play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth procession, organization and overall success of this event. Transportation up to $40 will be reimbursed.
Assignments will be 1:30 – 9:30 p.m. As in years past, all faculty marshals are asked to attend an informational training in late May via Zoom for their assignment.
Many assignments involve large amounts of walking and standing. To request accommodations, please note them on the sign-up form under “Questions or requests.”
For questions or more information, please email Ken Maeshiro at kmaeshir@sfsu.edu.
SF State’s 124th Commencement ceremony will be held Friday, May 23, at Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. To register as an ambassador for this event, the deadline to sign up is Thursday, May 8. Transportation up to $40 will be reimbursed.
All ambassadors at the event will receive an SF State beanie. Your support will help make this a special event creating lasting memories for graduating students, their friends and family members.
As an ambassador, you will play a vital role, ensuring the smooth execution of the ceremony and contributing to the atmosphere of pride and joy.
Shifts are 1:30 – 9:30 p.m. As in years past, all ambassadors are asked to receive approval from their supervisor and attend an informational training via Zoom in late May for their assignment.
Many assignments involve large amounts of walking and standing. To request accommodations, please note them on the sign-up form under “Questions or requests.”
For questions, please email Dania Russell at drussell@sfsu.edu.
This is an open call for papers, presentations, panels, roundtables, teach-ins and workshops for “Rights and Wrongs: A Constitution and Citizenship Day Conference” at SF State. The conference provides opportunities to gather, teach, and learn with colleagues, collaborators, and comrades, along with activists, advocates, students, and community members from SFSU, the Bay Area, and elsewhere. The annual event will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 17 – Thursday, Sept. 18.
Proposals on multiple topics related to rights, wrongs, constitutional law, legal citizenship and social change are welcome. This year the History Department is especially interested in presentations related to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the conflicts about U.S. history that have arisen during 2025 and the federal government’s new approaches to history education, historical commemoration and public history.
Proposals of 250 words or less are due by Friday, June 13. For more information or to submit a proposal, please email conference coordinator Marc Stein at marcs@sfsu.edu.
The SF State Academic Senate will meet on Tuesday, May 6, 2 – 5 p.m., via Zoom for its 15th meeting of the academic year.
- Recommendation from Executive Committee in first reading:
- Resolution in Support of Gator Groceries at SF State
- Resolution Commending President Mahoney for American Association of Colleges and Universities Letter
- Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee in first reading:
- Policy on Student College Advisory Committees
- Resolution Calling for Mentorship Task Force in Support of Student Success
- Recommendation from the Faculty Affairs Committee in second reading:
- Resolution Supporting Equitable Service for Lecturer Faculty
- Revision to Retention, Tenure and Promotion Policy #S24-241
- Recommendation from the Strategic Issues Committee in second reading:
- Proposed Revision to the Academic Freedom Policy #F13-267
- Recommendation from Student Affairs Committee in second reading:
- Resolution Calling for a Report on the Instruction of Reading and Writing
- Resolution in Support of Student Parent Success at San Francisco State University
- Recommendation from Academic Policies Committee in second reading:
- Revision to Policy on Requirements for Graduate Students #S21-295
- Revision to Course Syllabus Policy #S24-257
The Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CEETL) invites the campus community to a semester-end pet therapy session. The event is on Wednesday, May 7, at noon outside of the J. Paul Leonard Library main doors (close to Peet’s Coffee). The San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Animals will provide the pets.
RSVPs are preferred, but drop-ins are welcome. Please RSVP via Qualtrics for the pet therapy session.
Please visit the CEETL website for future “We Wednesday” events.
The School of Theatre and Dance presents its Musical Theatre Workshop, an investigation of acting through song, from Monday, May 5 – Wednesday, May 7, at 4 p.m. in the Little Theatre, Creative Arts building.
Students in the class for this performance choose their own material to work on throughout the semester. Their parameters for choosing material: the song must offer a substantive acting challenge. A range of singing actors take this class, from very experienced musicians to actors who may be singing for the first time. In all their work, the focus is on the story being told, and how they work musically to best tell that story.
Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Please visit University Tickets for tickets to the Musical Theatre Workshop.
Photo by Audrey Degon
The College of Ethnic Studies and Latina/o Studies Department, in collaboration with the J. Paul Leonard Library, present a book talk introducing “AFROfeminista: Raza y Mujer en Puerto Rico” by Bárbara I. Abadía-Rexach, associate professor of Latina/o Studies. The event will be held Wednesday, May 7, 4 – 6 p.m., in Library 286. It will be in Spanish and English.
This book chronicles the lived experiences of visibly Black women in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rican scholars Talía Guzmán-González and Eileene Tejada will join Abadía-Rexach to discuss the themes and issues in the book.
Staff are invited to the last Staff Forum of the spring semester on Wednesday, May 7, 10 – 11 a.m., via Zoom. All SFSU staff, except management personnel plan employees and faculty, are encouraged to attend.
Hosted by Human Resources, this meeting will include remarks from President Lynn Mahoney and updates on the University’s new “Brighter Here” visual identity and the website content redesign project from Strategic Marketing and Communications.
To opt into all meetings and for the Zoom link, please RSVP via Qualtrics.
ChatGPT Day is a hands-on event designed for students, faculty and staff to spark curiosity and creativity around artificial intelligence and explore what’s possible with ChatGPT and learn how peers are using it to teach, learn and build. It will be held Wednesday, May 7, 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., in Library 280.
The day includes interactive sessions, live demos, and conversations with the OpenAI team.
The “Generative AI for Visual Design” course offers an exploration of visual generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools for image and design generation. It will be held Wednesday, May 7, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., via Zoom.
Participants will gain a primer on visual GenAI tools, considerations for using GenAI and some best practices for creating effective and accessible designs. Through hands-on activities, participants will develop skills in crafting descriptive prompts and selecting appropriate visual styles to generate unique images using Adobe Firefly. Additionally, they will learn how to generate visual elements to be incorporated into designs using Adobe Express.
This course is required to receive a digital badge for the AI Literacy Education Program.
Please visit the AI website to register for the “Generative AI for Visual Design” course.
Please join the English Language and Literature Department for the 15th biannual English Department Graduate Student Conference on Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., in Humanities 485.
Each semester, the department hosts this event to showcase the work of its M.A. students, representing the disciplines in graduate programs: M.A. in English (Composition, Linguistics, TESOL) and M.A. in Literatures.
The School of Theatre and Dance presents Fringe Festival 2025, a festival of new short plays written by students, Thursday, May 8 – Saturday, May 10, in The Lab, Creative Arts 104.
Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Please visit University Tickets for tickets to Fringe Festival 2025.
Photo: Martin Solano (left) and Juleanne Millan Antunez. Photo by K’Zhane McGill.
Faculty and staff are invited to help recognize SF State students who will be studying abroad during the summer and next academic year. The Division of International Education holds a study abroad ceremony on Friday, May 9, 3 – 5 p.m., in the Student Life Event Center (Annex I). Doors open at 2:30 p.m.
This is the final sendoff for students who will participate in a CSU International Program or an SF State Exchange Program.
The campus community is invited to join the Graduate College of Education for its final roundtable presentation of the semester on Thursday, May 13 at 1 p.m., via Zoom. Gloria Soto, professor of Special Education and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, will present “Communication is a Right: Thirty Years of Collaborative Research for Linguistic Justice and Communication Equity for Individuals with Communication Disabilities.”
At Dance Workshop 2025, the School of Theatre and Dance presents experimental works in progress on Tuesday, May 13, at 3 p.m. in The Studio (Creative Arts 102. The event features collaborative performance work by dancers and choreographers enrolled in Dance Theatre Workshop.
Admission is free, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Please visit University Tickets for tickets to Dance Workshop 2025.
Photo: Asha Quibilan, Bella Garcia, Sierra Beaver, Madison Miller, Paulina Cosgalla, Gabriela Encinas-Aguilar, Gianna Perey and Jhon Kabiling. Photo by Cyrah L. Ward.
The Health Equity Institute’s Student Scholar Program pairs graduate students with faculty mentors to collaborate on health equity research projects during the spring semester. Eight student scholars will present at a research showcase on Thursday, May 15, 3 – 3:55 p.m., in HSS 371.
SF State Spotlight
Assistant Professor of Cinema Mihaela Mihailova participated in a workshop titled “Cultural Politics of the Computational Image,” hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Global Mediations Lab in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on April 25 – 26. Her talk, “Deepfakes in/as Critical Computational Art Practice,” explores the representational strategies, critical interventions and activist discourses facilitated by deepfakes in the work of global multimedia creators, including Singaporean documentarian Charmaine Poh, German-Iraqi conceptual media artist Nora Al-Badri and British-Tamil contemporary artist Christopher Kulendran Thomas.