October 13, 2025

News and Announcements

SFSU Student in Lab

Elmer Guzman didn’t always see himself as a researcher. A first-generation Chemistry senior at SFSU, he wasn’t sure he belonged in a lab until this summer, when he became one of the first Gilead Innovation Initiative Scholars. 

“It makes me feel proud of myself,” Guzman said. “Just seeing the recognition and knowing that there are opportunities trying to help students who are new to research makes me feel like there is a future to these things.” 

Guzman is one of 30 student scientists who made up the first cohort of the Gilead Innovation Initiative at SFSU. The Gilead Foundation generously gifted $1.25 million in programmatic support to SFSU’s College of Science & Engineering (CoSE) via two awards during fundraising for the University’s new Science and Engineering Innovation Center (SEIC). In addition to supporting student research activities, the foundation also provided $3.75 million to outfit SEIC labs with state-of-the-art equipment and furnishings

The Gilead Innovation Scholars — 11 undergraduate and 19 graduate students — were awarded $5,000 stipends to conduct research between June 1 and August 23. (Faculty members were also awarded a $1,000 honorarium for mentoring the scholars). Many of the student awardees were first-time researchers as well as students who had never received financial support for working in research labs.  

The Gilead award is unique in that it is inclusive of research activities throughout CoSE. It included at least one student from each of the eight CoSE departments and schools, supporting the training of astronomers, biologists, chemists, computer scientists, engineers, geologists, mathematicians, physicists, psychologists and others. Projects ranged from molecular biology and ecology to nanoparticles, artificial intelligence, youth psychology and many other topics in science and engineering. 

‘I’m moving in the right direction’ 

Guzman spent the summer in Associate Professor Jingjing Qiu’s lab, exploring chemistry and renewable energy. He is testing the stability of gold and nickel in electrodes for the electrochemical oxidation of benzyl alcohol. His work could one day help make industrial chemical processes more sustainable. But for him, the more immediate outcome was confidence.  

“I definitely see myself going down this route, trying to pursue higher education and keep doing research,” he said. He’s already presented his work on campus and is excited to continue this work and possibly attend an external scientific conference later this year. 

As Guzman pushed the boundaries of renewable energy in the lab, Lilly Raphaelian was outdoors gathering clues about a new avian virus that could impact local bird ecology. As a second-year Cellular and Molecular Biology master’s student, she studies Russian Doll Virus (aka Matryoshka virus), a virus that infects a parasite that infect birds — hence the Russian doll moniker. The parasite is the No. 1 killer of birds and is widespread in warmer climates.  

Beyond wanting to understand how the virus is impacting the parasite, she is also optimizing an imaging technique (RNAscope) to detect the virus in blood smears. The technique is typically done with tissue samples, but her approach is safer for birds.  

There are a lot of unknowns and challenges, Raphaelian explains, but the experience has been rewarding. She considers this her first proper research experience — “[The Gilead award] is my first grant ever!” she added excitedly — and in just one year she’s written proposals and grants, learned research skills, created posters, given scientific presentations, taught students in and out of the classroom and collaborated with local and international scientists.  

“It feels like I’m moving in the right direction,” Raphaelian said, noting she wants to become a professor. “I hope to achieve many more grants in my lifetime. It’s making me feel like I’m capable and I’m supposed to be here.” 

‘There’s an astrophysicist that looks like me!’ 

A Ph.D.-bound grad student like Raphaelian, Gabriel Munoz Zarazua was always fascinated by the mysteries of the universe. But he didn’t always think he could be an astrophysicist. Thanks to his own perseverance and support from mentors (and the Gilead Foundation), he’s now an SFSU astrophysicist collaborating with researchers all over the nation.  

Working with Physics and Astronomy Assistant Professor Eileen Gonzales, Munoz Zarazua is studying the formation of Ross 458 c, a brown dwarf planet that orbits a binary star system. Although they form like stars, brown dwarfs lack the mass to radiate starlight so they fall somewhere between a star and a giant planet.  

To better understand Ross 458 c, Munoz Zarazua is using data from the James Web Space Telescope (JWST) to examine the object’s atmosphere. It could offer new insights into how this brown dwarf formed and help define and compare brown dwarfs, planets and stars. 
Munoz Zarazua is also part of a larger scientific collaboration with scientists from all over the country. He meets with the group every few weeks and has interacted with collaborators at scientific conferences. The experience has been invaluable because these collaborators may become future colleagues or mentors during his Ph.D. or later in his career. 

Despite his passion for astronomy research, Munoz Zarazua was hesitant to commit to this path. Earlier in his career, he didn’t think he had the necessary math skills and was discouraged by the lack of scientists who looked like him.  

“Now I’m starting to see more. I just got back from a conference in Washington, D.C., and we talked about that,” he explained. “It was so amazing to meet other people that look like me. I want to be that for other students, for the next generation. For them to look up and think, ‘There’s an astrophysicist that looks like me. If they can do it, I can do it too.’”  

Learn more about SFSU’s College of Science & Engineering. 

SFSU campus walking path "Commuter Hill"

For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal has put SFSU on its list of the top 25 universities in the country for social mobility — basically, how well schools help their students create better futures for themselves and their families. It’s recognition of something SF State has always been about: opening doors and creating opportunity. 

The ranking is part of the annual Wall Street Journal/College Pulse “Best Colleges in America” list, which looks at nearly 600 schools nationwide. SFSU has landed in the top 25 for social mobility two years running, showing the lasting impact of an SFSU degree. 

So what exactly is “social mobility”? In higher ed, it’s the measure of how well a college helps students — especially those from families without much financial security — move into higher-paying careers and improve their economic situation. At SFSU, that idea is more than a statistic. It’s a mission rooted in access, equity and student success. 

You can see it in the numbers: 32% of SF State students are the first in their families to go to college, and 58% receive financial aid. For many, getting a degree here is not just a milestone — it’s a life-changer. 

“SFSU was founded on the principle that higher education should change lives,” said SFSU President Lynn Mahoney. “Social mobility isn’t just a ranking for us — it’s the very heart of what we do. We help students gain the skills and confidence to transform their lives, their families’ futures and the communities they go on to serve.” 

One alum who demonstrates that is Jessie Peterson (B.A., ’14). Peterson entered SFSU as a former foster youth and joined the Guardian Scholars program, which gave her housing, scholarships, mentoring and, as she puts it, “a family.” Today she’s an appellate criminal defense attorney at the Office of the State Public Defender, fighting for dignity and fairness in the justice system. 

“I knew that if I went to SFSU, I’d be supported,” Peterson said. “I just didn’t know how much!” 

Peterson’s story (told in the latest issue of SF State Magazine) is just one example of how students’ futures get brighter at SFSU — and why the University continues to be recognized as a national leader in social mobility. 

a brown colored star named Wolf 1130C

Astronomers detected phosphine in the atmosphere of Wolf 1130C, a cool, ancient brown dwarf in the star system WOLF 1130ABC. Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy Eileen Gonzales is part of the collaborative research team led by University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Professor Adam Burgasser. Their findings are published in Science

Understanding Wolf 1130C’s atmosphere could lead to new insight into the synthesis of phosphorus in the Milky Way and its chemistry in planetary atmospheres. Phosphorous is one of the six key elements necessary for life on Earth and phosphine (a molecule combining phosphorus and hydrogen) is a possible biosignature for organisms that don’t require oxygen. On Earth, it’s a byproduct of decaying organic swamp matter. 

Data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) indicated the presence of phosphine in Wolf 1130C’s atmosphere, but detection in other brown dwarfs has been limited. This has puzzled scientists because they’ve long hypothesized the presence of this molecule in the atmosphere of gas giants orbiting other stars and brown dwarfs. 

“To determine the abundances of molecules in Wolf 1130C, I used a modeling technique known as atmospheric retrievals,” explained Gonzales in the UCSD press release. “This technique uses the JWST data to back out how much of each molecular gas species should be in the atmosphere. It’s like reverse engineering a really delicious cookie when the chef wouldn’t give up the recipe.” 

Gonzales’ model confirmed the presence of phosphine at predicted theoretical abundances. The authors pose a few possible explanations to why phosphine is present in the atmosphere of Wolf1130C but lacking in other comparable atmospheres. One possibility is that Wolf 1130C’s low abundance of metals in its atmosphere may change its underlying chemistry. Another possibility is that phosphorus was generated in the Wolf 1130ABC system by white dwarf Wolf 1130B. 

Photo by Adam Burgasser 

Julie Paulson, professor of English Language and Literature, and Mayumi Hagiwara, associate professor of Special Education, have been awarded grants totaling over $1 million to help support the SFSU Inclusion Pilot Project

  • Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Disabilities (TPSID): This project brings together CSUN Explorers at CSU Northridge and the Inclusion Pilot Project into a collaborative model. Together, these programs will demonstrate a scalable, sustainable, cross-campus approach to inclusive post-secondary education, expanding access to integrated academic, career and community experiences. Grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with TPSID priorities, the model embeds person-centered planning, peer mentorship, universal design for learning, career development and CSU-recognized credentials into institutional structures. It also expands inclusive housing and supported living options reflective of typical CSU student experiences. The Inclusion Pilot Project will receive $190,000 for five years. 
  • California Center for Inclusive College: The Inclusion Pilot Project will expand the capacity to serve students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through the development of new courses dedicated to inclusive and embedded academic and career training. It will also strengthen outreach to K – 12 students with IDD, their families, educators and community stakeholders by hosting events that highlight the achievements of IPP students as well as provide opportunities for other students with IDD to envision themselves being college students. This is a one-year grant for 75,000.

From identity theft to phishing and even cyberbullying, most of us will encounter cybercrime in our digital lives. Cybercriminals are tricky, like ghosts hiding in the shadows. Their scams can spook anyone, but falling for one is not a failure. The most important step is to report it. 

As Cybersecurity Awareness Month coincides with Halloween, remember shining a light on scams protects you and helps keep the SFSU community safe. 

If a cyber scam gives you a fright, do not face it alone. The Academic Technology and Information Technology Services teams are here to help you unmask the threat. Please report any suspicious emails or messages by using the phishing button in your email or by forwarding the message to abuse@sfsu.edu

The CSU CourseMatch program has released its call for proposals for the fall. Proposals are due by Friday, Oct. 17. 

Qualifying courses must be fully online and asynchronous undergraduate general education (upper or lower division) and have less than 15% repeatable grades (D, F, W, NC) from previous semesters. 

Please visit the Academic Technology website to learn more and submit your application. 

The nomination period for the special fall 2025 Staff Council elections opened on Oct. 6. Please consider nominating yourself or a colleague. There are vacancies for units 1, 2, and 5 – 9.  

The nomination period is Monday, Oct. 6 – Friday, Oct. 24. The voting period is Monday, Nov. 3 – Friday, Nov. 21.  

Please submit your nominations via Qualtrics.

Nominations for the 2026 distinguished faculty and staff awards are now open. These awards are an opportunity for our campus to recognize and honor outstanding tenured faculty, full-time lecturers and staff who have demonstrated significant, long-term contributions to the University and to their disciplines. The SFSU Foundation sponsors the awards.  

Please submit nominations via Qualtrics by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. 

If you have any questions, please email the members of the awards committee at senate@sfsu.edu.

Do you have an interest in incorporating climate change and/or climate justice into your pedagogy? Climate HQ supports climate justice teaching at SFSU through Climate Justice Faculty Learning Communities. Modeled on the Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning’s teaching squares, these communities will meet regularly throughout the semester to support each other and share best practices for teaching and learning focused on climate justice pedagogies. 

The Climate HQ Faculty Learning Communities will take place in spring 2026. Each community should consist of three to six faculty, staff or students. Both interdisciplinary groups and people within departments/disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

The communities should meet to work on their project for 10 hours over the course of the semester, using curated resources to create a proposed pedagogical outcome including: syllabus change, readings list, assignment/exercise, lectures, project-based collaboration between departments, community collaboration and/or organization of a Climate HQ event for campus. 

A $500 honorarium is provided. Apply by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. View the call for proposals for application instructions and examples of completed projects

For questions, please email Climate HQ Faculty Learning Communities coordinator Carolina Prado at carolinaprado@sfsu.edu.  

Are you interested in working on climate change/justice in your research, scholarship or creative activities? SFSU’s Climate HQ aims to strengthen climate justice teaching, research and outreach on campus. Climate HQ supports efforts to mitigate climate change and to address climate impacts through interdisciplinary mini-grants that bring researchers from different fields together to address climate justice goals. 

These one-time mini-grants will seed and support interdisciplinary research, scholarship and creative activities. Three to six grants between $5,000 and $14,000 each will be awarded (award period is January – December 2026). Applications are sought from teams comprised of at least two people who specialize in different disciplines, including at least one tenured/tenure-track faculty. 

The mini-grants’ goals are to: 

  • support faculty members incorporating climate change/justice into their research, scholarly and creative activities for the first time 
  • deepen their inquiries into climate change/justice in a new way 
  • facilitate connections among faculty engaged in climate research, scholarship and creative activities across campus and in the community 

Apply by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Please visit the Climate HQ website for more information and to apply

For questions, please email Climate HQ Faculty Mini-Grants coordinator Carolina Prado at carolinaprado@sfsu.edu

The SFSU Academic Senate will meet Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2 – 5 p.m., via Zoom for its fourth meeting of the academic year. 

Agenda:  

  • The Executive Committee included an item on the consent agenda: 
    • Reapportionment of additional tenure/tenure-track senate seats 
  • The Campus Curriculum Committee included items on the consent agenda: 
    • M.S. Nursing: Psychiatric and Mental Health (Entry Level) 
    • M.S. Nursing: Psychiatric and Mental Health 
    • M.S. Nursing: Community Public Health (Entry Level) 
    • M.S. Nursing: Community Public Health 
    • M.S. Nursing: Women’s Health CNS (Entry Level) 
    • M.S. Nursing: Women’s Health CNS 
  • Recommendation from the Strategic Issues Committee in first reading: 
    • Resolution Recommending Enhancements to the University Budget Committee Charge and Implementation, No. RF25-XXX 
  • Recommendations from the Campus Curriculum Committee in first reading: 
    • Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Social Work: New program
    • Minor in Human Resource Management: New program
  • Recommendation from the Executive Committee in second reading: 
    • Revision to Policy on Assigned Time for Exceptional Levels of Service to Students, No. S18-271 
  • Recommendations from the Academic Policies Committee in second reading: 
    • Syllabus Policy to Enhance COVID-19 Communications, No. SU21-292, motion to rescind 
    • Policy for Articulation of Upper-Division and Lower-Division Courses, No. F00-149, motion to rescind 
    • Graduate Paired Courses, No. S20-126 
  • Recommendations from the Faculty Affairs Committee in second reading: 
    • Policy on By-Laws for Departments, Equivalent Units, and All Other Faculty Units that Offer Academic Degrees. No. F24-306 
  • Recommendations from the Campus Curriculum Committee in second reading: 
    • Minor in Artificial Intelligence for Business Applications: New program 
    • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science: Program revision 
    • Master of Public Administration (MPA): Distance education authorization 
    • Master of Arts in Gerontology: Revise to be an MPA concentration 
  • The Senate will hear presentations: 
    • Vice Chair Arezoo Islami: “Robert’s Rules: Point of Order and Point of Information” 
    • Carrie Holschuh: “Student Artificial Intelligence Advisory Group” (time approximate 3:45 – 4 p.m.) 
    • Mona Sagapolutele and Mary Menees: “Honors Convocation” (time approximate 4 – 4:15 p.m.) 

Expand your skills and connect with the SFSU community through October’s professional development and campus-wide events. Join experts for workshops, forums and campus activities designed to support your growth and wellbeing. 

Training and events: 

  • Monday, Oct. 13 – Friday, Oct. 17: Campus Safety Week 2025  
  • Tuesday, Oct. 14, 9 – 10 a.m.: “Communicating for Success: Tips and Tricks to Enhance Your Skills” 
  • Wednesday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. – noon: Campus Staff Forum 
  • Friday, Oct. 17, 11 a.m. – noon: “Preventing Identity Theft” 
  • Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: “A Culture of Connection: Finding Our Heartbeat Through Engagement and Belonging” 
  • Wednesday, Oct. 22, 10 – 11 a.m.: “Activating Your Leadership with Inclusive Values” 
  • Thursday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.: “The Accidental Project Manager" 
  • Thursday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. – noon: University Budget Committee meeting 

  • Tuesday, Oct. 28, 10 – 11:30 a.m.: “Increase Productivity with Microsoft OneNote” 

Please visit the SFSU Human Resources website for more information and to RSVP. 

The Department of Latina/Latino Studies presents “Madres que Luchan: Lorena Gutiérrez’s fight to end femicide in México” on Monday, Oct. 13, at 2:30 p.m. in Library 121. This talk will feature a sneak-preview of an upcoming documentary film about Gutiérrez’s story.  

Gutiérrez will share her story of losing her daughter Fátima, victim of feminicide at age 12. Despite struggling with corruption and many obstacles, she continues to fight for justice in her daughter’s case and to bring about an end to gender violence in Mexico. Over 10 years of work, she has become recognized as an exemplary voice for victims of feminicides in Mexico.   

Collaborating closely with the National Citizen Observatory for Feminicides, Gutiérrez has won significant victories in court. In May, she won a major ruling from the Mexican Supreme Court recognizing the rights of thousands of victims’ families across the country to receive reparations and restitution. This landmark decision expands the human rights of victims in one of the most dangerous countries for women and girls.   

Discover the world of immersive 360-degree video by exploring examples of both professional and student projects at the “360 Video Workshop” on Monday, Oct. 13, 4:30 – 6 p.m., in the Digital Media Studio and MakerSpace (Library 260). 

 Get hands-on experience with 360-degree video cameras and learn how to view immersive footage using virtual reality (VR) headsets. You’ll also learn how to check out and use the 360-degree video cameras available from the Digital Media Studio and MakerSpace, giving you access to the tools to create your own virtual reality content. 

Learn more and RSVP for the “360 Video Workshop” event.

Curious about artificial intelligence (AI)? Join us for “AI Commons: ChatGPT 101,” an informal, interactive session on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 10:30 a.m. in the Digital Media Studio and MakerSpace (Library 260). 

Explore ChatGPT basics, share tips for smarter use and answer your questions. Afterward, stick around for the AI lounge, an open space to chat, experiment and learn from each other. No experience needed; just bring your curiosity. 

Please visit the Academic Technology website for more information
 

The “AI Literacy Essentials: Introduction to Generative AI” course introduces generative artificial intelligence (AI) to those with little or no prior experience engaging with this emerging technology. It will be held Wednesday, Oct. 15, 10:30 a.m. – noon, via Zoom 

Participants obtain a foundational understanding of generative AI, its associated opportunities and implications, and basic strategies for composing and iterating prompts. Participants will be expected to engage in hands-on interaction with the Microsoft Copilot chatbot to begin generating practical outputs for personal and professional use cases. 

This course is an elective that counts toward receiving a digital badge for the AI Literacy Education Program

Please visit the AI website to learn more and register for the “Introduction to AI Essentials” course.  
 

The campus community is invited to join the Mindful Movement Meditation ongoing series on Wednesdays, 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., HSS 306. The sessions are led by Sonja Riket, a master somatic movement educator, Feldenkrais and body-mind centering teacher, somatic dance educator and lifelong dancer and meditator. 

The series is sponsored by the Institute for Holistic Health Studies in the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism. 

For more information, please email Richard Harvey at rharvey@sfsu.edu or call him at 949-413-8031.

Faculty will experience the serenity of a traditional Japanese tea ceremony with the Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CEETL) on Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Humanities 117. Sessions will be held at 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. 

This cultural event offers a unique opportunity to enjoy a peaceful tea-tasting experience and learn about the art of Japanese hospitality. Each of the three sessions will begin with a short workshop, where you will learn the basic etiquette of the tea ceremony. This will include instructions on how to drink a bowl of matcha and appreciate a tea bowl during the ceremony. 

Please visit the CEETL website for details and to register for the Japanese tea ceremony. 
 

Check out “3D Printing 101” on Thursday, Oct.16, 1 – 2 p.m., in the Digital Media Studio and MakerSpace (Library 260). Learn the basics of 3D printing and 3D modeling, from design in TinkerCAD to operating the Ultimaker 3 and Ultimaker S5 printers. 

Please visit the Academic Technology website to learn more and RSVP for the “3D Printing 101” event.

The “AI Literacy Essentials: Prompting for Practical Applications” course offers a focused exploration of prompting and iteration strategies for generative AI chatbots like Microsoft Copilot. It takes place Thursday, Oct. 16, 2 – 3:30 p.m., via Zoom  

Through collaborative, hands-on activities and interactive exercises, participants will learn to write clear and effective prompts, apply refinement techniques such as prompt chaining, and assess AI-generated outputs for accuracy and relevance. 

This course is required to receive a digital badge for the AI Literacy Education Program

Please visit the AI website to learn more and register for the “Prompting for Practical Applications” course. 
 

The Lam Larsen Initiative for Emerging Technologies presents a webinar, “AI in Higher Ed: What’s Changing and How to Build Better Assessment,” on Friday, Oct. 17, at noon. Tina Austin, an artificial intelligence (AI) strategist educator and lecturer at UCLA, will explore the biggest AI misconceptions holding educators back, where faculty often get AI wrong, the real impact on students and the top AI use cases and frameworks that actually work. 

Austin is a widely recognized thought leader in AI education, with over 12,000 followers on LinkedIn. She teaches AI ethics across biomedical research, computational biology and communication. Her work in integrating AI into teaching since 2022 has reshaped how educators approach bias, pedagogy and assessment. 

Please join the “AI in Higher Ed” webinar via Zoom (meeting ID: 818 7517 2828; passcode: 251472).  

Attend a virtual CalPERS education class to help you plan for retirement when you’re ready. 

Offered directly by CalPERS employees, it will be held Friday, Oct. 17, and Friday, Nov. 14, for CalPERS-eligible employees. 

Attend to learn about retirement types, calculation, payment options, online resources and more. To RSVP, log into your MyCalPERS account and find it under “Classes.” For questions about the class, please email ganner@sfsu.edu
 

Come meet the folks behind the funding. The Office of Student Financial Aid invites faculty and staff to an open house to learn more about how it helps students fund their SFSU journey. Stop by Student Services 302 between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. Say hello, grab a light snack, and join a quick game to get to know the faces behind the aid.  
 
 

Come visit the only marine lab on the San Francisco Bay. Everyone is invited to the annual Marine Lab Open House on Sunday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Estuary & Ocean Science Center at the Romberg Tiburon Campus. Admission and parking at the event are free.  

Dozens of the center’s scientists, students, and staff will answer questions about nature-based solutions to climate change, San Francisco Bay health and their favorite marine critters. The family-friendly event includes the popular touch tank, glimpses into active research projects and more.  

Please RSVP via Eventbrite for the Marine Lab Open House.  
 

Explore using personality quizzes as a teaching tool on Monday, Oct. 20, noon – 1 p.m., via Zoom. The Center for Equity and Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CEETL) will share and take teaching, learning and personality surveys together and discuss how these can be both self-reflective and for community-building in the classroom.  

Discover whether you’re a rabbit, hawk, turtle, or tiger — and how you and your students can best utilize your animal strengths to achieve academic success. 

Please visit the CEETL website to register and learn more about the “Personality Quizzing for Student Success” event.

Join the San Francisco Federal Credit Union for a home-buying seminar on Friday, Oct. 24, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Tim Ma will guide you through the essential steps of purchasing a home. 

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or looking to refresh your knowledge, you’ll gain insights into financial preparation, mortgage options, working with real estate professionals and navigating the closing process. Ma will also highlight exclusive credit union programs supporting the path to homeownership.  

Please RSVP via Qualtrics to the home-buying seminar. 
 

Back by popular demand, the Staff Council will host its annual Staff Maker Faire on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., in the Science and Engineering Innovation Center.  

Please complete the Qualtrics survey to participate. For questions, please email askstaffcouncil@sfsu.edu.

Sullivan Patricia Profile

Please join the Department of Elementary Education in celebrating the life and legacy of Pat Sullivan — professor, mentor, and passionate advocate for children, families and educators — on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2 – 4 p.m., in Library 121.  

As a beloved professor at SFSU and City College of San Francisco and the owner of Baby Steps Family Child Care, Sullivan inspired generations of early childhood educators. She was a fierce champion for equity, especially for African American children, and worked tirelessly to uplift the family child-care community and strengthen the early childhood education workforce. 

Please RSVP via Google Forms for Sullivan’s memorial. 

SFSU Spotlight

SFSU student with VR demo set

On Sept. 16, about 70 students from Assistant Professor Ashmi Desai’s classes in Communication Studies — COMM 543: “Dialogues Across Differences” and COMM 430: “Peer Mediation” — visited the Digital Media Studio in the J. Paul Leonard Library for an experiential and immersive learning experience. Each student viewed “Clouds Over Sidra,” a 360-degree video in which Sidra narrates her life in a refugee camp in Jordan. 

Following the screening, students discussed the politics of representation, the global refugee crisis and the value of self-authored narratives from the perspective of a minor. Through these conversations, students animatedly discussed differences between empathy and sympathy and how narratives can impact conflict resolution. 

This large-scale effort took weeks of planning. To execute it, it involved three library rooms and 13 virtual reality (VR) headsets while supporting students with various needs across a full working day. It was made possible through the generous partnership of Academic Technology.  

“Special thanks go to the leadership of Christopher Novak and his team Chi Ki Foo, Kim, Art Wong and Tedd Luke,” Desai said. “Also, gratitude to Andrew Roderick for supporting faculty in creating new pedagogical opportunities that advance engaged learning at SFSU.” 

Photo courtesy of Ashmi Desai 

San Francisco State Athletics recently sent four student-athletes and a pair of administrators to Denver to participate in the NCAA Division II Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education (APPLE) Training Institute. Student-athletes Brayden Concepcion (wrestling), Parsa Hadjighasemi (men's basketball), Shaunessy Cardwell (softball) and Marissa Jordan (softball) accompanied Interim Director of Athletics Brandon Davis and Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Medicine Bryce Schussel

APPLE is the nation’s leading substance misuse prevention and health promotion program for student-athletes and athletics administrators. Developed and coordinated by the University of Virginia’s Gordie Center and funded by the NCAA since 1991, the APPLE Training Institute offers teams of student-athletes, coaches, athletic trainers, administrators and substance misuse prevention specialists an opportunity to evaluate the environment in their athletics departments and develop action plans to enhance prevention efforts. Since 1992, over 60% of all NCAA member institutions have attended one of the annual conferences. 

Associate Professor of American Indian Studies Robert Keith Collins has been appointed to a five-year term as a collections associate with Anthropology Collections at the Field Museum in Chicago. Central in his research will be an examination of the relationship between museum exhibits and culturally relevant pedagogy.  

Marc Stein, the Jamie and Phyllis Pasker Professor of Constitutional Law and U.S. History, will moderate an event during the Litquake festival. “Loving II: More Photographic History of Men in Love” takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6 p.m. at the main branch of the San Francisco Public Library

A hidden history of queer love comes into focus in “Loving II: More Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s – 1950s,” by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell. A follow-up to their acclaimed book “Loving,” this volume features more than 300 never-before-seen vernacular photographs capturing quiet, romantic moments between men across a century of affection, resilience and connection. This in-conversation event includes a visual slideshow, audience Q&A and book signing.