The UP Side
 

May 2026

Volume 10 Issue 1

 
From the Desk of Jeanne Durr

Happy Almost Summer, Spartans!

As we wrap up the Spring 2026 semester, there’s a familiar and welcome shift in energy across campus. It’s a moment to pause and reflect on a semester filled with meaningful progress, connection, and celebration across our Spartan community.

One of the most memorable highlights this spring was our Celebrating Spartans: Honoring Faculty and Staff event. Thanks to your support and participation, the event was a tremendous success. It was inspiring to come together and recognize the incredible contributions, milestone achievements, and years of service that make SJSU such a special place. The stories shared and the sense of community in the room were powerful reminders of the impact each of you has on our university.

We also proudly completed the second cohort of the MPP and Lead Certificate Training Programs this semester. This growing initiative continues to strengthen leadership, foster collaboration, and build connections across campus. Congratulations to all who participated: your commitment to professional growth and leadership development is helping shape the future of SJSU.

Of course, commencement season is once again upon us, one of the most meaningful times of the year. Seeing our students cross the stage, many of whom are also members of our campus workforce, is a powerful reminder of why we do this work. Your dedication plays a direct role in their success, and that impact cannot be overstated.

As we move into the summer months, campus life will take on a quieter pace. While SJSU remains open, and our summer session academic course offerings continue to expand, the  season also offers a valuable opportunity to recharge. If you’re able to take time off, I encourage you to do so and return refreshed for the year ahead.

Thank you for everything you’ve contributed throughout this academic year. Your dedication, care, and commitment continue to make San José State a vibrant and thriving community.

Wishing you a restful, enjoyable, and well-deserved summer!

Warm regards,
Jeanne

 
Benefits

Optimize Tuition Fee Waiver

As we prepare for the Summer 2026 Tuition Fee Waiver submission period, we encourage you to review the application requirements and supporting documentation needed before submitting your request in Optimize.

 

All applications must be completed through:

Optimize Employee Center

For more information, please check out The UP Lounge Blog

Blog Post

If you have any questions, please contact our campus Fee Waiver Coordinator at fee-waiver@sjsu.edu

Fee Waiver Help and FAQs
 
Organization Development and Enrichment Programs

2026 Employee Benefits and Services Fair

Dear SJSU Family,

Mark your calendars! You're invited to the 2026 Employee Benefits and Services Fair on Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.

This fun and informative event is a great opportunity to connect with our benefits and services providers, meet your SJSU Benefits Representatives, and explore a wide variety of resources, discounts, and programs available to SJSU employees. Whether you're new to campus or a long-time Spartan, you might discover benefits you didn’t even know were available to you!

No RSVP is required; just bring your Tower ID Card for entry and a chance to win a prize.

The event is wheelchair accessible. If you need accommodations, please contact the Organizational Development and Enrichment Programs (ODEP) Team at up-org-development@sjsu.edu as early as possible.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Warmly, UP Organizational Development and Enrichment Programs Team 

 
Donate

The Staff and Faculty Emergency Fund

The Staff and Faculty Emergency Fund (SFEF) is a San José State University initiative managed by University Personnel to support employees facing unexpected hardships. Funds provide one-time grants of up to $1,000 for urgent needs like medical emergencies or natural disasters, with no repayment required. Even modest support can ease financial strain and provide stability during difficult times. Sustained donations from the SJSU community are essential to ensure colleagues receive timely help when they need it most.

More Information
Donate Here
 
Welcome New Spartans!

Employees hired between 11/13/25 - 5/1/26

Abel Torres

Adam Nelson

Addison Uzeta

Adrian Moroyoqui

Adrie Anne Redmond-Sanogo

Aileen Angel-Chao

Alexus-harrelle Deshazier

Allan Santos

Alysia Robinson

Ana Navidad Rayon

Andres Garcia

Andrew Chagoya

Anish Saini

Anna Todd

Arooj Altaf

Ashley Kim

Ashley Robinson

Ashley Thomas-Williams

August Meza

Bramaramba Saranya Kumari Meda

Brendan Lorenzana

Brenly Treece

Brianna Segura Ramirez

Bridget Perez Galindo

Bryant Chau

Chaka Young

Chloe Goings

Christian Piazza

Christine Chin

Claire Orozco

Cytlalit Rosas

Danielle Bermudez

Darren Criswell

Dat Trinh

Davina Hernandez

Deandra Banks

Dee Yates

Diana Cobieya-Jumde

Dion Mosley

Emily Ezell

Ernesto Lozano

Fabio Zambrana Bruno

Genevieve Kobylenski

Geoffrey Osgood

Gildardo Cortez Rodriquez

Howard Depew

Hsiao-hua Silvia Liu

Humberto Gonzalez

Ian Reid

Ikaika Shiveley

Jacob Cleveland

Jacob Piazza

Jacob Urquia

Jacquelyn Jones

Jaime Macias

Jallene Alonso

Jaqueline Luna Gamez

Jessica Franks

Jessica Mendoza

Jesus Casorla-Luna

Joanne Uhl

John Kepley

Jorge Orozco Fonseca

Josephine Aranda

Kaitlyn Stauber

Katherine Hahn-Gronberg

Katherine Harrison

Keith Sheard

Kelly Bitter

Kevin Sporer

Kimberly Thornburg

Laura Beltran Cordova

Lauren Halliwell

Lee Mclaughlin

Liana Agustin-Casey

Lisa Woodard-Mink

Lori Salazar

Luz Espanola

Maira Ramos

Makoto Ushihara

Malena Spar

Margarita Ruedas

Maribel Cardenas Silva

Maribel Flores Becerra

Mark Yates

Marlene Quintanilla Flores

Monica Ramos

Nguyen Kim Ngan Ho

Nina Schmuelling

Omar Casorla

Oscar Cazares

Osiris Zamudio

Primitivo Robles

Rachel Morris

Rawshan E Fatima

Robert Davis

Rojelio Valencia

Ruben Razo

Sahar Qurbani

Sandra Fuentes

Sandra Lustre

Sandra Robles

Sara Dean

Sarah Pishny-Foster

Savannah Conlon

Scott Mink

Sophia Yevoo

Sraboni Flemish

Susana Jimenez

Sydney Harmon

Sydney Sumner

Taylor Leischner

Teresa Mercure

Terrace Wong

Thanh Tran

Thong Nguyen

Tiffany Leyva

Timothy Luu

Timothy Rasmussen

Tina Tieu

Todd Thomas

Uriel Lopez

Vivian Leung

Wilkin Marin

William Lu

William Shockley

Yuxuan Lai

Yvette Renée

 

Note: this message is approved to be sent to all employees (faculty and staff) outside the regular SpartanMessenger cadence. Programs herein have also been promoted in SpartanMessenger. Any and all non-urgent and routine email communications to employees from any college, division or department must still be submitted to SpartanMessenger. 

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