To my colleagues across Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence,

As we begin our work as one division: I am grateful to build SAIE alongside you.

SAIE brings together two powerful promises: care, connection, opportunity, and investment in student success; and a commitment to confront barriers, honor our communities, and create conditions in which every person may thrive.

We can connect direct student support with systems change. We can help students succeed within the University while helping Sac State become better for every student.

That is the promise of SAIE.

Across our division, we create moments students and families will remember, from Convocation and Nest Fest to Homecoming, Hornet Family Weekend, cultural pop-ups, tailgates, career fairs, and graduation celebrations.

We also help students find housing and food, care for their health, navigate crises, prepare for careers, develop as leaders, and persist when leaving might feel easier. Colleagues managing budgets, technology, facilities, data, communications, policies, and partnerships make all of this possible.

Some of our work happens before thousands. Some happens quietly, through an answered call, a room made ready, a barrier removed, or a conversation that changes someone’s day.

Every part of it matters.

At the heart of our work is one conviction: People flourish when they know they matter. Our students need to know that they matter. But so do you.

I know many of you are supporting communities experiencing uncertainty, responding to changing policies, stretching limited resources, and continuing to show up with compassion, creativity, and courage. Please know that I see you. I value you. I do not take your work or your presence for granted.

As we build SAIE, I invite each of us to do two things.

First, tell someone that they matter. Thank a colleague whose work happens quietly. Remind a student that our University is better because they are here. 

Second, step into a space that is not usually yours. Attend a cultural pop-up, an Employee Resource Group gathering, a tailgate, or an event hosted by another part of SAIE. Listen, learn, and experience another community’s joy and culture.

A new division is not created by moving boxes on an organizational chart. It is created through relationships, when we cross boundaries, choose curiosity over comfort, and see one another as people.

That future will not be built by one leader, one office, or one initiative. It will be built by all of us. Your ideas will shape it. Your relationships will strengthen it. Your courage will move it forward. Your presence will make it whole. 

Our students matter. Your work matters. You matter. Stingers Up!

Michael V. Nguyen

Vice President for Inclusive Excellence

Chief Diversity Officer

🏆 Join us in congratulating Sacramento State alum and graduate student Lisa Sanchez, who was selected for the 2026 CSU Trustees' Award. Every year, the CSU recognizes students from each of the system’s 22 campuses, honoring those who demonstrate superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service, and financial need. Read more about Sanchez at the link below, via University Marketing & Communications.

📅 The holiday season is approaching, and the Office of Human Resources recently sent a reminder to staff about upcoming campus closures. These include Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day; Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving; winter break, and more. For a full list and more details, see the SacSend or check your inbox.

💻 The CSU recently launched a survey in an effort to shape AI on campus. All staff may complete the anonymous survey on the use of AI, which asks about generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT Edu and Microsoft Copilot. The survey takes about 10 minutes and looks to gather unique perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of AI-enabled tech. Participants may enter to win prizes as well. 

🎨 The American Indian Studies Association (AISA) invites faculty, students, community members and artists to submit proposals for its 28th Annual Conference, “Confluences: Stewarding Intersections of Sovereignty, Land, Water, and Culture,” taking place Feb. 4-6, 2027, at Sac State, hosted by Wileety Native American College. Submission formats include individual papers, panels, roundtables, workshops, presentations, and film or creative performances. Abstracts are limited to 250 words and must be submitted by Oct. 16.

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Designation: Staying Connected Beyond Latine Heritage Month

As Latine Heritage Month (LHM) comes to a close on October 15, there are still many opportunities to celebrate, connect, and engage with our Latine and immigrant communities at Sac State and throughout the region. Be sure to check the LHM calendar for upcoming events and activities.

Join El Centro Serna (ECS) and the Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC) on October 14 for a pop-up featuring food, music, and activities. Additionally, participate in ECS’s Día de Los Muertos Community Altar, on display in the University Union from October 28–November 4. Lastly, attend Immigrant Stories on October 27, co-led by the USRC.

For year-round connection, explore and share the SOMOS Community Resource Map, which connects the Greater Sacramento community with local organizations, services, networks, and Latine-owned businesses.

We appreciate and encourage your support, attendance and participation in our Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence and campus events.

Here are some upcoming events to attend this month: 

Welcome to Honey, Wings & Stings!

The Buzz highlights members of the Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence family who have been promoted (Honey 🍯), newly hired (Wings 🦋), and those who are leaving our division, including retirees (Stings 🐝).

Join us in recognizing these extraordinary employees!

Honey 🍯recognizes our staff who have been promoted or transferred to new roles within Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence.

Congratulations to these outstanding members of our SAIE family!

Wings 🦋 recognizes new hires in the division, with a list of names, titles and start dates.

Join us in welcoming our newest division members!

Stings 🐝 recognizes members of the Hornet Family who are departing the division, including our retirees.

Join us in wishing these folks all the best on their next adventure!

Now that it's October, the SA-IT team has a few quick updates to keep your department’s tech secure, visible, and up-to-date.

Need technical assistance?

Submit a SA-IT Service Request, explore our SA-IT Department Webpage, or email us directly at sa-it@csus.edu.

Concur Procard Quick Tip 💻 

When reconciling procard charges, please do not "link" your hospitality statement for the charges to the expense report. Doing so overrides the name of the report, which should be, for example, "ProCard: 07/24 - 08/24." Instead, download your Hospitality Justification Form to a PDF and attach the PDF to the receipt.

You do not need to attach the Hospitality Justification Form to the header if you attach it to the receipt. Doing so creates multiple copies of the Hospitality Justification Form. It is recommended that the Hospitality Justification Form is attached to the receipt so that it is visible when selecting that expense's attachments.

P2P Quick Tips 🧾

Here are the steps for making a change order to a purchase order that requires an additional line: 

When purchasing technology that has a display recycling fee, do not use the punchout suppliers, such as CDW. The fee will not be added, and you will not be able to request a change order to the PO. You will then have issues paying the fee(s). Instead, create a regular requisition to avoid this problem.

Adding your events to Trumba, Sac State's event management platform, is quick, easy, and it's an effective way to get your events seen by the campus community.

Trumba is designed to help organize, share and promote campus events in a simple, intuitive platform. Sharing your events on the campus calendar is a great way to keep students up-to-date on all the exciting events we have planned!

Hornet Weekly - Sac State's bulletin for currently enrolled students is sent every Tuesday as an email newsletter, distributed via the MySacState student portal and is available as an online archive.

Submit your items for inclusion in the next Hornet Weekly!

Next submission deadline: 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, for Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Hornet Weekly now uses SharePoint for submitting news, announcements and resources items. We use Trumba for event submissions, but Hornet Weekly has its own Trumba submission form. Learn more at the button below.

Learning & Development offers a wide variety of employee professional development trainings, events and activities each month.

Additionally, the Career Center offers a wide variety of career development and employer networking resources, trainings, events, career fairs and activities for you, your students and alumni each month.

See the full calendars below for full event listings.

We have an easy way to request campaigns, emails and more. Use our forms to request graphics, photos, videos and targeted SacSends!

We are here to help. Let us guide you on the best practices and platforms for reaching students. Planning ahead streamlines communication pathways, helping you connect with your target audience(s).

Thank you for reading the October 2026 edition of The Buzz!

🐝 The Buzz usually hits your inbox once a month. 🐝

Your partnership is the heartbeat of this newsletter. Please submit updates for the next newsletter no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23.

Please send us your feedback, thoughts, and ideas. 💌

The Buzz is compiled in cooperation with our division partners and produced by Digital Communications Specialist Daniel Wilson.

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6000 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 278-6011  |   www.csus.edu