It’s a Dean’s Life Vol. 13

It’s a Dean’s Life 

January 2017 

Dean Lisa VollendorfHappy New Year!

As we begin the spring semester at San José State University, this is a perfect time to give pause to give thanks for all of the faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and community supporters who make the College of Humanities and the Arts strong.  

While national politics are in a state of change, here at San José State we remain true to our core values of accessible, affordable, high-quality education. We had the opportunity to celebrate those values and commit in unity diversity, inclusion, and compassion during January’s Ghostlight Project

Nowhere are the impacts of public higher education on display more than in the California State University system. In an inspirational article on the impact of public education on social mobility, the New York Times reported that four Cal State universities are in the top ten institutions nationwide for raising the income status of their graduates. San José State University ranks #8 in the nation for upward mobility as measured by percent of students from the bottom fifth of the income distribution who end up in the top three-fifths. This study represents one of the clearest measures of the social impact we have on students, families, and communities. All of it thanks to the commitment we all have made collectively to supporting public higher education.

We have many things to look forward to this semester, including Bob Woodruff receiving the Steinbeck Award February 21; Cinequest at the Hammer March 1-13; Seminar at the Hammer March 21-25; the Catalyst Quartet at the Hammer April 5; University Dance Theatre April 15; and Elijah at the Hammer May 12 and 14. 
 

The Paseo Public Prototyping Festival will be an exciting, all day arts and technology festival at the Hammer and on the Paseo de San Antonio on April 8, 2017. This is one of the most high-profile events to date at the Hammer, and will include speakers, art installations, and displays by the 25 student teams who have created prototypes to make San José a better place to live, work, and play.  

We continue to hire to support student success, which is core to our mission and our values. I am pleased to announce that we now have a total of six advisors in our Success Center, which means we are in a great position to help our 4,200 majors navigate their way through the university toward graduation successfully.  

We also have hired a Marketing and Communications Director for the college to help us continue to bring attention to the great work being done by faculty, students, staff, and alumni. Ms. Sheryl Spann will start work overseeing our Student Marketing and Communications Team at the end of February. In addition to the searches for new professors being done throughout our departments, these hires will help us serve everyone in H&A more effectively by supporting faculty and staff in all areas of the college. 

There is much to be grateful for as we enter 2017. President Mary Papazian continues to lead the university toward stronger integration with the city and our surrounding communities. The Hewlett Foundation announced an infusion of $8M in funding to Bay Area non-profit organizations to commission new works over the next three years.  

The Hammer Theatre has strong programming for spring, including the continuation of this season’s National Theatre Live screenings and performing arts productions by SJSU. Please help us get the word out about the possibility of renting the Hammer for corporate meetings, product launches, VIP parties, and even weddings. We have an incredible team of staff at the ready to make every event, performance, concert, or party a success. Please refer people to contact hammer-theatre@sjsu.edu for more information or to get on the mailing list. 

As you can see, we have much to celebrate here in the College of Humanities and the Arts in 2017. We continue to do the important work of helping students achieve their dreams, but that work is only possible when we all come together to stand in support of public education, humanities, and the arts.  

I hope to see you at one of our many events this semester so I can thank you in person for your support.  

Warmly,  

Lisa Vollendorf