Mark Your Calendar: Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge

Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge

Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge

The Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge (SVIC) is taking place all-day on Monday, November 16 in the new Student Union Ballroom. We encourage CASA students to enter the competition. It is a great way to showcase the innovations conceived by our creative, talented students and celebrate at this year’s event.

The new “Best Sport-Tech” award, sponsored by University Advancement, will be made available this year in addition to the Best Overall Innovation, Best Elevator Pitch, and Best Social Innovation award categories. Each winner will receive a cash prize.

SVIC is a fantastic networking and career building opportunity for students. Judges include faculty and industry professionals from leading Silicon Valley companies such as Cisco Systems, Applied Materials, AT&T, LinkedIn, Citrix, Ericsson, WMware, NetApp, and more.

Cisco Systems in particular plans to use SVIC as a talent recruitment platform. Eligible students with a GPA of 3.2 or higher should visit the Career Center to improve resume writing and interviewing skills prior to the event.

KEY DATES

  • October 5: Submission opens for students, alumni, faculty, etc.
  • October 26: Submission closes at midnight
  • October 28: Online judging begins
  • November 9: Finalists Notified
  • November 16: SVIC Finalist Showcase, Student Union Ballroom, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visit SVIC to learn more.

Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge Poster

SLA Silicon Valley Hosts Dr. Sandra Hirsh for Inaugural Book Club Meeting

Information Services Today: An Introduction

Information Services Today: An Introduction

The Silicon Valley Chapter of the Special Libraries Association (SLA) hosted its inaugural book club gathering with a very special book and guest: Dr. Sandra Hirsh, professor and director of San José State University’s College of Applied Sciences and Arts School of Information and editor of Information Services Today: An Introduction. SLA is an association of information professionals with chapters in more than 80 countries.

An SLA Silicon Valley chapter member, Hirsh was invited to join the lively discussion of her textbook, which includes the perspectives of many iSchool instructors such as Wayne T. Disher, Dr. Mary Ann Harlan, Dr. Cheryl Stenstrom and Dr. Michael Stephens. Since its release in March 2015, the book has been adopted by a number of library and information science instructors around the country.

“It was really an honor to speak about my new book with the Silicon Valley SLA Chapter,” Hirsh says, describing the text as “a valuable foundational textbook for Masters of Library and Information Science (MLIS) students as well as current information professionals who want to learn new areas, brush up on topics which have evolved since they were in school, and learn from the leading thought leaders (both from academia and practice) in the field.”

Over dinner at Billy Burke’s in San José, Hirsh shared the goals and key themes of the book, special features like webcasts, discussion questions, and an online supplement. The group discussed everything from reference services to managing technology and demonstrating value through assessment, to issues like open access and information licensing.

Chrystelle Browman, SLA director-at-large and programs chair, notes that one topic of particular interest to the group fostered a discussion on “leadership vs. management, and the limitations on the words ‘library’ and ‘librarian’.” In response, Hirsh shared her own background in the LIS field, and the role that played in the perspectives represented in the textbook, such as the use of the terms “information professionals” and “information organizations.” “We also talked about the importance of continuing to learn—even after getting the master’s degree,” Hirsh adds.

As chapter president Cory Laurence explained in her invitation to join the book club, “there’s a lot of reading to be done as a librarian, and it’s the kind of reading that is really enhanced with discussion.” Information Services Today highlights current issues and trends, and provides expert insight into the emerging challenges and opportunities of the future, identifying career management strategies and leadership opportunities in the information profession. Hirsh was inspired to create this new textbook because “the underlying principles of our field are valuable, no matter what.”

With Hirsh and Information Services Today, the book club event was a bona fide success!

SLA Silicon Valley members take a photo during the Inaugural Book Club Meeting at Billy Burke's in San José, CA.

SLA Silicon Valley members take a photo during the Inaugural Book Club Meeting at Billy Burke’s in San José, CA.

Ballroom Dance Club: Bring the Joy of Dance to Your Friday Nights

Hello CASA dance enthusiasts!  The ballroom dance club starts up this Friday with beginning salsa and beginning night club two step lessons.  The club meets each Friday in SPX 89 from 7:30-9:30pm.   For information on what’s up each week, see flyer with this post or check web site:  http://studentorgs.sjsu.edu/sjsubdc/schedule.htm
Any questions, contact the club’s faculty advisor: bethany.shifflett@sjsu.edu.

Health Science Department Nyswander Events in April

by Health Science Department
Every year the Health Science hosts a gala public lecture and related events in honor of one of the founders of public health and community health education, Dr. Dorothy Nyswander. The Nyswander Events – this year with Dr. Meredith Minkler  – are going to be incredible.
There will be more information on the events in the weeks ahead, but we want to make sure you were aware of the date change:
  • The Nyswander Lecture will now be Thursday, April 4, 7 – 8:30 (free and open to your family and friends)
  • The Master Class will be that afternoon, 1 – 3:00 by RSVP
  • The Leadership Breakfast will be Friday, April 5, 9 – 11, also by RSVP
Watch your email for registration and publicity information….
Don’t forget to register for the 15th Annual Sexual Diversity event coming up in March.
We  hope to see you, your guests, and your students at these events!

CASA’s Center for Research on Human Services (CARHS) Events

by Amy D’Andrade and the CARHS Steering Committee

Research Forum presentation Thursday 11/29/12 4-5:15 MH 438A

The fall 2012 CARHS Research Forum presents Dr. Lonnie Snowden, from U.C. Berkeley’s School of Public Health. Dr. Snowden will discuss his research examining mental health treatment disparities. If you have any interest in research on treatment disparities, or policy implementation and effects, you won’t want to miss it.  The presentation will be informal and there will be plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Mentoring and support for academics through NCFDD

The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD) is an on-line organization that provides professional development, skills training, and intensive mentoring for faculty members at campuses across the U.S, with a particular focus on under-represented faculty. SJSU has an institutional membership, so all faculty members are eligible to use these supports free of charge. We were going to provide an orientation, but couldn’t find a good time for those who were interested – so instead we put together 2 minute website tour to give you a sense of what is provided. Registration is free, and the resources can be truly helpful. Email Amy D’Andrade at amy.dandrade@sjsu.edu to sign up.

Opportunity to participate in Faculty Bootcamp – Applications DUE 12/5/12

The NCFDD Faculty Success Program (or Faculty Boot Camp) is a 15 week, intensive, structured mentoring and training program. For 15 weeks, participants work with a group of scholars from across the country in on-line workshops, trainings, and supports that are specifically designed to encourage scholarly productivity. Participants also work with a facilitated small group, use the on-line community for accountability and support, and make a commitment to daily writing. CASA CARHS will pay for one faculty member to participate in the Boot Camp for Spring 2013. You can read more about it in the recent CARHS blog post. To apply, submit a one page application detailing your reasons for wanting to participate, and why the program might be helpful for you. Tenure track faculty have priority, but all full time T/TT faculty are eligible to apply. Send applications to Sarah Roberts in the CASA Dean’s office (sarah.b.roberts@sjsu.edu), by 12/5/12.

Two upcoming writing marathons over Winter Break

Daily writing is the best way to be productive, but if you want to finish up a project or make major progress on one, there’s nothing like setting aside a whole day (or 2 or 3!) to devote solely to that project. Writing Marathons provide quiet, space, printing, and coffee, and you bring your laptop, materials, drafts, and commitment to work. The last CARHS writing Mini-Marathon of the semester is Friday, 12/14/12 from 9:30-4:30, and is co-sponsored by the Center for Healthy Aging in Multi-cultural Populations (CHAMP). Registration required by 12/5/12. The 3-day Center for Faculty Development writing marathon is January 14-16. Registration required by 12/10/12.

SJSU Research Foundation Grant Workshop 12/11/12

This workshop outlines how to use the Sponsored Programs Information Network (SPIN) and the SJSU Research Funding Alerts system to locate funding opportunities. The workshop will be held in MLK Library 225-257 from 11:30AM to 1PM on 12/11/12. RSVP by 12/4/12 to Nancy Riley (nancy.riley@sjsu.edu).

Free on-line statistical analysis training

The Analysis Factor provides on-line trainings, project consultation, and information on various aspects of statistical analysis. A webinar on “13 Steps to Running Any Statistical Model” will be provided 12/5/12; it’s free but you need to register.

Ongoing supports

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Provide some anonymous feedback – what CARHS supports would you like to see? What’s working or not working? Let us know.