5th Annual CHAMP Senior Wellness Fair

CHAMP Senior Wellness Fair 2015

CHAMP Senior Wellness Fair 2015

The Timpany Center hosted the annual Senior Wellness Fair on October 24, 2015. The fair brought in over 500 attendees, with many students from San José State University’s (SJSU) College of Applied Sciences and Arts (CASA) volunteering to interact with the population.

The Senior Wellness Fair is a partnership between SJSU’s Center for Healthy Aging in Multicultural Populations (CHAMP), the Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services and the Timpany Center, now in its fifth year. CHAMP is an interdisciplinary effort that includes faculty from the School of Social Work, The Valley Foundation School of Nursing, Nutrition and Food Science, Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy as well as the departments of Psychology and Communicative Disorders and Sciences.

Sadhna Diwan, School of Social Work professor and director of CHAMP, said the fair offers SJSU students an opportunity to practice their communication skills, learn how to engage seniors in screenings and health education, and learn about the role of multiple disciplines and the array of community services available to promote wellness and healthy aging.

Students from the School of Social Work interacted with seniors using a poster board displaying facial expressions to identify mood change and depression. The students handed out community resource sheets and gave recommendations on how to seek help if some seniors are experiencing a low mood change.

Social Work graduate students volunteer at the Senior Wellness Fair on Oct. 24, 2015.

Social Work graduate students volunteer at the Senior Wellness Fair on Oct. 24, 2015.

Naomi Gomez, a social work graduate student, said she and her fellow students were there to educate seniors on mood changes that lead into depression in the aging population. “We are offering seniors today different support systems and referrals to help lift their moods or if they know of someone they can pass this useful information to,” said Gomez.

Don Tran, a public health graduate student, greeted seniors with his fellow students and provided body mass index screenings and blood pressure testing. Tran is working with the Pathways to American Indian and Alaska Native (PAAW) to introduce a diabetes prevention program. Tran said that the fair provides an opportunity to seek out potential participants to take part in the program that will provide participants with gym memberships, walking shoes, healthy meals and more.

“We are focused on improving health for American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and all indigenous heritage population of Santa Clara County,” Tran said while handing out information packets to participants during the fair.

The Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging (NuFS) students provided information on food insecurities and healthy hydration methods. Kristian Ghazal, NuFS graduate student, said she volunteered to encourage seniors to buy local foods and where they can use CalFresh EBT cards.

Ghazal presented each visitor with an informational poster that highlighted healthy food options during each season of the year and reasons why the community should buy foods from local farmers. “Everyone attending the fair today should know where and how to get fresh foods from local farmers,” said Ghazal as she talked about the importance of seniors needing to maintain a healthy diet and supporting local farmers.

Kristian Ghazal, student volunteer, holds informational poster about local farmers and healthy seasonal foods.

Kristian Ghazal, student volunteer, holds informational poster about local farmers and healthy seasonal foods.

Susan Ross, Health Science and Recreation lecturer, and undergraduate students offered leisure interest screenings. Lovegifty Dudero, HSR undergraduate student, said she used the screening to talk with seniors about what they like to do on their free time. The results of the assessment identifies strengths and weaknesses of leisure activities such as physical, outdoor, mechanical, artistic, service, social, cultural and reading activities.

“From the results we can provide different leisure activities to help improve their weaknesses,” Dudero said, after finishing an assessment.

Lovegifty Dudero, student volunteer, administering a leisure screening with Senior Wellness Fair participant.

Lovegifty Dudero, student volunteer, administering a leisure screening with Senior Wellness Fair participant.

“Learning is one of the most life giving things a person can do,” said Ross, as she explained the goal of the student volunteers to teach people how to gain more novelty using the leisure screening. Other activities from NuFS included aging myths and aroma therapy.

An additional amount of students from SJSU volunteered their time to assist with various tasks at the fair. Desiree Barton, Daniela Zea and Chantelle Patel, School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) undergraduate students, volunteered to take pictures of the event and interview seniors who attend.

“One of the most resourceful things for them is that everything is in one place and the free flu shots,” said Patel, after interviewing senior participants.

The JMC students plan to use the pictures and video interviews to create a video for CHAMP to spread awareness of the Senior Wellness Fair.

For more on CHAMP, click here.

 

Christine Di Salvo and Richard Larson Awarded at Homecoming

Christine Di Salvo, a Journalism and Mass Communications lecturer and Richard Larson, a Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging and Hospitality Management lecturer in the College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San José State University (SJSU) earned the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Faculty Award by the SJSU Quarterback Club. Voted by student athletes of SJSU for their exemplary service and dedication to educating Spartan student athletes. Both were celebrated on the football field during halftime at the Homecoming game on Saturday, October 17, 2015 against San Diego State University.

Congratulations to Richard and Christine!

Christine Di Salvo received the SAAC Faculty Award from the SJSU Quarterback Club during the Homecoming football game.

Christine Di Salvo received the SAAC Faculty Award from the SJSU Quarterback Club during the Homecoming football game.

Richard Larson received the SAAC Faculty Award from the SJSU Quarterback Club during the Homecoming football game.

Richard Larson received the SAAC Faculty Award from the SJSU Quarterback Club during the Homecoming football game.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communications Present the William Randolph Hearst Award to Sara Sidner

Sara Sidner, CNN National and International Correspondent, was honored by the faculty and students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications (JMC) with the prestigious William Randolph Hearst Award for excellence in professional journalism on October 13, 2015.

William Randolph Hearst Award Medal.

William Randolph Hearst Award Medal.

Sara Sidner Sidner was describing the scene in and around Moammar Gadhafi's seized compound.

Sara Sidner Sidner was describing the scene in and around Moammar Gadhafi’s seized compound.

Sara Sidner reporting live on television.

Sara Sidner reporting live on television.

As a national and global news reporter, Sidner has reported on a wide range of subjects from international terrorism, race riots and protests in America, to business moves, and social and cultural issues making headlines. She has experienced first-hand the dangers journalists face in war torn regions including Libya, Egypt, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. In the Middle East, Sidner was part of the CNN team that won the top broadcast news honor, the Peabody Award, for CNN’s coverage of the Arab Spring. She’s also covered major breaking news in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Taiwan.

Sara Sidner reporting live about Syria.

Sara Sidner reporting live about Syria.

Sara Sidner, CNN Correspondent.

Sara Sidner, CNN Correspondent.

Now based in Los Angeles, California for CNN Sidner just returned from covering the tragic community college shooting incident in Oregon this fall. She also led and continues to follow up on the network’s coverage in Ferguson, Missouri where protests continued for months after an unarmed black teenager was shot and killed by a white police officer. While reporting on live television during the weeks of rioting, Sidner was pelted in the head by a rock thrown by a protester angry about national media coverage. At one time, Sidner was also a local reporter and news anchor for KTVU Channel 2 in the Bay Area.

Sara Sidner speaks with JMC students.

Sara Sidner speaks with JMC students.

JMC round table discussion with Sara Sidner.

JMC round table discussion with Sara Sidner.

JMC faculty invited Sidner to speak to as many students and classes as possible while on campus, and discuss in candid terms the real world challenges journalists face every day around the nation and across the world. She started her day by joining a small group of JMC students in the Dwight Bentel Hall television studio for a round table discussion about issues that interested them. She later visited three large lecture classes with a focus on media and society, law and ethics in media, and diversity and life experiences reported in the media. Students were amazed by Sidner’s warm personality, free flowing candor and passion for journalism.

Hearst Award Luncheon for Sara Sidner at Flames Eatery in San José, California.

Hearst Award Luncheon for Sara Sidner at Flames Eatery in San José, California.

JMC faculty takes a group photo with Sara Sidner during the Hearst Award Luncheon at Flames Eatery in San José, California.

JMC faculty hosted the annual Hearst Award Foundation luncheon at Flames Restaurant. Campus officials and many of Sidner’s local media friends and former co-workers were invited to join the celebration. Among the guests in attendance were Dr. Mary Schutten, Dean, College of Applied Sciences and Arts (CASA); Dr. Pamela Richardson, Associate Dean, CASA; Sonia Wright, CASA Development Director; Dr. Dennis Wilcox, former JMC School Director; Sal Pizarro, JMC School graduate. Columnist for the San Jose Mercury News included Rita Williams, Retired Bay Area KTVU 2 Reporter; Lloyd La Cuesta, JMC School graduate and Retired KTVU 2 South Bay Bureau Chief; Rigo Chacon, Retired ABC 7 South Bay Bureau Chief; Kiet Do and Devin Fehely, KPIX 5 Reporters; Egan Schulz, JMC School graduate and Silicon Valley media executive; Keith Sanders, SJSU Video Producer/Hearst Event Video Production.

JMC students having a question and answer discussion about Sara Sidner's career.

JMC students having a question and answer discussion about Sara Sidner’s career.

Sara Sidner leading a discussion with JMC students about journalism.

Sara Sidner leading a discussion with JMC students about journalism.

Before the later afternoon Hearst Award ceremony, Sara Sider led some heartfelt discussions with journalism students in the convergence newsroom in Dwight Bentel Hall. Later she would tell JMC School Director, Professor Bob Rucker that the students in all the classes did their research very well, learned as much as they could about her career in advance, and asked very impressive questions.

Sara Sidner and the William Randolph Hearst Award.

Sara Sidner and the William Randolph Hearst Award.

Sara Sidner giving speech during the award ceremony.

Sara Sidner giving speech during the award ceremony.

Attendees listening to Sara Sidner's presentation during the award ceremony.

Attendees listening to Sara Sidner’s presentation during the award ceremony.

This very special day concluded with the William Randolph Hearst Award ceremony at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.​ Nearly 150 people attended the 90 minute presentation that included a powerful address by Sidner. At one point the guest of honor welled up with tears and paused as she was telling how painful it can be telling the personal stories of people devastated by wars, natural disasters and political corruption.

Sara Sidner gathers with guests after the award ceremony.

Sara Sidner gathers with guests after the award ceremony.

Sidner and her husband Tim stayed late to shake hands and thank all who came to hear her speak at San José State University. She promised to come back, and plans to stay in touch with the JMC School. She invited students looking for a mentor about careers in journalism to contact her.

Photos included are from CNN, Google, JMC School student Randy Vazquez, and JMC School director, Bob Rucker.

Dean Schutten is the Featured Author of the Month

Dean Schutten

Dean Mary Schutten

The College of Applied Sciences and Arts (CASA) Dean, Mary Schutten, is the San José State University (SJSU) ScholarWorks Featured Author of the Month.

“With so much wonderful work going on at SJSU, it is nice to be a featured scholar,” said Schutten as she was honored to be selected.

Schutten said ScholarWorks “was a way to provide information on my work that led to requests to submit similar work to publications.” Other benefits included the monthly download report. This report helped identify areas in Schutten’s research portfolio that informed decisions about future research topics.

ScholarWorks provides access to scholarly work created at SJSU. The repository aims to increase global visibility of SJSU’s intellectual output. Schutten highly recommends using this service.

Benefits of ScholarWorks:

  • ScholarWorks provides a permanent, interactive, on-line CV for you to share with colleagues and the wider world. CASA faculty members Anthony Bernier (School of Information), Kasuen Mauldin (Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging) and Miranda Worthen (Health Science and Recreation) are great examples of how to use this online repository tool. You can also browse by school or department using the CASA collection.
  • All permissions for posting PDF files and links are taken care by ScholarWorks.
  • Full text of all works in the associated Digital Commons repository are optimized for Google & Google Scholar searching.
  • Authors receive a confidential monthly download report showing total downloads for the last 30 days and cumulatively for all works in the depository.
  • Facilitates networking and sharing of scholarly work – anyone can subscribe to receive updates from a scholar regarding announcements of recent work, or receive automatically generated emails anytime new work is added to a profile.
  • Publish working papers.
  • Download counts algorithm for accurate download statistics
  • Research announcement tool allows scholars to maximize their work.
  • It is extremely easy to use.Email a current CV to scholarworks@sjsu.edu.

View Schutten’s profile and sign up for ScholarWorks yourself or update an existing profile by sending in your latest Curriculum Vitae (CV).

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