Category Archives: Special Education

Congratulations from Lurie College Dean Heather Lattimer

Congratulations to all of our SJSU Lurie College of Education undergraduate, graduate, credential, and doctoral students for completing a very challenging and unconventional semester! Watch this video for a shoutout from Dean Heather Lattimer.  The transcription of the message is available below.

Congratulations!  You have made it through what has been one of the craziest, most unpredictable, most challenging semesters that I’ve experienced in more than 20 years as a member of a university community.  I hope that you recognize your accomplishment and that you take great pride in the fact that you made it through.

You deserve huge admiration.

Continue Reading…

Become a Special Education Teacher Through our Residency Program

Make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities by joining SJSU’s Teacher Residency Program in Special Education!  In this program, you will complete a Special Education Teacher Credential in 1 year while receiving over $16,000 in stipends and becoming eligible for additional scholarship funding.  Those who are interested in this opportunity should contact Department of Special Education faculty Dr. Lisa Simpson at lisa.simpson@sjsu.edu.

SJSU Lurie College of Education Teacher Education Department Elementary

Lurie College Set to Celebrate Spring 2020 Graduates

SJSU Lurie College of Education Spring 2020 Graduation Celebration

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted so many facets of society over the past couple of months, that’s not stopping the Lurie College of Education at San Jose State University from organizing a live graduation celebration to recognize its more than 500 Spring 2020 graduates (and soon-to-be alumni)!

This is an incredibly significant moment for our graduates, their support networks, our Lurie College of Education community, and our society as a whole. College commencement ceremonies are a rite of passage for students every year who have worked tirelessly to prepare themselves for the next chapters in their lives. While we are saddened that we are not able to celebrate with our graduates in person at this time as a result of COVID-19, we are proud of how our entire Lurie College community of students, faculty, and staff have responded and persevered during this pandemic, and so it’s our priority to celebrate virtually with our graduates to acknowledge their accomplishments and bring some closure to their academic experiences with us.  We look forward to welcoming our graduates back to campus and celebrating in person together at the Fall 2020 or Spring 2021 Commencement events. – Dean Heather Lattimer

The Lurie College Graduation Celebration will take place online on Friday, May 22, at 4pm and begin with a college-wide ceremony that will include remarks from Dean Heather Lattimer, Associate Dean Marcos Pizarro, and student speaker Giselle Arellano, who is graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development.

It feels really special to be the graduation speaker, especially during these times.  When I was first selected as the speaker, it was more of an ‘I did it’ moment as a first-generation student of an immigrant family and someone who is representing that small percentage of graduating Latinas all over the world.  Now it feels like I am the person who is able to voice what I’m hearing from my fellow classmates, my friends, from those who are graduating from other departments.  Many of us are feeling the same sadness about not being able to celebrate in person, but we still feel very accomplished and made it to a point where, even though the odds may not be in our favor right now, we still can celebrate and know that ‘we did it’! – Giselle Arellano

Each Spring 2020 graduate will also be recognized during the college-wide ceremony.  Lurie College graduates, faculty, and staff have been invited to attend the event live and family and friends are invited to watch the ceremony live on the Lurie College YouTube channel.

After the college-wide ceremony, each Lurie College department – Child & Adolescent Development, Communicative Disorders & Sciences, Counselor Education, EdD Leadership, Special Education, and Teacher Education – is hosting an online reception to include remarks from faculty chairpersons, individualized slideshows, and socializing among graduates, faculty, and staff to close out the academic year.

Since this year’s experience is entirely digital, Lurie College has created some other digital items to enhance the experience, such as:

San Jose State University as a whole is honoring and celebrating all Spring 2020 graduates by launching graduate recognition websites, which will go live on Friday, May 22.  Learn more about the San Jose State University graduate recognition websites on the SJSU Newsroom website.

I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s faces and feeling that overall sense of relief in knowing that, while this journey seemed daunting at first, I’m finally able to say ‘I’m a graduate’ and complete something that I’ve been working towards for so long.  Overall, this all feels very surreal and amazing! – Giselle Arellano

SJSU Lurie College of Education Child and Adolescent Development Student Giselle Arellano

Giselle Arellano, SJSU Lurie College of Education Graduation Speaker

Watch our MA in Special Education Student Research Project Presentations

Congratulations to our Lurie College graduate students in our Department of Special Education who recently presented their final research projects!

  • 3:34 – Nathaly Cisneros-Mendoza: “Perceptions of Latino/a parents when accessing services for their child with autism”
  • 11:51 – Marissa Richers: “Cerebral Palsy: The impacts on a child’s motor and social development”
  • 20:32 – Fatema Rahim: “Impact of South Asian cultural views on parents of children with special needs”
  • 29:12 – Monica Gonzalez: “The effect of a graphic organizer intervention on math word problem solving skills for English language learners with high incidence disabilities”
  • 40:26 – Elizabeth Sanchez: “The effect of culture on parent involvement in special education”
  • 50:31 – Ashley Highsmith: “The disproportionality of black students in special education”
  • 1:02:00 – Madison Henry: “Homeschooling vs public schooling: Decisions to homeschool children with special needs”
  • 1:10:01 – Dilkash Ahmed: “Teacher perceptions of assistive technology classroom implementation”

Connect with Lurie College at https://linktr.ee/sjsulurie to receive more news about academic and student life!

Lurie College Students Curate Activist Playlist

Lurie College students who have been enrolled in EDSE 102: Typical and Atypical Development, Speech and Language Development recently read We Want to Do More Than Survive by Bettina Love and then curated an activist playlist!  Give the playlist a listen at bit.ly/lurie-playlists

We Want to do More Than Survive Bettina Love

SJSU Lurie College of Education EDSE 102 Activist Playlist

Attend the Lurie College MA in Special Education Research Presentations

Join us on Tuesday, May 12, from 7-8:30 on Zoom at https://sjsu.zoom.us/j/92109854969 to learn from 8 graduate students in our Department of Special Education as they present their thesis research!

  • Nathaly Cisneros-Mendoza: “Perceptions of Latino/a parents when accessing services for their child with autism”
  • Marissa Richers: “Cerebral Palsy: The impacts on a child’s motor and social development”
  • Monica Gonzalez: “The effect of a graphic organizer intervention on math word problem solving skills for English language learners with high incidence disabilities”
  • Dilkash Ahmed: “Teacher perceptions of assistive technology classroom implementation”
  • Ashley Highsmith: “The disproportionality of black students in special education”
  • Madison Henry: “Homeschooling vs public schooling: Decisions to homeschool children with special needs”
  • Elizabeth Sanchez: “The effect of culture on parent involvement in special education”
  • Fatema Rahim: “Impact of South Asian cultural views on parents of children with special needs”

MA in Special Ed Research Presentations

Special Education Intern Feature: Jessica Celeridad

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the way that our society functions. This is especially true at all levels of education. At the SJSU Lurie College of Education, our faculty and staff have been challenged to create accessible and equitable educational opportunities for our students. Many of our Lurie College students are also in teaching positions and student support positions at the K-12 and higher education levels. In this video series, we would like to give a special shoutout to Jessica Celeridad and all of the other Special Education Intern students who are supporting students with special needs remotely. Learn more about Jessica through this conversation with Lurie College faculty member Lisa Simpson.

Connect with Lurie College at https://linktr.ee/sjsulurie to receive more news about academic and student life! Video edited by Brian Cheung Dooley – http://brianpdooley.com. “Going Higher” provided royalty free by bensound.com

Educators of Impact | Mario Rocha

With the COVID-19 crisis making it abundantly clear the critical role that educators play in our society, Lurie College is recognizing SJSU Educators of Impact who have made a transformative difference in the lives of children, families, and communities.  Learn more about Mario Rocha below.  To nominate an SJSU graduate who is an Educator of Impact, please complete this brief Google form.

SJSU Lurie College of Education Educator of Impact Mario Rocha

“Mr. Mario Rocha joined the O.B. Whaley Elementary School staff during the 2019-20 school year as a Resource Specialist Teacher.  Immediately, he was a perfect fit for our student population, a diverse Title 1 school.  He created an inviting learning environment where students easily made connections with him and felt his genuine love for them.  Within weeks of him as the school’s new resource teacher, student absenteeism improved, students made academic gains, and students enjoyed school!  Mr. Rocha is one of a kind, and we are so fortunate to have him as an educator.”

Special Education Intern Feature: Rosa Gonzalez

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the way that our society functions. This is especially true at all levels of education. At the SJSU Lurie College of Education, our faculty and staff have been challenged to create accessible and equitable educational opportunities for our students. Many of our Lurie College students are also in teaching positions and student support positions at the K-12 and higher education levels. In this video series, we would like to give a special shoutout to Rosa Gonzalez and all of the other Special Education Intern students who are supporting students with special needs remotely. Learn more about Rosa through this conversation with Lurie College faculty member Lisa Simpson.

Connect with Lurie College at https://linktr.ee/sjsulurie to receive more news about academic and student life! Video edited by Brian Cheung Dooley – http://brianpdooley.com. “Going Higher” provided royalty free by bensound.com

Educators of Impact | Donna Lewis

With the COVID-19 crisis making it abundantly clear the critical role that educators play in our society, Lurie College is recognizing SJSU Educators of Impact who have made a transformative difference in the lives of children, families, and communities.  Learn more about Goleta Union School District Superintendent Donna Lewis below.  To nominate an SJSU graduate who is an Educator of Impact, please complete this brief Google form.

SJSU Lurie College of Education Educator of Impact Dr. Donna Lewis

1. As an educator, what gives you the greatest sense of achievement?

As an educator of nearly 30 years and in my current role as Superintendent, my greatest sense of achievement comes from knowing we are working cohesively as a professional learning community to meet the needs of a diverse student population.  This takes creativity, collaboration, tenacity and a lot of hard work.  We hold high expectations for every student and make no excuses. As a result, our students are outperforming peers from similar school districts.  This is so highly rewarding.

2. What impact has your career had on you?

Public education is ever-evolving and fraught with challenges such as lack of funding, resources, and now distance learning as we cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite these challenges, or maybe because of them, I have learned to be patient, to be more empathetic, and to never give up — not on any student, family, colleague, or myself. I am definitely a better person for having served as an educator.

3. What advice would you give to a current or aspiring educator?

Being an educator is a calling. I gave up a career in finance to become a teacher because I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students. My advice to any current or aspiring educator would be to push yourself out of your comfort zone.  When opportunity knocks be willing to be flexible and try something new.  Take leadership opportunities.  Get your master’s degree as soon as possible and consider a doctoral degree.  Challenge yourself and always be self-reflective.  Most of all, never forget you are a role model for others.  Respect and treasure the power that you have as an educator to influence the lives of so many.

Special Education Intern Feature: Rachel Mein

COVID-19 has significantly impacted the way that our society functions. This is especially true at all levels of education. At the SJSU Lurie College of Education, our faculty and staff have been challenged to create accessible and equitable educational opportunities for our students. Many of our Lurie College students are also in teaching positions and student support positions at the K-12 and higher education levels. In this video series, we would like to give a special shoutout to Rachel Mein and all of the other Special Education Intern students who are supporting students with special needs remotely. Learn more about Rachel through this conversation with Lurie College faculty member Lisa Simpson.

Connect with Lurie College at https://linktr.ee/sjsulurie to receive more news about academic and student life! Video edited by Brian Cheung Dooley – http://brianpdooley.com. “Going Higher” provided royalty free by bensound.com

Upcoming Scholarship and Grant Application Deadlines

  • Scholarships:  Watch this recording to learn from staff in the SJSU Scholarships Office and faculty on the Lurie College Scholarship Review committee about the 2020-2021 Lurie College scholarship application process.  More details about all of the Lurie College scholarship and grant opportunities are available at sjsu.edu/education/financial-aid.  The deadline to apply for SJSU and Lurie College scholarships is Friday, May 1, 2020, so start your application process as soon as you can!
  • Student-Research Awards:  Supports students to be mentored by a faculty mentor on a student-initiated research project.  Students can receive an award of $2,000 per semester and $4,000 a year.  The deadline to apply for these awards for the 2020-2021 academic year is Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 4pm via this Google form.  Learn about research projects by Department of Special Education graduate student Monica Gonzalez and Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences student James Chow who each received a student-research award for the 2019-2020 academic year.

Statement from Lurie College Dean Heather Lattimer | April 23, 2020

Watch this video message from Dean Heather Lattimer following the announcement from SJSU about planning for the Fall 2020 semester in response to COVID-19.  The transcription of the message is available below.

Hello Lurie College.  The message that we received earlier this week that we’re not coming back to campus as usual this fall was hard to hear.  Although many of us might have suspected that such a message was coming, based on news reports that we’re seeing from across the country and around the world, it was nevertheless hard to see in print.  Many of us are grieving a sense of normalcy, missing rites of passage that were supposed to take place this spring, especially commencement, and frustrated that this sense of limbo that we’re all in might continue for weeks and even months ahead.

I want you to know that we see you, and we understand.

We see how hard you’re working in your academic classes, we see how many challenges you are navigating in school, at home, with family and finances.  We see the pain, the exhaustion and the fear that many of you are experiencing.  We also see your successes.  We see the triumphs, large and small, academic and personal.  We see the kindness that you’ve shown to one another and to our larger community and we’re grateful.

Continue Reading…

Attend Our Teacher Residency Program Info Session

Are you pursuing a career in teaching because you want to serve diverse students in a high-needs school district?  Are you planning to student teaching Fall 2020 – Spring 2021?  If so, then join us on Wednesday, April 29, at 4:00pm via Zoom for our teacher residency program info session!

If you are interested in the teacher residency program but can’t attend the meeting, contact Prof. David Whitenack at david.whitenack@sjsu.edu.  If and when you are ready to apply to the teacher residency program, in addition to applying to the credential program (if you aren’t already admitted or enrolled), you’ll need to complete this supplementary application.

Plans Underway for Lurie College Graduation Celebration

While we at the Lurie College of Education are saddened that we are unable to have an in-person commencement ceremony during the Spring 2020 semester as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we also realize the importance of continuing to follow our current public health orders for the health and safety of our families, our communities, and society as a whole.  Despite these constraints, we still want to celebrate with all of our Lurie College graduates this semester to recognize their accomplishments and perseverance, even if we must do so in a virtual environment.  Plans are underway for a live Lurie College of Education Graduation Celebration on Friday, May 22, at 4pm and we will send out an invitation with more detailed information to our graduates, faculty, and staff in the near future!

SJSU Lurie College Graduation Celebration Zoom Background

Lurie College Faculty Participates in Mental Health Panel

Shoutout to Department of Special Education faculty Saili Kulkarni, who recently participated in a panel on mental health, disability, and wellness in the Asian American community during COVID-19.  Check out the news coverage of the panel from the Spartan Daily and check out the Padlet of resources that Dr. Kulkarni compiled below!

SJSU Lurie College of Education Special Education Department Faculty Saili Kulkarni

Made with Padlet

Call for Nominations for Educators of Impact

COVID-19 has made it clear how critical educators are in our society.  Help us recognize SJSU Lurie College of Education alumni who have made a transformative difference in the lives of children, families, and communities!  Nominate an Educator of Impact at https://bit.ly/3eFjy8n

SJSU Lurie College of Education Alumni Irene Castillon

Lurie College Hardship Fund Requests and Contributions

Lurie College has a limited amount of grant funds available to support its students who have experienced an unforeseen financial hardship that will prevent them from continuing their enrollment at Lurie College and SJSU. Awards are processed fall and spring semesters only, but advisors are available year-round. If you are a currently-enrolled Lurie College undergraduate, graduate, credential, or doctoral student who has experienced this type of hardship, please complete this brief Google form so that a Lurie College advisor can contact you.

We’ve recently had two donors who have agreed to match additional contributions to the Lurie College Hardship Fund.  If you have the means to contribute to the fund, you can do so by visiting the Lurie College Giving webpage and indicating “Student Financial Hardship Grant” in the special instructions section.  Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated since they will become tripled after matching – $10 will become $30, $25 will become $75, $50 will become $150, etc.

SJSU Lurie College of Education Hardship Fund

Andrea Golloher Chosen to Spearhead the Use of DEC Recommended Practices for Young Children with Disabilities

SJSU Lurie College of Education Special Education Department Faculty Andrea Golloher

­­­­­Andrea Golloher will serve as a statewide “ambassador” to spearhead use of the DEC Recommended Practices for the care and education of young children with disabilities. Andrea Golloher, Assistant Professor of Special Education and the Associate Director of the Early Childhood Institute at San José State University’s Connie L. Lurie College of Education, is among 22 newly selected aPRy Ambassadors chosen to bring awareness and support to the dissemination and use of the DEC Recommended Practices (RPs) and the associated resources and tools. Ambassadors now reside in 24 states.

Andrea says, “As a faculty member preparing early childhood special education and training early childhood educators to support inclusive programs, I am very excited to be a part of the aRPy Ambassador Initiative. I look forward to learning more about the tools that have been developed and establishing a plan to promote the Recommended Practices in California”.

Continue Reading…

Lurie College Student Grants

Lurie College is pleased to offer several grant awards for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester and the 2020-2021 academic year to support our students!  Awards include:

  • Student-Research Awards:  Supports students to be mentored by a faculty mentor on a student-initiated research project.  Students can receive an award of $2,000 per semester and $4,000 a year.  The deadline to apply for these awards for the 2020-2021 academic year is Thursday, April 30, 2020, at 4pm via this Google form.  Learn about research projects by Department of Special Education graduate student Monica Gonzalez and Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences student James Chow who each received a student-research award for the 2019-2020 academic year.
  • Conference Travel Grant:  Provides financial support to its students who are presenting their research at conferences.  Undergraduate, graduate, credential, and doctoral students are eligible to apply for up to one $500 grant per fiscal year (July 1 – May 31) towards expenses for registration fees, travel, lodging, and meals.  A limited amount of funding is available.  To apply for a Lurie College Student Conference Travel Grant, please download and complete this brief form (PDF).  Learn from Lurie College Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences students Ali Murueta, Liz Cagle, and Michelle Ballou, who received a conference travel grant for the 2019-2020 academic year.  If your conference has recently been shifted to a virtual environment, you should still apply for this grant.
  • Student Research Supplies Grant:  Provides financial support to our students who are in need of supplies to conduct their academic research.  Undergraduate, graduate, credential, and doctoral students are eligible to apply for up to one $200 grant per fiscal year (July 1 – May 31) towards expenses for research supplies.  A limited amount of funding is available.  To apply for a Lurie College Student Research Supplies Grant, please download and complete this brief form (PDF).
  • Hardship Grant: Lurie College has a limited amount of grant funds available to support its students who have experienced an unforeseen financial hardship that will prevent them from continuing their enrollment at Lurie College and SJSU. If you are a Lurie College undergraduate, graduate, credential, or doctoral student who has experienced this type of hardship, please complete this brief Google form so that a Lurie College advisor can contact you to discuss this option as well as other possible campus resources.

 

SJSU Lurie College of Education Financial Aid Opportunities Spring 2020

Early Childcare Providers are on the Front Lines of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Please call your federally-elected official to ask for their support in providing emergency funding to maintain high-quality child care.

SJSU Associated Students Child Development Center

In order to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), schools have closed down across the region and the country, sending children of all ages home for extended periods of time.

Working parents are therefore facing unprecedented challenges in determining how to balance child care and work responsibilities. Those who are able to work from home must meet the needs of their children while remotely addressing responsibilities under rapidly evolving work conditions. Moreover, with the increased risks of exposure to coronavirus among older adults, grandparents may not be able to safely fill in as back-up caregivers.

With the economy reeling from the coronavirus crisis and the complications and consequences of hitting pause on the work of small and large businesses, schools, and other public entities, many employers and working parents will struggle to find a way through. While employers may allow some flexibility, it is clear that both working parents and the caregivers who support their children are critical to keeping the economy going.

Meanwhile, some parents simply must continue to work on site, including first responders (firefighters, police, nurses, etc.) and those deemed to be in essential roles. Importantly, the Santa Clara County Health Officer’s Shelter in Place Order recognizes childcare providers within this essential workforce, as their services enable other exempted employees to continue working.

As employers and employees throughout the region scramble to adjust to the shelter in place order and to flatten the curve, child care workers are being asked to serve on the front line of the coronavirus pandemic. This crisis highlights the importance of ECE providers to society and economic stability – not just now, but always. Meanwhile, these providers are themselves frequently living on the edge of economic security given persistent low wages. As a society, we need to recognize the importance of ECE providers. In light of this and other emergencies and natural disasters, resources should be provided directly to childcare providers, recognizing the role that they play in maintaining safe environments for children and facilitating adults’ continued involvement in the workforce. Furthermore, in order to maintain this workforce, they must be paid a worthy wage that not only keeps them out of poverty, but one that adequately compensates them for the role they play in society.

Written by the Early Childhood Institute (ECI) at San José State University, which is led by Dr. Andrea Golloher, Dr. Emily Slusser, and Dr. Maria Fusaro.  Recognizing the potential each and every child brings into the world, ECI promotes equitable and inclusive access to high-quality early learning experiences by collaborating with campus and community partners; advancing applied research; building the capacity of early childhood professionals; and advocating for professionals, young children, and their families.

Video Message from Dean Lattimer | March 18, 2020

Watch this video for a message from Dean Heather Lattimer following the announcement from SJSU that the Spring 2020 Commencement ceremonies have been postponed in response to COVID-19. Those who are eligible to complete their academic programs, apply for graduation (undergraduate) or candidacy (graduate), and fulfill all of their academic requirements will still graduate as planned. If you are experiencing a financial hardship during this time, please visit http://sjsu.edu/education/financial-aid to apply for a Lurie College of Education Hardship Grant.

“Creative Minds” provided royalty-free by bensound.com. Video edited by Brian Cheung Dooley.

Lurie College of Education Impresses in Best Graduate School Rankings

This story was originally posted on the SJSU Newsroom website by Robin McElhatton.

SJSU Lurie College of Education 2021 U.S. News & World Report

San Jose State’s Connie L. Lurie College of Education had an impressive showing in the 2021 U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.

The rankings, released on March 17, show the Lurie College placed in these four categories:

  • Tied for #2 among CSU schools of education
  • In the top 5 for schools of education in the Bay Area
  • Tied for #16 among schools of education in California
  • Debuted at #158 for best education schools in the country

“All of us in the Lurie College of Education are proud that we have been recognized for our efforts to prepare transformative educators, counselors, therapists, school and community leaders,” said Lurie College Dean Heather Lattimer. “We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners to expand our college’s opportunities and impact in the region!”

The magazine bases its ranking of best graduate schools of education on two types of data: reputational surveys of deans and other academic officials and statistical indicators that measure the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. They also assess both the preparedness of a school’s incoming students and the career or academic outcomes of a school’s graduates.

Job Postings for Lurie College Students from the SJSU Career Center

SJSU Lurie College of Education Communicative Disorders and Sciences Clinic

Although the SJSU Health & Human Services Job/Internship Fair has been postponed to the Fall 2020 semester, Seneca Family of Agencies, Uplift Family Services and Via West are recruiting now for the following jobs. Interested students are encouraged to apply no later than Friday, March 27, to be considered for these immediate openings!  Log into SJSU Handshake for details about the following job opportunities listed below.

Seneca Family of Agencies:

Uplift Family Services:

 Via West, Via Services:

Statement to SJSU Lurie College Students from Dean Heather Lattimer | March 17, 2020

Good evening Lurie College Students —

In response to the County of Santa Clara’s shelter-in-place order and President Papazian’s instructions, the Lurie College of Education is now fully virtual.  Although we are now in separate physical spaces, our staff and faculty continue to be very much present in our support for our students.  We care deeply about you, your academic success, and your physical, financial, and emotional well being.

Staying Connected — This sudden move to a “virtual university” is new territory for us too…. We’re working to create virtual spaces for collaboration and connection within and beyond courses (if you have ideas on how to make this happen, please send them our way!).  You can also stay connected by contacting any of the offices listed below.  This information is also listed on the contact page on our website — You may want to bookmark the page for future reference.  We’ve arranged for on-campus phone numbers to be forwarded to staff and faculty cell phones so that we can be available for you at any time.  Please reach out with questions, concerns, or suggestions.  We are here for you!

Getting Help — If you are experiencing concerns about your health and well being, food or housing insecurity, financial stress, or anxiety, you are not alone.  The traumas associate with this global pandemic are real and impact many in our community.  We want to help!
  • Our Lurie College of Education Student Success Center team is available by phone and email.  They are trained in a holistic support model and prepared to respond to a diverse range of concerns.
  • SJSU’s Student Health Center and Counseling and Psychological Services also offer a full range of services remotely.
  • For those experiencing food insecurity, the Spartan Food Pantry remains open (please check hours).
  • For tenants who are worried about being able to pay rent amidst the COVID-19 crisis, the Cities of San Jose and San Francisco have adopted a temporary ban on evictions; Governor Newsom is encouraging cities throughout the state of California to adopt similar policies. Please connect with the Student Success Center or SJSU Cares if you need help pushing back agains a landlord who is threatening eviction.
  • For those who are struggling to pay bills and stay in school, Lurie College offers “Hardship Grants”. These one-time grants can provide up to $500 to cover unanticipated expenses and help you stay on track toward your degree.  Thanks to some generous donors, we’ve been able to increase the amount available this spring.  Please don’t feel that you are alone if you are struggling.  Reach out.  We want to help!

Looking Ahead — There is a lot of uncertainty right now.  In her Monday evening message (below), Pres. Papazian announced that online instruction will continue through the end of the Spring 2020 semester.  We hope to be able open campus back up for face-to-face advising and events before then, but will need to follow the directions of our state and county officials.  We know that many of you, especially graduating seniors and final year graduate students, have been looking forward to commencement.  I’m hopeful that we will be able to celebrate commencement as currently scheduled on May 21, 2020.  You’ve worked hard, experienced much, and the pomp and circumstance of a commencement celebration is a well-earned rite of passage!  Unfortunately, I can’t yet promise that we’ll be able to hold an in-person commencement event on 5/21.  What I can promise however, is that when this is over (and that is a when – not an if), Lurie College will have a full-blown, in person commencement celebration …  and it will be awesome!

Lurie College is a family and we are all in this together!  Thank you for supporting one another over these last weeks and for your bravery in facing the adversity of this moment.  We are here for you. Please reach out and let us know how we can help.

With Gratitude — Heather

Heather Lattimer, EdD
Dean and Professor
Connie L. Lurie College of Education
San Jose State University