International House Renovations Bring New Life to Historic Space

by Rhoda Shapiro | Nov 25, 2024 | Featured

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Each semester, SJSU’s International House (I-House), located on S. 11th Street, accommodates residents from 20-35 countries worlwide.

In 1978, the International House (I-House) at San José State opened its doors for the first time to 40 students from all over the world.

46 years later, the beloved facility is now home to five resident advisors and 57 students representing about 20 different countries. Located at 360 S. 11st Street, the I-House is a special place that has sparked community and deep connections over the past several decades.

“When you’re in the International House, you just feel it. It has a soul. It has a very rich energy,” says Kevina Brown, a community relations specialist in SJSU’s housing department.

This past summer, the Facilities Development and Operations (FD&O) team at SJSU led the renovation of both the basement and second floor spaces of the I-House, offering the historic facility a refreshing transformation.

The project, which lasted all summer, consisted of the removal, relocation and disposal of furniture, supplies and antiques from both floors. Multiple pieces of bedroom furniture were also disassembled and disposed of.

In terms of structural work, there were replacements of frames and doors with ADA-compliant doors, locks and hardware upgrades on the second floor. Code-compliant electrical and plumbing upgrades also took place.

“Additional work included painting, flooring installation, cleaning light fixtures, and finishing stair floors, with specific attention to ADA signage and bathroom modifications to meet code requirements,” says Jill Knapp, a senior planner and interior design analyst for SJSU.

The renovations and updates were completed just in time for the start of the 2024 – 2025 school year.

“It was exciting to see the reactions of returning students to the changes,” says Maneesha Khandekar, a construction manager on the FDO team. “The newly updated spaces create a more welcoming and open environment, making better use of space and helping students feel at home.”

Steeped in history

I-House’s history begins with married couple Alan Simpkins, ’48 Condensed Matter Physics, and Phyllis Simpkins, ’46 Home Economics. During the course of their lives, they were unstoppable.

Both graduates of SJSU, the pair remained deeply devoted to their alma mater. Over the years, they donated over $10.8 million to the university, which was put toward entities like the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, the Simpkins Stadium Center, the Department of Kinesiology and the School of Music and Dance. In 1978, they also brought back SJSU’s marching band, which had been inactive for several years due to budget cuts.

One of the things the couple also did was build a new 25,000-square foot facility for Phyllis’ sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, in 1964. The sorority needed a chapter house, and the Simpkins generously answered the call.

After 14 years, the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority ended their chapter, and the building sat empty.

“It really crushed my mother,” says Diane Bordoni, the daughter of Alan and Phyllis.

Bordoni recalls how her mom and dad traveled to different locations around the country to try and figure out what purpose the house could serve.

Alan and Phyllis visited various campuses like Stanford University and saw that they had International Houses, where students from all over the world could make connections and live together under one roof. They instantly got inspired.

The Simpkins poured their energy into the space, envisioning all of the possibilities. They had it furnished and remodeled, and by 1978, it officially opened as an International House for San José State students.

The Simpkins owned the building for nearly two decades. Then in December 1997, a few months after Alan passed away, Phyllis donated the facility to the SJSU Research Foundation for continued use as the SJSU Phyllis Forward Simpkins International House.

“My parents were happy to have the experience of going to college,” says Bordoni. “They really felt the importance of community and having different cultures interacting with each other and appreciating different ideas.”

Something special

The recent renovation of the I-House has inspired students, staff and community members alike.

Nikita Bankar, ’25 Journalism, recently started her second school year as a residential advisor (RA) at the International House.

“My first year, I came in nervous about making friends because I didn’t know anyone,” says Bankar. “But I was excited to find out that at the I-House, I could make friends so fast. I’ve made a lot of really great connections here.”

Throughout the year, the International House hosts many different events to bring the community together in a spirit of connection and camaraderie. Their signature event is their International Pancake Breakfast, where residents wear traditional clothing from their countries of origin. Family and friends are invited to attend, and there are breakfast items from all around the world.

Every Tuesday, the International House also hosts coffee nights, as an opportunity for people to come and connect inside the space.

“We also host fun interactive events like board game night and snack night,” says Bankar. “We want the International House to be a fun, interactive place for students.”

Bankar also adds, “Despite all the changes in furniture, the paint, and the walls, the heart of the house is going to stay the same. We’re still going to keep this same community going.”

Mari Fuentes-Martin, vice president of student affairs, was thrilled by the smooth collaboration between the Housing and FD&O departments and the remarkable speed of the renovation.

“I’m very proud that I-House continues to have a presence on campus, celebrating international students and the interaction of international and domestic students on campus,” says Fuentes-Martin. “I’m proud we can continue the legacy of I-House with an updated living environment where people can be in community together.”

Michelle Kleeman has been assistant director of academic initiatives in SJSU’s housing department for the past two years. In her role, she oversees academic initiatives, bringing resources to students.

“There’s a lot of history in this house,” says Kleeman. “I hope this year to create a community that everyone is excited to be a part of. FDO has done great work in renovating and bringing the building up.”

Kleeman oversees all of the theme communities across SJSU’s housing facilities, which include the Black Scholars Floor, the Rainbow Village, the Arts Village, the Community for Engineering Living (CELL), and the Business Innovation and Leadership Development (BUILD). In January, the I-House moved under the housing department and became one of the theme communities.

Josh Baird, ’25 Materials Engineering, is spending his fifth semester in a row at I-House. Since his time in the house, he has formed a lot of close friendships.

“There aren’t many places in the world where you can live in a house where almost every person is from a different country,” he says. “With all these different cultures, it’s like a mini ecosystem. I-House is a really special place. ”

Learn more about the International House.