The Talent Acquisition Team:
Where Talent Meets Opportunity
At San José State University, recruiting the right people is more than just filling positions, it’s about building the community that keeps the campus moving forward. Behind every job posting, candidate pool, and new hire is the Talent Acquisition Team, ensuring that every recruitment is handled with care, collaboration, and precision.
“Our work starts well before a job is posted,” says Rosalina Calderon, Interim Director of Talent Acquisition. “We guide departments through every step of the process to make sure the search is thoughtful, efficient, and equitable.”
The team’s work begins long before applications arrive. Every recruitment starts with a department’s Rationale to Recruit, a document that captures the position’s purpose, budget details, and strategic fit within the university. From there, the Talent Acquisition team partners with hiring managers to review position descriptions, confirm funding, and finalize job announcements for posting.
Once positions go live, collaboration continues. The team consults with search committees to ensure fairness and consistency, offering tools like applicant tracking spreadsheets and customized support throughout the process. They also coordinate with campus partners, including Budget and other University Personnel offices, to make sure all necessary approvals are secured and each hire moves forward smoothly.
Throughout the year, the team manages recruitments across the campus, supporting a wide variety of roles that reflect the diverse functions and talents within the university community. This year, 283 staff and MPP hires have been made as of November 20, an increase from 256 in 2024, showing steady growth across the university.
The team encourages departments to partner with them from the very beginning of the recruitment process. Early collaboration allows for stronger position descriptions, clear communication, and a smoother overall timeline. Their consultative approach helps departments design competitive postings, navigate approvals, and ultimately attract the best candidates for each role. It’s a process rooted in partnership and guided by SJSU’s values of equity and inclusion.
As Rosalina notes, recruiting is as much about people as it is about process. “Every hire has a ripple effect,” she says. “When we find the right fit, we’re helping a department succeed and strengthening the university as a whole.”
Talent Acquisition is also playing a key role in the new People-Centered Practice Onboarding Task Force, a collaborative effort with broad representation from multiple departments across campus. Together, the group is reimagining how new Spartans are welcomed and integrated into the university community.
The Talent Acquisition Team, connecting Spartans with purpose and opportunity. Pictured: Steven Lee, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Rosalina Calderon, Interim Director of Talent Acquisition, Amanda Frank, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist, Jessica Huerta Sousa, Talent Acquisition Specialist, and Jonathan Beene, Talent Acquisition Specialist