SJSU College of Humanities and the Arts

05/22/2026

“A part of feeling safe is being able to express ourselves without worrying about how others around us will react.”

Associate Professor Daniel Rivers shared their thoughts on SJSU’s 3rd annual Transgender Teach-In, where participants learned about the history of the transgender community and the impacts of the current global climate. https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

05/22/2026

’s “Long Story Short” workshops demonstrated that artistic expression does not require mastery, scale or certainty. The series featured workshops in two-minute plays, flash prose, mini zines and short films, each led by artists specializing in their respective forms—emphasizing the beneficial constraints of short-form work as a way to make artistic practice more accessible.

Read more in the Spring 2026 Expressions newsletter: https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

05/21/2026

“I really want to give students an opportunity to shine,” says Phuong-Trang Vu, ’27 Pictorial Art. The Student Art Showcase invited all SJSU students to share and promote their art—including digital illustrations, photography, pottery and pastel art.

Learn about the exhibit’s creation and the importance of facilitating accessible spaces for artists: https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

05/21/2026

“All stories are grief stories,” says author Venita Blackburn. At a CLA event, Blackburn read from her latest novel Dead in Long Beach, California.

In the Spring 2026 Expressions newsletter, read “Grief on the Page” to learn how writing about grief and loss can help to navigate emotional experiences. https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

05/19/2026

“This country has always been multilingual. And to deny it, to me, is a real injustice,” says Associate Professor David Malinowski. Translate San José is a year-long collaborative research and workshop-based project focused on the impact of language within the city.

From political action and urban planning to classroom experiences and digital maps, project participants explore the importance of linguistic representation. Read more in the Spring 2026 Expressions newsletter: https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

05/19/2026

“We’re giving voice to people who don’t typically get the ‘big play,’” says Assistant Professor Will Detlefsen.

Wolf Play’s cast and crew are shattering the molds of storytelling to unleash their own, authentic creative voices. Read more in the Spring 2026 Expressions feature, “I am Not What You See.” https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

05/18/2026

H&A proudly presents the Spring 2026 Expressions newsletter, our 50th edition! From powerful performances and live readings to teach-ins, art showcases and explorations of linguistic diversity, Expressions showcases how students and faculty members are creating spaces where everyone is empowered to be their true selves and pursue their passions. Check out this new collection of stories centered on themes of home, authenticity and belonging: https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

Artistic Excellence Programming Grants help amplify the voices shaping the community.

04/22/2026

The College of Humanities and the Arts is excited to be part of SJSU's 1857 Minutes of Giving! Though the campaign will be ending today, you can help us achieve our crowdfunding goal through April 30th. Make a lasting impact at San José State, every contribution counts! https://give.sjsu.edu/schools/SanJoseStateUniversity/1857-minutes-of-giving/pages/humanitiesandarts/deans-fund/?a=12424785 .ha

Make every minute count for SJSU students—join me in giving today!

01/22/2026

H&A is excited to share the Winter 2025 issue of Expressions featuring profiles of five new faculty members who are redefining artistry, scholarship and community at San Jose Staté.

Welcome to , Grant Knox, Andreas P. Bassett, Emmie Malone, Will Detlefsen, and Althea Rao!

Together, these stories display how the humanities and the arts empower students to think critically, create boldly, and lead with empathy.

Read the Winter 2025 Expressions, written and produced by the student marketing team. Link: https://www.sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php

12/19/2025

From the rehearsal room to the stage, the cast of SJSU’s production of Company showcases the importance of community both on stage and off.

Get a deeper insight into the production process of putting together a show through the perspectives of a director, stage manager and actor.

Read about the cast and crew’s experiences in Company in the latest Expressions newsletter. Read here: https://sjsu.edu/humanitiesandarts/about-us/expressions.php