San José State is truly a treasure trove of incredible stories, and I’m proud of the role Washington Square: The Magazine plays in highlighting dozens of them.

There are many reasons why Silicon Valley companies hire SJSU graduates, but the number one reason, arguably, is the experiential learning opportunities offered here, including the ability to engage in research and creative activities as soon as students step on campus. This means students are gaining experience that puts the tests they take and the papers they write into practice in a way that impacts society. This expands beyond tech — as you see in this issue, it also includes areas like our Timpany Center, Hammer Theatre or Healthy Development Community Clinic.

Our faculty, staff and administration deserve a lot of credit for making this an environment conducive to lasting learning for our students. Just turn on your TV — frequently you will find one of our faculty members sharing their expertise about everything from wildfires to blockchain (see Ahmed Banafa’s profile on the digital version of this issue). But it isn’t just locally; our faculty are also called upon for interviews nationally and internationally.

I appreciate the team who is instrumental in making this an award-winning magazine. More than the certificates and recognition, it is about highlighting all the ways Spartans can discover all they can do at SJSU. This truly is an amazing place to learn, grow and succeed, and I hope that shines through in the (digital) pages of this magazine.

— Kenneth Mashinchi Managing Editor of Washington Square: The Magazine