Anthropology Department- San Jose State

12/16/2025

Professor Roberto González recently published a guest editorial for the journal Human Organization. Check it out here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00187259.2025.2585410?src=

10/16/2025

🌟 Student Spotlight: Erin Nicholson, ’26 Anthropology 🌟

Congratulations to Erin Nicholson, the first-ever SJSU recipient of the Donald A. Strauss Scholarship Foundation award! 🎉

Through her project, “Giving Voice to Wisdom,” Erin is documenting the oral histories of Japanese Americans whose families were incarcerated during World War II. By preserving these powerful stories, she is helping to ensure that experiences of resilience, identity, and community are never forgotten.

Erin’s work exemplifies what applied anthropology is all about: connecting people, honoring lived experiences, and using storytelling to inspire understanding and social change. 💙💛

Read more about Erin’s inspiring work in SJSU’s Washington Square Magazine:
🔗 sjsu.foleon.com/washington-square-magazine/fall-2025-sjsu-magazine/erin-nicholson

SPARTAN SPOTLIGHTGiving Voice to WisdomBy Julia Halprin Jackson Photography by Robert C. BainSPARTAN SPOTLIGHTGiving Voice to WisdomBy Julia Halprin Jackson Photography by Robert C. BainErin Nicholson is the first SJSU Strauss Foundation Scholar.Erin Nicholson, ’26 Anthropology, is the first Spart...

10/01/2025

🌟 Student Spotlight: Congratulations to Sammer Abu AlRagheb! 🌟

We are thrilled to announce that Sammer Abu AlRagheb, M.A. student in Applied Anthropology at San José State University, has been awarded the Graduate Equity Fellowship (GEF) for 2025–2026! 🎉 The GEF supports students in pursuit of their master’s degree while also fostering mentorship and diversity in higher education.

Beyond the classroom, Sammer’s graduate journey includes leading-edge fieldwork through the Labora Expedition, a visual anthropological exploration of Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean art in the Caribbean. Sailing aboard the historic vessel Labora, Sammer conducted ethnographic research in Guadeloupe, Marie Galante, and Dominica, immersing in festivals, documenting Creole cultural traditions, and building community relationships through hands-on fieldwork.

Sammer’s master's project will culminate in a short documentary on preserving Afro-Caribbean and Indigenous art, with hopes of exhibiting the work at the Memorial Acte Museum in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe. 🌍🎥

We are proud of Sammer’s achievements and excited to see how this fellowship and his fieldwork shape his future contributions to anthropology. 💙💛

09/29/2025

📢 New Publication from SJSU Anthropology & Community Partners 📢

We are proud to share the recently published article:
“Reclamation: Developing a Museum Exhibit with, by, and for a Descendant Community.”

Co-authored by Roberto J. González (current faculty), Jan English-Lueck (emerita), Alan Leventhal (emeritus), Monica V. Arellano, and Charlene C. Nijmeh of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, this piece documents the creation of the collaborative museum exhibit "Reclamation: Resilience of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe".

The exhibit (New Museum of Los Gatos, Nov 2022–May 2023) was developed “with, by, and for” the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, highlighting their resilience, ongoing fight for federal recognition, and the power of collaboration between descendant communities, museums, and universities.

📖 Read the full article here: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08884552.2025.2560012

Congratulations to the authors for advancing community-based anthropology and bringing critical public awareness to the history and resilience of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe.

09/29/2025

📚🌍 Earlier this month, SJSU Anthropology Professor Roberto González presented his book "War Virtually" at the 34th Economic Forum in Karpacz, Poland, an event co-hosted by the Foundation Institute of Eastern Studies and the University of Warsaw, with more than 6,000 attendees this year.

Professor González was interviewed by Polish journalist and author Agnieszka Lichnerowicz of Polityka magazine, sharing insights from his research on technology, warfare, and society.

👏 Congratulations, Roberto, on representing SJSU Anthropology on the international stage!

09/25/2025

🏝️✨ Adventure + Anthropology in Action! ✨🏝️

This summer SJSU students joined Dr. Marco Meniketti and Alisha Ragland, Repatriation Coordinator and Tribal Liaison, in Nevis for a hands-on field school. 🌍⛏️

The Nevis field school offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect classroom learning with real-world practice by blending research, history, and community. 📚✨💙💛

09/25/2025

🍂✨ Welcome, Fall 2025 Spartans! ✨🍂

We are excited to officially welcome our newest cohort of graduate students in the M.A. in Applied Anthropology Program at San José State University! 🎉

This dynamic group of scholars is ready to dive into research, community engagement, and applied work that makes a difference both locally and globally. 🌍💡

Please join us in congratulating and celebrating the Fall 2025 Applied Anthropology cohort, we can’t wait to see all the ways you’ll shape the future of anthropology at SJSU and beyond! 💙💛

07/02/2025

This June, Dr. Roberto González participated in a series of invited workshops and talks overseas, at universities in Antwerp (Belgium), Utrecht (Netherlands), and Warsaw (Poland).

He shared his critical perspectives on militarized AI and the tech industry with students, researchers, legal scholars, and policymakers.

👏 Way to represent the department, RG!

02/25/2025

🚀 Exciting News from the Intersection of Anthropology, Design, Engineering, and Occupational Therapy!

Dr. Erika Carrillo, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology and PI of the project Smart Move, is focused on tackling a critical challenge: improving mobility for people with dementia.

By integrating human-centered research and innovative design, the interdisciplinary team Dr. Carrillo is working with is focused on creating a cutting-edge assistive robotic mobility device that will not only address the unique mobility needs of individuals with dementia, but also aid those who provide care for them.

Congratulations Dr. Carrillo and team on receiving the CSU Interagency Grant Award for STEM-NET SEED Grant for San José State University!

Peter Torre (Principal Investigator) Professor School of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences College of Health and Human Services

02/07/2025

🌿✨ Join us for an evening of art and culture with a two-movie screening and lecture, featuring the graduate work of Jillian Ferini. 🎥

🗓 Wednesday, Feb. 12th | 6-7:45 PM
📍 Industrial Studies Building, Room 165, SJSU Ceramics Lab

Open to all SJSU students! Don't miss this opportunity to engage with history, artistry, and community preservation.

02/06/2025

✨ Join us for a series of events where skateboarding, mental well-being, and creativity collide to build a stronger, supportive community! 🌟

🛹 Skate Jam
📅 Feb 9 | 12:00 - 3:00 PM
📍 Roosevelt Skatepark, San Jose
Open to everyone—let's skate together!

🧠 The Ben Raemers Foundation: Skateboarding & Mental Well-Being
📅 Feb 10 | 1:30 - 3:00 PM
📍 SJSU Campus, Student Union (or Zoom)
Everyone’s welcome—let's talk mental health & skate culture.

✍️ Writing Towards Well-Being
📅 Feb 11 | 1:30 - 2:45 PM
📍 Clark Hall, Room 202 (SJSU Students only)
For students looking to explore writing and well-being—bring your pens, paper, or laptops!

Whether you love skating, creative writing, or are passionate about mental health, these events are for YOU! 💙 Share with anyone who might be interested.

01/21/2025

Dr. Marco Meniketti was awarded First Place in the GMAC Diversity Field School competition by the Society for Historical Archaeology during their conference in New Orleans. The award acknowledges outstanding commitment to diversity in archaeological practices, research, and participation. The SJSU Nevis Heritage Landscape Project was also recognized for the diversity and inclusion of student participation.

The photograph, from left to right: President of the Society, Richard Veit, Marco Meniketti receiving the certificate, Awards Committee Chair and past President, Joe Joseph.