As home to 40,000 students and nearly 5,000 staff members, San José State is essentially a city of its own within the heart of downtown San José. It takes an entire village of dedicated faculty and staff to serve the unique needs of a diverse community.
Each spring, SJSU honors four extraordinary staff and four outstanding faculty for their service and commitment to the university. This special occasion honors our dedicated faculty and staff who have reached milestone years of service in 2025, beginning at 10 years. This year’s honorees will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 8, from 2 – 5 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom.
2025-2026 President’s Scholar: Ehsan Khatami
Ehsan Khatami. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Physics and Astronomy Professor Ehsan Khatami grew up in Iran and received his PhD in physics from the University of Cincinnati in 2009. After several research positions at Louisiana State University, Georgetown University, UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis, he joined SJSU in 2014. He has been a Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics Scholar and Fellow since 2016. In 2018, he was awarded SJSU Research Foundation’s Early Career Investigator Award, and last year, was named Dean’s Scholar in the College of Science.
“II am very honored to have received this recognition,” he says. “Research is my passion, and I love to see my students grow and learn to follow their curiosity too. I love to show up to work everyday, be surrounded by caring smart people who inspire me and support me in my pursuit of science. Thank you, Spartans, for being the strong inclusive community that you are!”
The President’s Scholar Award recognizes a faculty member who has achieved widespread recognition based on the quality of scholarship, performance or creative activities. Khatami will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon.
2025-2026 Outstanding Professor: Mary Currin-Percival
Mary Currin-Percival. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Mary Currin-Percival is associate professor of political science, director of the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (IPACE), director of SJSU Votes, and SJSU Student Civic and Voter Empowerment coordinator. She is also the faculty advisor for the award-winning Epsilon Iota Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, faculty advisor for Student Homes Coalition, and the Political Science Internship coordinator. She teaches courses in U.S. and California politics, political science research methods, political participation, state politics, the U.S. presidency, and a senior seminar on campaign advertising.
She is a first-gen college student and is proud to have been educated at a California community college, a CSU, and a UC. She and her spouse (and colleague) Garrick are the proud parents of two amazing kids.
“It is an honor and a privilege to work with our incredible students,” she says. “As a first-gen college student who navigated college and graduate school through hard work, exceptional mentoring, financial aid, and some luck, I don’t underestimate the potential impact I can have on students. My mentors changed my life; they made me believe that I could have this career. I hope to be there for my students as my mentors were there for me. My advice to Spartans is to celebrate this amazing university experience and take care of each other.”
Currin-Percival will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon. The Outstanding Professor Award recognizes a professor for excellence in teaching effectiveness and service to the San José State campus community.
2025-2026 Outsanding Lecturer: Ahmed Banafa
Ahmed Banafa. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Ahmed Banafa teaches interdisciplinary engineering in the College of Engineering at San José State and is a recognized expert in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies. He is the author of 11 books on AI and advanced computing, and has received multiple awards for his contributions to education and innovation. Banafa is frequently invited to provide expert commentary for national and international media outlets on the societal and economic impact of emerging technologies
“I feel deeply honored and grateful. Teaching at San José State University is something I truly value, and receiving this recognition means a lot to me,” he says. “It reflects not only my work, but also the incredible students I have the privilege to teach — students who challenge ideas, ask tough questions, and bring so much energy into the classroom every day.
“What I love most is the moment when students connect theory with real-world impact. Whether we are talking about artificial intelligence, cybersecurity or new technologies, I enjoy helping students see how these ideas can shape industries, economies and even the future of society. Watching students grow, gain confidence and discover their potential is the most rewarding part of being a professor.
“My message [to Spartans] is simple: stay curious and never stop learning. The world is changing rapidly, especially with technologies like AI, and the opportunities are enormous for those who are willing to explore and innovate. As Spartans, we should be bold in our thinking, responsible in how we use technology and committed to creating solutions that benefit society.”
Banafa will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon. The Outstanding Lecturer Award recognizes a lecturer for excellence in teaching effectiveness and service to the San José State campus community.
2025-2026 Distinguished Service Award: Karthika Sasikumar
Karthika Sasikumar. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Karthika Sasikumar is a professor in the Political Science Department at SJSU. She teaches courses in international relations and comparative politics and served as chair of the Academic Senate from 2023 to 2025.
“Ever since I stepped on campus 16 years ago, I felt at home here,” she says. “In a time where immigrants and higher education are under attack, as an international faculty member I’m grateful to be part of a system where my contributions are valued. My service activities, which were recognized with the Distinguished Service Award this year, are my way of giving back to the SJSU community. “
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a faculty member for exemplary service in a leadership capacity to the university and/or community or profession that brings credit to San José State University. Sasikumar will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon.
Spartan Spirit Award: Sonya Vyas
Honorable mentions: Richard Hernandez, ’21 BA, ’26 MA Communication Studies, Connie L. Lurie College of Education; Roselia Lobato-Morales, Office of the Registrar
Sonya Vyas. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Sonya Vyas is the assistant director of the College of Health and Human Sciences Student Success Center at San José State University, where she has grown through multiple advising roles over the past four years. She is known for her dedication to mentoring new advisors and connecting students to holistic, equity-centered support across campus. A collaborative leader, Vyas actively partners with campus and community groups to foster belonging and student success. As both a staff member and counseling and guidance graduate student at SJSU, she proudly embodies Spartan Spirit in all that she does.
“It’s incredibly humbling to be recognized in this way, and it reflects the collective care and dedication of the Spartan community that has shaped me,” she says. “What I love most about my work is our students: Their courage, curiosity and growth remind me every day why this work matters. I believe the Spartan spirit lives in how we show up for one another, and when we invest in each other’s growth, we create a campus where everyone can thrive.”
The purpose of this award is to honor a San José State staff member, manager, or auxiliary employee who displays exceptional Spartan spirit and pride. Vyas will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon.
Distinguished Service Award (Staff): Catherine Dougherty
Honorable mentions: Elena Seto, ’94 Biological Science, Library Resource Management and Delivery; Christine Marie Holmes, ’95 MLIS
Catherine Dougherty. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Catherine Dougherty has worked at San José State for more than 20 years supporting graduate programs in the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business. She earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree from SJSU and was a student-athlete during her undergraduate years. Her work supports graduate students from admission through graduation.
“It’s truly an honor to receive this recognition,” she says. “I’ve been fortunate to work with wonderful colleagues from all across campus and with amazing students at San José State University, and I enjoy helping students navigate their path through graduate school.”
The purpose of this award is to honor an SJSU staff member or an auxiliary staff member who has worked for San José State University for more than 10 years and has displayed a commitment to excellent service to the campus community. Dougherty will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon.
Critical Employee: Brenjielyn Cuneta
Honorable mentions: Mathew J. Buchanan, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories; Sonia Lizama-Orduña, Case Management
Brenjielyn Cuneta. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Brenjielyn “Brenj” Cuneta serves as the senior basic needs and community engagement coordinator for SJSU Cares, where she also oversees operations at the Spartan Food Pantry, which serves over 4,000 students annually. Over the last four years in Student Affairs, she has used data and student feedback to make assistance more accessible and efficient. From leading early morning shipments to managing student assistants, coordinating with both campus and community partners, Cuneta ensures the Pantry runs smoothly and meets student needs. Guided by a mission of service, she finds fulfillment in contributing to students’ well-being and working with people who share the same passion for caring for students.
“I feel incredibly humbled to receive this recognition, especially knowing there are so many amazing people on campus who do so much and also care so much for our students. It means a lot to me to have been nominated and selected for this award. While it reaffirms the work I do and have done, more than anything, it leaves me feeling motivated, energized, and inspired to do even more in supporting and advocating for our students’ well-being.”
The purpose of this award is to honor an SJSU staff or auxiliary staff member who shines behind the scenes to support our campus. Cuneta will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon.
Staff of the Year: Andrea Tully
Honorable mentions: Jinni Pradhan; Center for Asian Pacific Islander Student Empowerment (CAPISE); Laura Osborne, Lucas College and Graduate School of Business
Andrea Tully. Photo: Robert C. Bain.
Andrea Tully, M.Ed., is the assistant director of the Center for Community Learning and Leadership. She provides leadership for the advancement of service learning and community engaged learning (CEL) curriculum and projects on campus and within the community. For more than a decade, her work has focused on building and sustaining community partnerships, fostering long-term collaborations between the university and community-based organizations.
Working with faculty, she’s supported the development, implementation and assessment of numerous community engaged courses. She is a co-editor of “Reframing Community Engagement in Higher Education,” which addresses the assumptions and challenges inherent with community engagement as a catalyst for developing students’ sense of civic responsibility at a time of rampant polarization, as well as co-primary investigator and project director on more than $8 million in grant funding that directly benefits SJSU students and the local community.
“I am honored to receive the SJSU Staff of the Year Award and proud of the strong infrastructure the Center for Community Learning and Leadership team has built to support service-learning and community-engaged learning at SJSU,” she says. “This work is never done alone. It is only possible through thoughtful, sustained collaboration and to me, this recognition reflects the collective efforts of the students, faculty, colleagues and community partners with whom I have the privilege of working alongside. I may, as my team tells me, ‘captain the ship,’ but it is never simply me, it’s always we.”
This award recognizes an exemplary SJSU staff or auxiliary staff member who has made a valuable contribution to the campus in the past three years. Tully will be honored on April 8 at the Celebrating Spartans luncheon.