Spring 2025 issue of Washington Square: The Magazine

I’m thrilled to share the spring 2025 issue of Washington Square: The Magazine, a publication of San José State University. This issue centers on student success, and includes such stories as:

• Big Idea: What Does Student Success Mean to You? The magazine staff turned to members of our community to ask: What does student success mean?

• Physics 2A Proves That Learning Can Be Fun 
  Students in the reformed physics course Physics 2A taught by Physics and Astronomy Professor Cassandra Paul and others are learning physics concepts dynamically in an active learning environment.

• Transforming Longing into Belonging
  How can nurturing a sense of belonging contribute to student success at SJSU? Academic advisors and identity centers have helped Spartans of all backgrounds feel that they belong.

• Grace Vincent: A Force of Nature

  Grace Vincent, ’25 Aviation, is the first ROTC cadet from SJSU to be commissioned as a lieutenant through the new Space Force exclusive pipeline.

• Rhymes, Reasons and Radicals: That Math Teacher Makes Magic

  Also known as “That Math Magician,” Deer Valley High School math and leadership teacher Jordan Orosco, ’17 Math, Teaching Credential, earned an Emmy for his educational math raps.

• Analyss Benally: The Fundamentals of Giving Back

  Analyss Benally, ’21 Communication Studies, plays basketball professionally abroad and leads camps for Native and Indigenous basketball players in the U.S.

• First Person: Brian Maurer

  For Brian Maurer, ‘26 Communication Studies, who lives with autism, success is showing up on campus and connecting with others.

• Story Makes History: Spartan Grad Student Paves the Way for Free Community College Tuition

  Cade Story-Yetto, ’25 MA Higher Education Leadership, helped pass a law to make community college free in the West Valley Mission Community College District. How many more students will succeed when granted free tuition?

This is the second issue to which I’ve served as managing editor, and the 17th to which I’ve contributed features and profiles. It’s always a pleasure to learn more about the amazing people at SJSU who are working hard to make the world a better place.