College of Social Sciences

Outstanding Graduating

Senior - Katelyn Gambarin

A dedicated champion of civic engagement, Katelyn Sofia Gambarin, ’26 Political Science, has maintained an impressive 3.89 GPA while serving in multiple leadership roles across campus, including president and CEO of Associated Students. From lobbying elected officials in Sacramento and Washington D.C. on issues impacting California State University students to collaborating with organizations like SJSU Votes, the Institute of Public Affairs and Civic Engagement and the Filipino Alumni Network, Gambarin has contributed to university life and served as a voice for students. An active member of Alpha Xi Delta, Order of Omega and Pi Sigma Alpha, Gambarin also served the greater community through internships with California State Assemblymember Ash Kalra and with Representative Zoe Lofgren in her Washington, D.C. office. An advocate for students at the institutional, state and national levels, Gambarin has lobbied elected officials on issues such as affordability, Title IX and financial aid.

Jesus Guerrero

‘20 Chicano and Chicana Studies, CoSS Advisory Board Member

Jesus Guerrero loves both technology and community. They graduated from San Jose State University in 2020 with a B.A. in Chicana and Chicano Studies and a minor in Computer Science. Born in Modesto, California, Guerrero moved around a lot growing up — first to Idaho, then to Ontario (California, not Canada), Pomona, Stockton, and finally San Jose. Across the many cities Guerrero lived in, they noticed how school demographics and school resources went hand-in-hand. The biggest difference between schools with a majority white population and schools with a majority Latinx population was the technology available to them. Now, they are working to bring technology access to the community and teach others how to use it to its full potential. Guerrero is the operations manager at StreetCode Academy, a nonprofit providing free tech education and resources to the community. They also serve on the board of the New Leaders Council Chapter of Silicon Valley and on the advisory board of the College of Social Sciences at SJSU, and are a former board member of the Internet Society of Silicon Valley. Guerrero also supports a variety of Bay Area nonprofits on technology projects, including Dreamer's Roadmap, the Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley, and We Are Levantar. 

Regalia

Commencement exercises like today’s ceremony date from the Middle Ages and the traditions of Europe’s first universities. Our graduates and members of the platform party are wearing regalia — robes, hoods and caps — that are likely adapted from the clothing of medieval priests or friars. Spot the differences in the gowns:

• Presidential gown is adorned with four bars, representing the Office of the President.
• Doctoral gown has velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars on each of the bell-shaped sleeves. The color of the velvet may indicate the academic discipline.
• Master’s gown may be worn open and has long sleeves with slits above the elbow.
• Bachelor’s gown has a closed front and long, pointed sleeves.

Draped over the shoulders, the hood evolved from a priest’s cowl and was often used to carry items — the first backpack, perhaps. The lining colors signify the college or university granting the degree. At San José State, the hood is gold, blue and white. The monk’s skullcap became the mortarboard cap or tam. Black is the accepted cap color in the United States, but many foreign universities have colorful headdresses.

Tassels vary in use and color. At SJSU, the color of tassels for bachelor’s degree candidates represent each college. The color for the College of Social Sciences is cream.

The Ceremonial Mace

An ornamental staff or scepter, the mace is carried by officials as part of formal parliamentary or academic ceremonies. A gift from the Tower Foundation of SJSU, the university’s ceremonial mace was designed and created by Art and Art History Lecturer Yvonne Escalante, ’13 MFA Spatial Arts . She found inspiration for the design in both SJSU history and the paths students take to reach graduation.

Hail, Spartans, Hail!

Hail, Spartans, Hail! — Hail, gold, blue and white!

We pledge our hearts and hands to keep thy colors ever bright.

Forward we go! We will not fail!

Sing to our Alma Mater,

Hail! Hail! Hail!