February 2026 A&F Times
February Column
As this new spring semester gets underway, I’m looking forward to the year ahead with both optimism and gratitude for our campus. On January 20th, we welcomed Dr. Michael E. Spagna to campus as the next President of Sonoma State University. President Spagna has hit the ground running in his first few weeks on campus, meeting with many of our students, faculty and staff, and attending a number of campus events. He also outlined his vision for SSU in a recent press conference with local media, which includes plans for continued program development, community engagement, and a further study into Athletics feasibility. (If you missed it, you can read the recap on SSU News.)
Additionally, with the launch of the San Francisco Bay Region Network (SFBRN) on January 30th, we are entering a new era of how we operate - one that is focused on collaboration, innovation, and excellence. I am so appreciative of the work that has already been done, and especially for the efforts of our team members who have adjusted to new roles, processes, and technologies so seamlessly. To navigate such profound change while continuing to deliver outstanding service to our campus community is no small feat, and a testament to the great work of our team here at Sonoma State.
As we continue to emphasize innovation and collaboration, I encourage you all to engage in conversations with your teams to discuss opportunities for business process improvement, increasing efficiency, or strengthening support for student success. We all have the ability as staff and leaders in A&F to make a positive difference in the lives of our campus community, and I am eager to continue on this mission with each of you.
With gratitude,
What's Happening on Campus
Cooking Up Fun @ the Kitchens
The Culinary Services team is spicing things up this semester with both new and returning events!
First up, the return of $5 Fridays! The first one will take place Friday, February 13th from 11am-2pm at the Kitchens. Don't miss this chance to enjoy all the Kitchens has to offer, at a price that can't be beat!
The 7th Annual Chili Cook Off will take place Thursday, February 19th from 11am-2pm at the Kitchens. This spicy showdown is one of our favorite traditions. Guests will once again have the chance to grab a tray, sample a variety of unique, flavorful chilis, and cast their vote for the ultimate Chili Champion. With past favorites like “Fire House,” “Toot Toot,” and “Yo Ho Yo Ho,” we can’t wait to see what creative and bold flavors our culinary team brings to the table this year! Whether you’re a spice lover or just here for the vibes, this event is not to be missed. Come taste, vote, and be a part of one of our tastiest campus traditions.
Black Joy Fest
Resilience, resistance, and perseverance have been focal points of Black liberation, but there’s a more positive side, too: Black liberation is about Black folks experiencing joy. As influential “joymakers” put it, Black people have always experienced joy, even long before a more recent visible movement started highlighting joy online and in real life. The Black Joy Celebration aims to promote unity on campus, celebrate the journey and progression of Black history, as well as engage in cross-cultural exchange. The event takes place Thursday, February 19th from 12-1:30pm in Ballroom A. For more information, contact [email protected].
Welcome the Lunar New Year
Join ASAP and the Hub for a celebration to welcome in the year of the Horse on Wednesday, February 25th from 2-4pm in Seawolf Plaza. Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year across many Asian cultures. While it is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, it is also widely celebrated in Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Mongolia, Tibet, and in Asian communities around the world. The celebration typically spans multiple days and marks a time of renewal, family reunions, and cultural traditions.
Get to Know the SFBRN
The San Francisco Bay Region Network is now live! Phase 1 services, which include Information Technology, Procurement and Accounts Payable, are operating through the Network. This marks an important step forward in how shared services are delivered across Cal State East Bay, San Francisco State University, and Sonoma State University.
Need support? The Network Support Center (NSC) is your starting point for Network-related questions, issues, or requests. Using the NSC helps ensure your request is routed to the appropriate team and tracked for timely follow-up. We invite you to explore the Network’s updated website, which houses the Network Support Center along with additional resources and information, including a one-page reference guide. As teams continue to align across campuses, some services, processes, and response paths may look different. Thank you for your patience as we stabilize and refine operations, and please consider completing the Pulse Survey to share your experience and insights.
Seawolves Supporting Heart Health
On Friday, February 6th, Sonoma State faculty, staff, and students wore red in honor of "National Wear Red Day". This annual groundswell unites millions of people for a common goal: saving more women’s lives. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Wear red to be seen, to be counted, to be heard, and to make an impact. Together, we are stronger than heart disease and stroke. For more information, visit the Go Red for Women website.
Shoutouts!
Thank you to the Electrical Team (Josh Gillespie, Noah Fell, Jack Ell, Dan Kizirian, Kurt Parks, and Project Supervisor Frank Nides) for their knowledge, diligence, and high-quality work during the campus and housing electrical operations completed over winter break, December 26–31, in support of Sonoma State University. Despite the holiday timing, the team remained professional and responsive while supporting system shutdowns, inspections, generator and ATS verification, and the safe restoration of campus electrical systems critical to the University and its community. Your willingness to give up personal time ensured all systems were restored successfully and functioning as intended for Sonoma State University as a whole.
Shoutout to Tyrone McCarter, who did an amazing job on the project power-washing the hallways in the Art building. The creativity, effort, and teamwork necessary to complete this job really show that you take pride in your work. Preparing something like this for the start of school takes focus and cooperation, and makes such a positive impact on the experience of our students!
Kudos to the Landscaping Team for their efforts to remove the Ivy in front of Shultz (Lucy side) in preparation for the 25th anniversary celebration. Over a two day project David Hudkins, Rob Cunnigham, George Atkinson, Jack Pieper, Britta Baskerville, Gabriel Fowler, and Eddie Wandrey worked tirelessly on removing dysfunctional and problematic Ivy. The next phase of the plan is to rescape and terrace the area with Azaleas and Rhododendrons to brighten up the exterior and provide a joyful and welcoming atmosphere.
Anniversaries!
Celebrated Anniversaries in December
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Jacob Hornsby | Information Technology |
| Erykah Carlo | Payroll and Benefits |
| Paige Berendsen | Payroll and Benefits |
| Ryan Fasano | Entrepreneurial Activities |
| Melissa Castro | Conference & Event Services |
| Nader Oweis | University Police |
| Noah Fell | Operations & Engineering |
| Jenna Hennessy | Student Center Operations |
| Hayley Avery | University Budget & Resource Planning |
| Karl Mortenson | University Police |
| Mira Aceves | Network Security & Communication Services |
| Missy Brunetta | Risk Management & Safety Services |
| Amanda McGowan | IT Project Management Office |
| Jon Boehlke | Enterprise Infrastructure Services |
| Mark Harlin | Accounting/Financial Reporting |
Celebrated Anniversaries in January
| Name | Department |
|---|---|
| Alec Rich | Environmental Health & Safety |
| Brian Wichert | Conference & Event Services |
| Jason Carrillo | Operations & Engineering |
| Tracie Schroeder | Contracts & Procurement |
| Ann-lise Fitting | Financial Aid |
| Kristin Hillman | Accounting/Financial Reporting |
| Nicholas Courter | Accounts Payable |
| Travis Vining | Housekeeping |
| Violeta Murillo Gonzalez | Housekeeping |
| Honami Jordan | Mail & Receiving |
| Ivonne Mejia Berzunza | IT Project Management |
| Jeffrey Floyd | Univeristy Police |
| Cristian Leon | Housekeeping |
| Maria Alves | Housekeeping |
| Edward Wandrey | Landscaping |
| John Rader III | Landscaping |
| Eanna McBrien | Operations & Engingeering |
| James Doherty | Landscaping |
| Saul Razo Aguilar | Kitchens |
| Debra Gordon | Talent Acquisition & Workforce Administration |
| Erin Taylor | Employee Relations & Compliance Services |
| Leslie Johnston | Student Financial Services |
| Carmen Diaz Misa | Financial Aid |
| Frank Nides | Capital Planning, Design & Construction |
| Christopher Hendry | Entrepreneurial Activities |
| Johna Shiflet | Accounting/Financial Reporting |