Alumni Resources
Stay Connected!
Lurie College of Education alumni can take advantage of the numerous opportunities to actively participate in the continued growth of the college!
Connect with us to:
- learn about continued professional development
- volunteer to participate in college activities (alumni panel, mentoring, etc.)
- share your professional highlights - we want to showcase your work!
- receive updates on alumni events and networking opportunities
Complete the alumni update form today!
Celebration of Alumni Excellence
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 4th Annual Celebration of Alumni Excellence!
In a time when the field of education continues to evolve, it was inspiring to come together with alumni who are making an impact in classrooms, counseling offices, clinics, and beyond. The event provided a meaningful opportunity to reconnect, share knowledge, celebrate both small and significant wins, and reignite our collective passion for supporting students and communities.
If you are interested in learning more, and for ways to get involved next year, please contact janene.perez@sjsu.edu
Photography: Florian Pilsl
Past Events
Extra Yard for Teachers
Lurie College proudly partners with SJSU Athletics and the College Football Playoff Foundation to honor the outstanding impact of our alumni teachers through the Extra Yard for Teachers program. In collaboration with DonorsChoose, selected educators receive grant funding to support innovative classroom projects. Nominations are accepted year-round, with submissions received after June 1 considered for recognition in the following year. Nominate an alumni teacher today!
Lurie College Distinguished Alumni
Each year, Lurie College proudly recognizes an outstanding alum who exemplifies our core values through community-engaged, culturally sustaining, holistic, and interdisciplinary work. Explore the inspiring achievements of our distinguished awardees below.
2026: Pamela Campos
Pamela Campos is the youngest woman to serve on San José City Council, elected in 2024 to represent District 2. The proud daughter of immigrants and the eldest of four daughters, Pamela worked as a preschool teacher and later at the Low Income Investment Fund to support economic opportunities for families. Her priorities as an elected official are rooted in support for early childhood education and expanding economic opportunities for families. She currently serves on San José's Neighborhood Services and Education Committee and Transportation and Environment Committee. Pamela is also a member of the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Executive Board and Housing Committee, as well as the Joint MTC ABAG Legislation Committee. She earned a Bachelor's of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development.
2025: Lan Nguyen
Lan Nguyen is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees with roots in Cambodia Town of Long Beach, California, and is now residing in San José. She is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, community organizer, and educator. She teaches ethnic studies with a focus on anti-assimilation to newcomer immigrant youth in the Bay Area, and teaches Introduction to Asian American Studies at San José State University. To follow her passion for culturally relevant education and uncovering hidden histories, Lan has served as a curriculum writer for several projects such as the statewide Vietnamese American Experiences Model Curriculum, Ethnic Studies for Multilingual Learners Professional Learning Community, and the AAPI Perspectives Oral History Project. Lan earned a Bachelors of Science in Education at Northwestern University, Masters of Arts in Asian American Studies at UCLA, and both a Single Subject: Social Sciences Teaching Credential and Masters of Arts in Teaching at San Jose State University.
2024: Matteo Enna
Tayo Enna has been teaching Kindergarten at STEAM@Stipe Elementary School for the past 18 years and he is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco in the Teacher Education Program. Tayo's dedication extends well beyond the classroom evidenced by his development and implementation of Anti Racist Parent Workshops with a range of school districts to bridge communities and families together. In 2022, he developed The Young Black Scholars Club as an after school program for Black and biracial students in K-3rd grade. Tayo is a proud Spartan, earning his Bachelor’s in Social Science, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from San José State University.
2023: Nancy Gutierrez, EdLD
Photo credit: Jim Gensheimer, 2023
A proud SJSU alumnus, Dr. Gutierrez earned a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership & Administration in 2005. She went on to earn a Doctor of Education Leadership (EdLD) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dr. Gutierrez is currently President and CEO of The Leadership Academy, a role she’s held since 2018, and co-author of the recently released Stay and Prevail: Students of Color Don't Need to Leave Their Communities to Succeed.
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Give a Gift to Lurie College
Our college has been preparing educators for over a century and a half through rigorous undergraduate and graduate study and professional credentialing programs. Our programs have prepared some of the best, brightest, and most committed educators in the Bay Area and beyond. Alumni can partner with us on a range of fundraising priorities, including:
- Supporting our SJSU Lurie College Scholarships. Our scholarships decrease financial barriers and future debt for our students, which allows them to focus on their education and increases the retention efforts of remaining in their profession after graduation.
- Building up our Financial Hardship Grant Fund. When our Lurie College students experience unforeseen financial hardships, they can apply for this grant to address acute needs. Since 2019, we've been able to provide over 150 grants to students to support their continued enrollment.
