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Center for Global Engagement Newsletter – November 2026

Campus Events

Karaoke Night

Date: Tuesday, Nov. 3
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Location: The Depot, 1650 Holloway Ave., San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: View event details for Karaoke Night

Soda and Success: A Career Networking and Resume Social

Date: Thursday, Nov. 12
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Classroom 105, Mashouf Wellness Center, 755 Font Blvd., San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: View event details for Soda and Success

Thanks in the Mail: Gratitude Postcard Making

Date: Thursday, Nov. 19
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: Classroom 105, Mashouf Wellness Center, 755 Font Blvd., San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: View event details for Thanks in the Mail

Game Nights

Date: Friday, Nov. 20
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Location: The Swamp, formerly Bricks
Cost: Free
Event details: View event details for Game Nights

Off-Campus Events

Asian Art Museum Free Admission Day

Date: Sunday, Nov. 1
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 200 Larkin St., San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: View Asian Art Museum admission details

Día de Muertos Fiesta 2026

Date: Sunday, Nov. 1
Time: Noon-9 p.m.
Location: 4115 Telegraph Ave., Oakland
Cost: Free
Event details: View Día de Muertos Fiesta details

Free First Thursdays at San Francisco's Museum of Craft and Design

Date: Thursday, Nov. 5
Time: Noon-5 p.m.
Location: 2569 Third St., San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: View Museum of Craft and Design visit information

Oakland First Fridays Street Festival

Date: Friday, Nov. 6
Time: 5-9:30 p.m.
Location: Telegraph Avenue and 27th Street, Oakland
Cost: Free
Event details: Visit the Oakland First Fridays website

San Francisco's Free Día de los Muertos and Diwali Celebration with Fire Ceremony

Date: Saturday, Nov. 7
Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Location: 603 Mason St., San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: View Día de los Muertos and Diwali festival details

Blankets and Blockbusters: Toy Story 5 Outdoor Movie at Thrive City

Date: Sunday, Nov. 8
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Location: 1 Warriors Way, San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: Get tickets for the Blankets and Blockbusters outdoor movie

2026 San Francisco Tea Festival at the Ferry Building

Date: Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 14-15
Time: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Location: 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Cost: $24
Event details: Buy tickets for the San Francisco Tea Festival

Important Dates

ALI Dates

  • Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day. No classes. Campus closed.
  • Monday-Friday, Nov. 23-27: Fall recess. No classes. Campus closed Thursday and Friday.

Academic Dates

  • Wednesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day. No classes. Campus closed.
  • Monday-Friday, Nov. 23-27: Fall recess. No classes. Campus closed Thursday and Friday.

SFSU Partners with DWIH San Francisco for SF Tech Week Innovation Program

The Center for Global Engagement partnered with the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco to host 16 young founders from German universities during the SF Tech Week Innovation Program 2026.

The one-week program introduced participants to entrepreneurship, innovation and the San Francisco technology community through lectures and workshops led by SFSU faculty and industry experts. Participants also attended hackathons, panel discussions and other SF Tech Week events across the city.

The program is part of DWIH’s Innovate initiative, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The initiative supports the internationalization of research and encourages an entrepreneurial mindset among early-stage founders.

The program included a lecture by Hap Klopp, founder of The North Face, who discussed his experiences as an entrepreneur and the importance of creating a culture that embraces failure. Participants also explored San Francisco and the Bay Area through networking activities and cultural experiences.

Find out how you can partner with SFSU to design a customized training program that meets your organization’s goals with International Customized Training.

New Global Program: Study Abroad @ San Francisco

Launching Spring 2027

San Francisco State University is launching Study Abroad @ San Francisco, a new program that gives international students the opportunity to study at SFSU for one or two semesters. Students can choose academic courses that match their interests, study alongside SFSU students and experience San Francisco and the Bay Area, with its strong connections to technology, business and nearby Silicon Valley.

The new program expands access to SFSU for international students around the world. Students do not need to attend an SFSU partner university to participate, giving more students the opportunity to spend one or two semesters studying at SFSU while remaining enrolled at their home university.

Learn More

Learn more about Study Abroad @ San Francisco, including courses, costs, admission requirements and how to apply.

Study Abroad @ San Francisco

Center for Global Engagement Newsletter – Oct. 2026

Campus Events

Wellness Game Night

Date: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
Time: 6 to 8 p.m.
Location: The Swamp (Bricks)
Cost: Free
Event details: Wellness Game Night details

Dia De Los Muertos Frame Painting and Candle Making

Date: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026
Time: 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Classroom 105, Mashouf Wellness Center, 755 Font Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94132
Cost: Free
Event details: Dia De Los Muertos Frame Painting and Candle Making details

Karaoke Night

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Location: The Depot, 1650 Holloway Ave., San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Event details: Karaoke Night details

Off-Campus Events

Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design

Date: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: 2569 Third St., San Francisco, CA 94107
Cost: Free
Event details: Free First Thursdays at SF’s Museum of Craft and Design details

SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays”

Date: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026
Time: 5 to 10 p.m.
Location: Second Street between Market and Howard streets
Cost: Free
Event details: SF’s Free DFT Monthly Block Party: “Downtown First Thursdays” details

“Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival

Date: Friday, Oct. 2, 2026
Time: 5 to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Telegraph Avenue and 27th Street, Oakland, CA
Cost: Free
Event details: “Oakland First Fridays” Street Festival details

“Many Moons” Festival 2026: AAPI Culture, Food + Art

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Location: 7400 Willow St.
Cost: $10
Event details: “Many Moons” Festival 2026: AAPI Culture, Food + Art details

Off the Grid 2026 Treasure Island

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: 695 Avenue of the Palms, San Francisco
Cost: Free
Event details: Off the Grid 2026 Treasure Island details

San Francisco Fleet Week 2026

Date: Oct. 4-12, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: Locations throughout San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Event details: San Francisco Fleet Week 2026 details

Important Dates

ALI Dates

  • Monday, Oct. 5 to Thursday, Oct. 8:
    Midterm Exam Week
     
  • Thursday, Oct. 8:
    Session A Last Day of Instruction
    Session B New Student Orientation I
     
  • Friday, Oct. 9:
    New student ITP TOEFL Test and Orientation II
    Optional ITP TOEFL test for current students who have signed up in advance
     
  • Sunday, Oct. 11:
    Last day for 100% refund for ALI-EAP 8-Week B Term tuition
     
  • Monday, Oct. 12:
    Session B first day of class
     
  • Tuesday, Oct. 13:
    Midterm Evaluation Distribution and Session A Final Evaluation Distribution
     
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21:
    Last day for 60% refund for ALI-EAP 8-Week B Term tuition
     
  • Late October:
    Session B Gator Pass Payment Deadline

International Coffee Hour

Join the All-University Committee on International Programs (AUCIP) and the College of Professional & Global Education for International Coffee Hour.

Held several times each semester, International Coffee Hour brings together SFSU faculty, staff and administrators to connect and discuss international education. Topics include study abroad, visiting student programs, support for international students and other issues and opportunities related to international programs.

Enjoy coffee and snacks while connecting with colleagues from across the University and learning how different departments support international education at SFSU.

Academic Certificate Programs - Apply by May 15 for Fall 2027

Explore academic certificate programs at SFSU. Build career-focused skills in high-demand fields while studying at the University. International students welcome.

Programs include:

Apply by May 15 for priority consideration. Late applications may be accepted if space is available.

Academic Certificate Programs

Lecture: AI in the Business Environment and Crafting Functional Policy

From SFSU computer science undergraduate to AI innovation lead at AlfaTech, Elliot Verduzco has experienced firsthand how AI is changing higher education and the future of work.

In this lecture, he'll share what he has learned since beginning his role at AlfaTech, his observations about the evolving AI landscape and how he envisions the future of work for himself and for today's undergraduates entering an uncertain job market. He'll also demonstrate software projects he has been developing.

Lecture with Elliot Verduzco

Elliot Verduzco leads AI innovation at AlfaTech, an engineering and design firm that designs data center facilities for hyperscaler clients.

As the firm's first full-time software developer, he helped establish its enterprise AI infrastructure. His work includes running data-driven pilot programs, technical AI governance and policy authorship and collaborating across executive leadership, IT and project management.

He holds a B.S. in computer science from San Francisco State University and consults independently on AI tooling for nonprofits and skilled trades businesses.

Lecture: Navigating the AI Revolution

Navigating the AI Revolution: Skills, Strategy and Opportunities for the Future of Work

AI is changing how people work, learn and build careers. In this lecture, you'll explore how AI is reshaping the job market, business strategy and the skills needed for future success. You'll also learn how AI is being applied across industries including Fintech, LegalTech, PropTech, real estate and private equity.

Lecture by Anna Zakowska, Ph.D.

Anna Zakowska, Ph.D., is an AI/ML leader, fund manager, founder and investor with experience building and scaling companies across frontier AI models, Fintech, LegalTech, PropTech, real estate and private equity.

She is the managing partner of Dragons & Angels Fund, a $100 million investment fund focused on high-growth companies, real estate and private credit. Anna became a founder in 2013 and grew her first startup to more than $1 billion in assets under management.

She holds a Ph.D. in data science from Claremont Graduate University and an MBA from Pepperdine University. She spent five years working on training Google's Gemini model.

Her research focuses on creating systems that help young people access credit, grow their businesses and build the financial foundation needed to purchase personal assets such as homes. This work led her to create Darts Credit, a company dedicated to expanding credit access through alternative credit-building tools for people left behind by legacy scoring models.

Anna is also advancing research and investment in neuro-symbolic approaches to improve LLMs and agentic feedback loops. She is the co-founder of Eqwiti, a global platform focused on expanding access to private market investment opportunities for a network of more than 60,000 investors.

Her work sits at the intersection of AI, capital formation, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and the future of work.

Apply for Spring 2027 Academic Certificate Programs by Nov. 15

Do you want to apply for an academic certificate program? The priority application deadline for spring is Nov. 15. Late applications will be considered. Students will be accepted on a space-available basis.

Academic Certificate Programs
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