The following academics make up the SJSU Global Studies Initiative, 2004-2009. To see brief curricula vitae, click on the names.
Michael Conniff, Director, is a historian of modern Latin America and has taught world history. He has created several new multi-disciplinary international programs and forged partnerships with a number of foreign universities. He has won and managed about $3 million in grants and helped create new degree programs.
The first visiting scholar in the Silicon Valley Center for Innovation and Immigration, is Dr. Baltej Singh Mann, former dean of the Punjabi University, Patiala, India, and National Integration Chair. He earned his doctorate in economics, but his interests are far broader, and he has traveled and taught at a number of foreign universities and institutes. Dr. Mann will spend his sabbatical year at SJSU, working on a variety of research and development projects. He intends to complete a history of the Sikh Diaspora in North America and work with Sikh students on campus and with community organizations. With his leadership SJSU is planning to create an endowed chair in Sikh Studies and Culture.
Mark McKenna, Associate Director. Experienced manager of multi-sectoral programs and cross-cultural project teams. Over a 25-year career, has successfully designed and implemented capacity and institution-building programs to achieve significant objectives and leverage opportunities for constructive social change. He is committed to engaging students actively in learning and achieving well defined measurable and shared learning objectives.
Email: mmckenna@gs.sjsu.edu Phone: 408-924-7197
Rajiv Khanna, Program adviser, is a native of Mumbai, India. He is finishing his Ph.D at The Ohio State University. He specializes in the 19th and 20th century European International history and Modern South Asia history. His teaching interests include modern British, European, World, and South Asian history, empire and decolonization, the 20th century world, diplomatic history, and the Cold War from a global perspective. More information about him can be found on the History Department's website
Email: rajivkkhanna@yahoo.com Phone:408.924.5548
Sarah Lau, Student Assistant, is an undergraduate at San Jose State University seeking to obtain a B.F.A in Animation with a Concentration in Computer Graphical Animation. At GSI, she manages the NCAGE Forum and e-newsletter, student transcripts, and is in charge of arranging and publicizing lectures and events that the Global Studies Department hosts and co-hosts.
Email: slau@gs.sjsu.edu Phone: 408.924.2736
Anil Azad, Student Assistant, is an undergraduate at San Jose State University seeking to obtain a B.S in Justice Studies with a Concentration in Biological Forensics, as well a B.S in Chemistry. At GSI, he manages the Global Lens Photography Contest, the Global Studis website, and Student Transcripts. Email: aazad@gs.sjsu.edu Phone: 408-924-2608
Dawn Chandler, Student Assistant joined global studies in the summer of 2008 work on the Defense Language Institute's project. Designed to offer courses on the Web that will lead to a BA degree. Her duties include development of learning objects, recruitment of new students, publicity and record-keeping.
