A Simple Survey. An Unexpected Gift. How SJSU’s Collaboration with NVIDIA Created an Opportunity for Engineering Students.

For San José State University engineering students, the invitation sounded routine: participate in a brief survey about how engineering students use their laptops.

For three SJSU students, it ended with something they never expected-a brand-new NVIDIA-powered GeForce RTX laptop.

"I thought it was just going to be a survey," said Andrea Cortez, an electrical engineering student. "Then they said, 'We have a little gift for you,' and brought out the laptops. I was stunned."

The surprise was made possible through San José State University's longstanding relationship with NVIDIA, one of Silicon Valley's leading technology companies. As part of the collaboration, NVIDIA sought direct feedback from engineering and STEM students to better understand how they use laptops for programming, design, engineering software, and everyday coursework.

"We were simply looking for students who could share their experiences," said Janeth Canseco, student engagement advisor for the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program. "NVIDIA wanted to hear directly from STEM students. The laptops were a complete surprise."

The collaboration reflects the value of SJSU's deep industry connections, which regularly create opportunities for students to engage with leading employers, provide real-world feedback, and build relationships that extend beyond the classroom.

MESA, one of the university's signature STEM support programs, connects students with mentoring, academic resources, professional development, and industry partners to help prepare them for successful careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The three selected students-electrical engineering major Andrea Cortez, software engineering major Dorian Kelly, and biomedical engineering student Sophie Cideos-arrived expecting a short conversation. Instead, they spent time discussing the technology they rely on every day, from graphics performance and storage capacity to the demands of engineering applications and programming projects.

Only after the discussion concluded did they learn each would receive a new laptop.

For Kelly, the timing could not have been better.

His six-year-old computer had begun freezing under the demands of increasingly complex programming assignments.

"I'm still trying to process it," he said. "It won't really sink in until I start using it."

Cideos said the new laptop will support CAD modeling and increasingly demanding engineering coursework.

"It's a huge upgrade," she said. "It'll make a big difference as my classes become more demanding."

Asked to describe the experience in one word, the students answered without hesitation:

"Dumbfounded."

"Mind-blowing."

"Stunned."

But beyond the unexpected gift, each student walked away with something equally valuable: a reminder that opportunities often begin by simply showing up.

"You really never know where getting involved will lead," Kelly said. "Being part of MESA led to this interview, and that led to an opportunity none of us expected."

The laptops may have been the surprise, but the story is really about partnership.

Through collaborations with industry leaders like NVIDIA, San José State University continues to create meaningful experiences that connect students with the companies shaping Silicon Valley. Sometimes those experiences lead to valuable insight for industry. Sometimes they lead to new career connections.

And sometimes, they begin with nothing more than an invitation to take a survey.