Spanos Stadium
Commencement 2024 Ceremonies Set for June 15-16
Cal Poly will honor 6,300 students eligible to graduate at commencement ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and 16, at Spanos Stadium. The six college ceremonies will be held at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 and 4:30 p.m. each day. An estimated 50,000 guests are expected. Each ceremony will last about 90 minutes and be streamed live online. “At Cal Poly, everything is ultimately about student success, and this year’s graduates have succeeded brilliantly,” said President Armstrong. “They are prepared to show the world what they can do.” Honorary degrees will also be presented to award-winning educator Bradford Parkinson; alumnus and Athletics Hall of Fame member Ted Tollner; and innovator Hansjörg Wyss.
Read more about the Class of 2024
Office of University Diversity & Inclusion
Susana López Receives Dolores Huerta Leadership Award
Assistant Professor Susana A. López received the 2024 Dolores Huerta “Si Se Puede” Award for Transformational Leadership at the President’s Diversity Awards Ceremony on June 6. López, who teaches in the Psychology and Child Development Department, is known as a fierce advocate and mentor for BIPOC students, as well as innumerable accomplishments and commitments made to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion on and off campus. López is a marvel who exudes transformative leadership and is a gift to Cal Poly and to the world, according to a report.
Read more about all 2024 President’s Diversity Award Winners
Cal Poly Magazine’s Latest Issue Goes Live
The spring/summer issue of Cal Poly Magazine takes a deep dive into the 75-year history of the Rose Float program, from humble beginnings to today’s polytechnic learning experience that garners some of the Rose Parade’s top honors. Readers will also find stories about alumni in public office, space ethics, an ancestral theater course and philanthropy making an impact locally and internationally. Pick up a print copy in racks across campus or find all stories — and brand-new videos — online
Read Cal Poly Magazine and watch new videos online
Academic Personnel
45 Faculty Members Earn Promotion in 2024-25 Academic Year
President Armstrong and Provost and Executive Vice President Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore announced 45 faculty members will be promoted for the 2024-25 academic year, including 27 who will receive tenure. Promotions include 23 to the rank of professor and 22 to the rank of associate professor. Armstrong and Jackson-Elmoore extend congratulations and appreciation to those receiving promotions and/or tenure.
see the full list of faculty promotions
Student Administration, HR Administration and Student Center Services to be Unavailable June 14-15
The Student Administration, HR Administration and Student Center applications will be unavailable from 5 p.m. Friday, June 14, until 9 a.m. Saturday, June 15. During the required maintenance window, links in the “Employee Info and Personal Info sections of the Personal Info tab on the My Cal Poly Portal will also be unavailable. This pause in availability is part of a Chancellor’s Office initiative to enhance the security and reliability of all PeopleSoft systems by migrating PeopleSoft to Amazon Web Services. Anyone with questions or concerns should contact the ITS Service Desk at [email protected] or ext. 6-7000.
Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
2024 Summer Accelerator Cohort Named
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) has accepted eight startup teams into its Summer Accelerator, an intensive 12-week program that provides students and recent graduates with the resources necessary to turn their innovative ideas into full-fledged startups. Participants receive $10,000 in seed funding and access to expert mentorship, entrepreneurial workshops and a dedicated workspace in the HotHouse, the CIE’s office in downtown San Luis Obispo. “This Summer Accelerator cohort is unique because several teams used Innovation Quest as a springboard to advance into this program, which demonstrates the relative maturity of business development for those entering the Accelerator this year,” said Thomas Katona, CIE academic programs director.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Strawberry Center, Agricultural Research Service Receive Additional $1.25 Million in Funding
The Strawberry Center has received $1.25 million in federal funding in continued support of its research in strawberry production automation and its efforts in fostering a workforce pipeline to support sustainable food production needed to meet the demands of a growing population. The center is working in collaboration with the California Strawberry Commission and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service (USDA ARS) in Salinas, California. Lawmakers increased the 2024 federal appropriation to $1.25 million from the initial $1 million awarded through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 bill. The program brings together farmers, entrepreneurs, researchers, educators and students to focus on the strawberry industry.
Athletics Department
Cal Poly Receives Big West Commissioner’s Cup
For the first time in its history, Cal Poly has received the Dennis Farrell Big West Commissioner's Cup as the highest achieving athletic department in the Big West Conference. Cal Poly finished with 149.4 points, the largest total in the award’s 24-year history, the conference announced June 3. “Winning the Commissioner’s Cup is a testament to the outstanding individuals that work tirelessly throughout the year to represent Cal Poly with distinction,” said Don Oberhelman, athletics director. “Thank you to our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff. This collective honor celebrates every single person in this department.”
Campus Dining
Student Associates Celebrated at Year-End Celebration
Campus Dining and the Cal Poly Partners recently hosted the first student appreciation event at 1901 Marketplace. More than 250 student associates enjoyed free food and drinks, relaxed with friends and celebrated the end of a successful year. As Campus Dining gave thanks for their dedicated work during 2023-24, associates participated in inflatable bowling, Jenga, cornhole and more while also having fun striking poses in a 360-degree photo booth. They also tested their trivia knowledge and got creative making bracelets while enjoying the root beer float bar.
Cal Poly Partners
Vista Meadows Faculty and Staff Housing Update
Progress continues at Vista Meadows, the faculty and staff neighborhood adjacent to campus, coming to the corner of Slack Street and Grand Avenue. Site work will ramp up this summer as preparations are made to begin construction. The 33-home neighborhood will be built on six acres of the 22-acre parcel. The units will be available to faculty and staff to purchase. The new neighborhood will create a faculty and staff community closely connected with campus. This is the next step of a phased approach to increase housing options for faculty and staff. Reach out to [email protected] with questions.
University Union Backdrop
Cal Poly Letters Highlight the Heart of Campus
Just in time for commencement and obligatory selfies, a new installation of nearly 9-foot-tall Cal Poly letters has been erected near the University Union Plaza. Strategically placed between the UU and 1901 Marketplace, the permanent monument aims to capture the essence of the university and create an accessible backdrop to safely take graduation photos demonstrating Cal Poly pride. The project is a collaboration between the ASI University Union advisory board, Administration and Finance and University Communications and Marketing. The installation is part of a larger two-phase project to update landscaping in the area and enhance the campus experience.
Cal Poly News
Great Grads Were Tested and Inspired — and Found Their Passions
As commencement approaches, meet six outstanding members of Cal Poly’s Class of 2024, representing a graduating class of more than 6,500. Whether tested by tragedy, inspired by travels, pursuing lifelong interests or finding their passions on campus, these Great Grads are ready to embrace their futures as alumni — and hopefully make a difference in the world.
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Student Teams Split $30,000 Startup Ideas at Annual Innovation Quest
Three student startup teams split $30,000 at the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) annual Innovation Quest, a high-stakes competition where Cal Poly students pitch their innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning funding for their startups. The startup ODIN, which is creating a portable headset with ocular tracking technology that rapidly and accurately diagnoses concussions, received the first-place prize of $15,000 at the April 27 event. Fourteen finalists pitched their innovative ideas in Nash Family Entrepreneurship Lab. The event’s banquet and awards ceremony were held at Rod and Hammer Rock later that evening.
Phoenix Challenge 2024
Students’ Sustainable Design Wins National Competition
An interdisciplinary team of students gained hands-on experience designing and branding new sustainable packaging and labels for Bing’s Bao Buns, a small, San Luis Obispo-based restaurant — and took first place for its effort in the 2024 Phoenix Challenge. Graphic communication students Umika Kuroda, Alex Woon, Jasmine Lee, Jacob Sterrett, Sydney Doyle and consumer packaging concentration student Claire Schatz won the college-level competition in April against teams from across the U.S.
Transportation and Parking Services
Summer Parking Permits Go on Sale June 17
Faculty and staff working on campus this summer can purchase parking permits online beginning Monday, June 17. Spring quarter parking permits will expire June 16. Summer permits are valid through Sept. 15. Daily, weekly and monthly permits are also available for purchase online. To simplify the process further, eligible employees can enroll in payroll deduction parking permits through the Cal Poly portal. Visit Transportation and Parking Services staff page for more information.
Employee Assistance Program
June is Great Outdoors Month
Time spent outdoors supports improved mental and physical well-being. The month of June on the Central Coast is a perfect time to get outside to boost resilience and alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression. Review Outside Refresh for ideas on campus walks, hikes and outdoor lunch venues. The Employee Assistance Program, LifeMatters, is available to support employees’ health. LifeMatters can be reached at mylifematters.com or 800-367-7474. Contact Lisa Gray at [email protected] or the Employee Wellbeing website for information.
CSU Summer Training
Free PDF Document Accessibility Courses Offered
In partnership with renowned web accessibility nonprofit WebAIM, the CSU will provide free online, four-week summer training courses on best practices for creating accessible documents and PDFs. This training is for those who make documents with Word, PowerPoint or Adobe Acrobat. Learn how to use a few simple guidelines to create documents that are accessible to all users. As part of its commitment to excellence through diversity and inclusion, Cal Poly strives to ensure that campus communication is accessible to its employees, community and student audiences.
Statistics Department
Summer Consulting Services Offered
The Statistics Department is providing summer statistical consulting services to the university community to facilitate research design and data analysis in a wide array of disciplines. Consulting will be available through Sept. 6 by appointment only. Statistics faculty members John Walker and Steve Rein will serve as the consultants. They are available to advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, they are available to lead seminars or tutorials on requested topics and offer advice on various computer packages available at Cal Poly. To schedule a consultation, email [email protected].
Learn more on the Statistics Department website
Employee Assistance Program
LifeMatters Has You Covered
Cal Poly provides access to the LifeMatters Employee Assistance Program for all employees, their household members and dependent children. Around-the-clock service is available to support your emotional well-being. LifeMatters also provides consultation on financial and legal matters, health and workplace issues, child or elder care and convenience services. LifeMatters can be reached at 800-367-7474 and additional contact information is available on the Wellbeing website. Contact Lisa Gray at [email protected] for information.
Disability Resource Center Opens ‘Serenity Room’
The Disability Resource Center has opened a new Serenity Room for DRC students who experience difficulties with sensory integration or processing, or for students needing a calming space to reset. The room has two massage chairs, two massage bean bag chairs, multiple fidget devices, resources for anxiety or panic attacks, calming music and soft lighting. Faculty and staff who know of students who would benefit from the space are encouraged to share this information and the link below to make reservation to use the room. Learn more about the DRC and resources for faculty and staff on its website.
‘Watching for Sasquatch’ Student Performance
Student Actors to Read New Work by Resident Playwright Ramón Esquivel
Join student actors for a special reading of “Watching for Sasquatch,” a new play by Theatre and Dance Department Assistant Professor Ramón Esquivel on Wednesday, June 12, at 6 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre (Room 212) of the Davidson Music Center (No. 45). “Watching for Sasquatch” is a series of short plays about humans, ghosts, banana slugs and cryptids, and their attitudes toward the environment. This work is supported by the Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RSCA) Grant Program. The reading is free and open to open to the public. Questions? Contact Esquivel at [email protected].
Performing Arts Center
Ballet Theatre SLO Presents ‘Undine’ June 22-23
Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo presents the full-length ballet “Undine” on Saturday, June 22, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center. The mysterious worlds of water spirits and humans come alive in Theresa Slobodnik’s original adaptation of this iconic fairy tale that inspired Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” A water spirit named Undine was switched at a young age with a fisherman’s daughter named Bertalda. Born from the water’s depths, Undine must marry a human in order to gain a soul. Bertalda and Undine’s intertwined fates lead them to tragedy as they fall in love with the same knight and their hidden identities are revealed. Dive into this fairy tale full of deep love, hidden secrets, mystical characters and deadly betrayal. Use promotion code FACSTAFF for 10% off!