Cal Poly Receives
Leishman Public Spirit Award – 2025 Rose Parade
Cal Poly universities’ “Nessie’s Lakeside Laughs” float, depicting Scotland’s most camera-averse underwater mystic on its best day, received the Leishman Public Spirit Award at the 136th Rose Parade® held New Year’s Day.
“We got the Leishman award for most outstanding floral presentation from a non-commercial entry,” said Collin Marfia, the Cal Poly Rose float president minutes after the awards were announced. “We’re just ecstatic! This is a floral award, and the last time we won it was 2016 (for ‘Sweet Shenanigans’).
Read about Cal Poly at the 2025 Rose Parade
Cal Poly Awarded Grant
Combatting Gestational Diabetes with Meals for Moms
Cal Poly is receiving a $10.6 million grant to lead a five-year national research study to examine whether medically tailored meals can help address the rise in gestational diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Working with Brown University, Northwestern University and multiple other partners, Cal Poly received the funding award from the nonprofit Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) organization to lead a groundbreaking “Food is Medicine” study, involving an approach to reducing the prevalence of disease with a focus on food insecurity and nutrition.
A Look Back
Five Top Stories of 2024
Take a look back on our favorite Cal Poly News stories from the past year. Here are five of our top stories from 2024 — and five more you may have missed.
A Look Back
Top Photos of 2024
It’s been one heck of a year at Cal Poly — and through it all, our students, faculty and staff have worked hard to learn, experience, research and have fun. The Cal Poly News staff went through our photo archives to choose the pictures we felt best represented 2024.
Interim Dean of CAFES
Dr. Jeremy James
Dr. Jeremy James has been appointed interim dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES), effective Dec. 21, 2024. He will serve through Aug. 31, 2025, or until the permanent dean assumes the position. James succeeds interim dean Dr. Bill Hendricks, who is retiring after 30 years at Cal Poly.
Since joining Cal Poly in 2020, James has led the Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences Department, fostering student-centered research and growth. He holds a doctorate in plant biology from UC Davis and a bachelor’s degree in ecology from Cal Poly.
Read Messages from the Office of the Provost
Interim Dean of CENG
Dr. Bob Crockett
Dr. Bob Crockett has been appointed interim dean for the College of Engineering (CENG), effective Jan. 11, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2025, or until a permanent dean assumes the position.
Since joining Cal Poly in 2003, Crockett has served as a professor in Biomedical Engineering and held key leadership roles, including associate dean for innovation and infrastructure and administrator in charge of R-EDGE. With over 30 years of industry experience, he specializes in disruptive technologies and innovation. Crockett holds a Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, an MBA from Pepperdine, and a B.S. from UC Berkeley.
Benefit Deductions
2025 Benefit Plan Year Begins
Please compare your current pay stub with your benefit elections in the My Cal Poly Portal to ensure your 2025 benefit deductions are correct. Rate information is available on the Benefits website.
Modifications may include medical and dental plan changes, adding or removing dependents, flexible spending account elections, and enrolling or terminating voluntary coverages (including VSP Premier and life insurance).
Effective Jan. 1, the PPO medical plans are administered by Blue Shield. New cards were issued via mail in December.
Email the Benefits Team to Report a Discrepancy
Staff and Faculty
Winter Parking Permits on Sale
Employee parking permits for winter quarter went on sale Thursday, Jan. 2, just before the fall quarter permits expired on Sunday, Jan. 5. Finding and purchasing a parking permit is easy using your parking account. Daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual parking permits are available online for purchase at the faculty and staff bargained rates. Permits sold at pay stations, parking meters or by mobile app do not offer bargained rates. Winter quarter permits are valid Monday, Jan. 6, through Sunday, March 30. Please visit Transportation and Parking Services’ Faculty and Staff Parking webpage for more information.
CTLT Workshop
TidyUP and Ally
The CTLT is offering a one-week online workshop this winter: Improve your Canvas Course Accessibility with TidyUP and Ally. TidyUP and Ally are two tools in Canvas that faculty can use to quickly and efficiently improve their course accessibility. TidyUP can help you identify and remove old files you are no longer using in your course. Ally can help you identify and fix inaccessible content in Canvas. This workshop will give you the skills and knowledge to use these tools effectively. A $100 stipend is available to eligible participants. We appreciate your dedication to creating a more inclusive campus for our students!
The Statistics Department
Statistics Consulting Available
The Statistics Department is offering statistical consulting services to the university community to facilitate research design and data analysis in a wide variety of disciplines through Mar.14, by appointment only.
Statistics Professors Soma Roy and Heather Smith will serve as the consultants available to advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, Roy is 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].
Visit the Statistics Department Website for More Information
Cal Poly Recreation Center
Winter Quarter with ASI Aquatics
Make a splash in the new year with ASI Aquatics! Start 2025 strong with a healthier you by embarking on an aquatics journey at the Cal Poly Recreation Center. Now offering Intermediate Swim (build endurance), Advanced Swim (push your limits), and Personal Aquatics Training (personalized coaching for any experience level) — there is surely a class for everyone! Plus, register for a CPR/First Aid/AED Certification Course to gain life-saving skills. See you in the pool!
Learn about ASI Aquatics Courses
Take action with Safer
January is Stalking Action Month
January is Stalking Action Month (JanSAM), and Safer will be hosting events all month long. Events include zine making, a trivia night, open-mic night and the Fourth Annual Night Relay. The Staff and Faculty Solidarity event is on Friday, Jan. 23, in the Wellbeing Conference Room from 8:30-10 a.m. Staff and Faculty are encouraged to wear yellow, join Safer for bagels and snacks and learn more about supporting students who may be experiencing stalking.
Employee and Organization Development
CSU’s Got Talent Webinar Series
Start 2025 with opportunities to grow personally and professionally through our engaging webinar series. On Jan. 22, join Natasha Halliday in Our Fearless Year to conquer fears, overcome imposter syndrome, and build resilience. On Feb. 19, Jen Hood will explore the critical role of data literacy in Smart Decisions, empowering you to use data effectively and ethically in the age of AI. Then, on Mar. 11, José Rodriguez will share insights in The Power of Empathy, offering strategies to foster compassion and connection in diverse conversations. Gain practical tools and inspiration to thrive — RSVP today!
The Music Department - Jan 23-25
Cal Poly Bach Week
The Music Department presents its 2025 Bach Week! On Jan. 23, various classes and lectures will be offered including an instrumental and vocal master class and continuo workshop. Concerts on Jan. 24 and 25 will take place at First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo. At 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24, the period instrumental ensemble Tesserae Baroque will present “Buxtehude — The Italian Influence in Northern Germany” with baritone John Buffett. At 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, there will be performances of the “Magnificat” finale concert with members of Cal Poly’s Chamber Choir, Symphony and faculty with guest artists.
View All Event on the Bach Week Website
Spanos Theatre – Jan 10
W. Terrence Spiller Piano Recital
Pianist and Cal Poly music Professor Emeritus W. Terrence Spiller will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, in the Spanos Theatre. He will perform a variety of repertory ranging from the late-18th century into the mid-1920s, including Béla Bartók’s demanding Piano Sonata, Franz Schubert’s legendary Wanderer Fantasy, Joseph Haydn’s Keyboard Sonata in D Major, Claude Debussy’s “Children’s Corner,” and Franz Liszt's "Soirées de Vienne No. 6” based on works by Franz Schubert. He was a member of the Music Department faculty from 1991-2023.