Save the Date – March 12
Annual Service Awards at the PAC
State, Cal Poly Partners and ASI employees with milestone service anniversaries in 2024 will be honored at the Annual Service Awards at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, in the Performing Arts Center Miossi Hall, followed by a reception in the Performing Arts Center Main Lobby (appetizers will be served). View the program for a complete listing of awardees. All attendees are required to RSVP no later than Friday, Feb. 28, to attend. There is no cost to attend the ceremony or reception. Contact the Office of the President events team for additional information at presidentsevents@calpoly.edu.
RSVP for the Annual Service Awards
Nominations Now Open For
Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award 2024-25
Recognize a faculty member who has had a positive impact on students through academic advising! The Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award honors one faculty member annually with a $2,000 stipend and recognition by President Armstrong at Fall Conference. Faculty, staff, and students may nominate, but at least one nomination must come from a current student. Self-nominations are not accepted. Nominations close Friday, Mar. 7, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. For questions, contact Denise Bryden at dlazar@calpoly.edu.
Learn More and Submit Your Nomination
Cal Poly Celebrates
Faculty Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service
Cal Poly announced Phoenix (Dongfeng) Fang, Joni Roberts and Shannon Shoff as the inaugural recipients of the Faculty Excellence Award for their outstanding contributions to their disciplines, dedication to student success, and service to the university community. Nominated by their college deans, each recipient received a monetary award to directly support professional development and academic initiatives. This award, administered by the Office of the Provost, was made possible by a generous donor contribution.
Read More About the Faculty Excellence Award
ITS – New Information Security Officer
Kyle Gustafson
Kyle Gustafson has been named Cal Poly’s new information security officer. In this new role he serves as the primary contact for Cal Poly on CSU systemwide information security matters and oversees the campus’ Information Security Program. He also leads the Information Security Office team and advises the campus on secure practices. Gustafson has been with Cal Poly for 13 years; starting as a lead system administrator before serving as senior information security engineer for nearly eight and a half years. He received his master’s degree in information technology from CSU Fullerton.
Book Your Session Today
Professional Photos March 4 and 5
Faculty and staff are invited to sign up for a free professional portrait Tuesday and Wednesday, March 4 and 5, from 9 a.m. to noon in the Graphic Arts Building (No. 26). Participants must sign up for a specific time using Calendly Appointments. This resource is intended for those who have not taken a recent head shot. Campus photographers from University Communications and Marketing will take these free shots of current faculty and staff to update professional platforms.
Upcoming Sessions
Exposing Hidden Bias Workshop
Employee and Organization Development continues to offer the Exposing Hidden Bias workshop, presented by Lanaya Gaberel, with an upcoming session on Feb. 27 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. This workshop highlights the unconscious biases we all possess and provides strategies to mitigate their impact in our work and relationships. Join us to learn about diversity and inclusion at Cal Poly, recognize areas where unconscious bias may surface, explore strategies for avoiding bias, and discover resources for continued learning and involvement.
View All Upcoming Opportunities
Cal Poly Partners
Changes Coming to Cal Poly Partners Cashiering
Effective March 1, several significant changes are coming to Cal Poly Partners Cashiering Services. For campus community members looking to perform cash services, such as making change and in-person deposit hand off, these services will now be available on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A drop box is also available, on the wall just right of the Cashier window on the first floor of the Administration Building (No. 1), for anyone looking to make a payment or deposit outside these hours. Payroll and other checks held for pickup will still be available at the Cal Poly Partners cashiering window.
Cal Poly Partners
March Fourth Is Returning
Cal Poly Partners’ annual celebration is returning this March. On Tuesday, March 4, the campus community is invited to “March Fourth” with Cal Poly Partners and join us to celebrate and learn more about Partners’ faculty and staff housing program, how the team is working to alleviate food insecurity on campus and so much more. The event also includes an open house and tours of Harvest Lofts, the new faculty and staff apartments, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Make plans to join the celebration at 1901 Marketplace from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and March Fourth with Cal Poly Partners.
Remembering Emerita
Architecture Professor Donna P. Duerk
Donna Duerk, a Cal Poly architecture professor for approximately 30 years, passed in January 2025. She loved San Luis Obispo and became entrenched in the community. Her dedication to education, promotion of women in architecture, art in public places and sustainability of our planet is visible through the various scholarships and endowments she created at NC State and Cal Poly, where her continued contributions to organizations that work toward clean energy and sustainability live. Memorial donations can be made to the California Rare Fruit Growers Scholarship fund.
Campus Beautification Initiative
Utility Box Art Project
Applications are now being accepted for the Utility Box Art Project, a campus beautification initiative transforming utility boxes into works of public art to enhance the vibrancy of the campus and showcase local talent. All students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to submit an application via email to af@calpoly.edu. Applications are due Feb. 28. Selected artists will be notified in March and will receive a $250 VISA gift card to cover necessary materials.
Utility Box Art Project Guidelines and Application
ASI Craft Center
Creative Workshops
One-day sessions at the Craft Center are a fun, convenient way to get creative — right here on campus! Whether you want to explore a new craft or sharpen a favorite skill, these workshops are perfect for a solo outing or a chance to connect with friends or coworkers. Limited spots are available for select workshops in painting, block printing, crochet, and thrift flipping. All workshops are instructor-led with materials provided.
Serving Up Food and Fun – Feb. 26
A Taste of the World
The International Center will be serving up food and fun at A Taste of the World Wednesday, Feb. 26, on Baker (No. 180) Lawn from 10 a.m. to noon! A collaboration with the Food Science and Nutrition and the Experience Industry Management Departments, A Taste of the World invites the campus community to enjoy free tastings of delicious bites and beverages from Ireland, Thailand, Costa Rica, Australia, Cuba and Ghana while celebrating Learn by Doing in a global context. Take your taste buds on a tour of the world while experiencing live music, dancing and exploring study abroad opportunities at Cal Poly!
Cal Poly Arts - March 6
Delfeayo Marsalis and The Uptown Jazz Orchestra: Uptown on Mardi Gras Day!
Time to throw up your hands, cut the king cake, and grab some beads as we celebrate the spirit of Mardi Gras at the Performing Arts Center with Grammy Award-winner Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. A member of The First Family of Jazz and an NEA Jazz Master, the middle Marsalis brother leads this vibrant big band from his seat in the trombone section, in a performance that is full of the joy and soul of NOLA. This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.
Jazz Concert Set for Feb. 21
‘Sounds of Groove’
The Winter “Sounds of Groove” Jazz Concert is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in the Performing Arts Center. The Vocal Jazz Ensemble’s set will include “My Funny Valentine” by Richard Rodgers, Rube Bloom’s“Give Me the Simple Life” arranged by Jennifer Barnes, and Stevie Wonder’s “As” arranged by Tim Brent. The Jazz Combos will play a mix of jazz standards and original student arrangements, and the University Jazz Band will perform big band arrangements by Michael Mossman, Thad Jones, Ellen Rowe, Steven Feifke and others.