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Advancing Success

Fueling Excellence 

Cal Poly is dedicated to providing you with what you need to thrive.

Academic resources, pathways to build supportive communities, career support, and much more help ensure that all students, regardless of background, have equitable opportunities to succeed.

Kiana Corey sits under an arbor on the Cal Poly campus

Joy Starts with Healing

A new peer-counseling resource in the Black Academic Excellence Center (BAEC) launched recently. The resource, Kiki’s Corner, is led by child development student Kianah Corey, who offers Black peer group sessions and one-on-one counseling in a confidential, non-clinical space.

Read Corey's Story
Three students sit at a table having a discussion. The middle student, who is wearing a turban, leads the discussion.

Teach In

A Deep Dive on Social Justice

Last February, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered for a day of learning, discussion and deep thinking on equity and social justice topics. This year, the event was separated into five different tracks focused on specific topics including Pop Culture and Media, Pathways to Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Reproductive Justice.

More About the Teach In
A composite of six professional headshots of students graduating in the class of 2023.

Outstanding Grads

Meet six outstanding members of the Class of 2023 — graduates tested by circumstances beyond their control whose drive, attitude and aptitude inspired their quest to become accountants, architects, biologists, engineers, future educators and medical professionals.

Read about these graduates

Tools for Academic Success

Learn by Doing defines our academics. Cal Poly offers a wide range of academic support services such as tutoring, advising, presentation and essay help, and more to ensure that everyone has access to the same opportunities and resources.

Black Academic Excellence Center

The Black Academic Excellence Center (BAEC) offers a range of academic and professional support services in a caring social environment allowing you to connect and engage with others through the lens of culture, identity and the Black student experience.

Learn More about the BAEC

Academic Advising

Our advising centers can you help you plan your schedule, plan and track your degree progress, change your major and more. 

First-Generation Student Resources

First-generation students can find campus resources and support as well as connections to the broader first-gen community at Cal Poly.

Student Academic Services

Student Academic Services provides a network of services and programs to help you achieve academic success.

Jamie Patton, Ed.D.

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

At Cal Poly, we are committed to building a campus community where everyone can come together to learn and contribute to a better future.  We want to ensure that people from every background and social identity are welcomed, valued and given the resources to thrive academically, socially and personally. Within this guide you will find a variety of leadership opportunities, student clubs, organizations, cultural events, activities and campus services designed with you in mind. 

Portrait of Dr. Jamie Patton

Tools for professional Success

Resources, training and advice are available to help as you navigate the work force. Our campus organizations offer career advising and exploration, job and internship placement, career fairs, professional development, mentorship opportunities, mock interviews, resume review and more.

Black Alumni Chapter Black Faculty and Staff Association Career Services National Society of Black Engineers Center for Leadership

Cultivating Success within Community

A variety of places, groups and organizations on campus provide a supportive environment for you to find your niche, connect with others, and build your community.

Black Student Union

The Black Student Union (BSU) works to build unity and enhance the lives of Black students on-campus and off. The club promotes Black cultural awareness and pride, advocates for academic success and fosters a community of Black voices.

Learn More about the BSU

Women pose with a sign that says Black Student Union

Student Diversity and Belonging

Student Diversity and Belonging is a coalition of campus centers that work together to provide a place of community and create a culturally rich environment.

Clubs

Cal Poly has hundreds of student-run clubs. Getting involved with one of our many cultural clubs, or starting your own, is a great way for you to make connections and find your community.

Greek Organizations

Social fraternities and sororities such as Gamma Zeta Alpha or Lambda Sigma Gamma can help you form lifelong friendships while serving your community.

Cultural Housing Communities

Passionate about social justice?

Interested in fosters socially responsible leadership?

Would you prefer to live other students who identify as Black or a more broad identity as POC?

While living on campus, you can choose to live in a residential learning community with others who share your field of study, career aspirations, personal interests or cultural identity.

More about Residential Learning Communities
 

A student pushes a trolley of belongs at move in.

Cultural pride and Events

Our campus groups, clubs and other organizations create a rich environment of annual and seasonal events celebrating and educating the campus community on Black history and culture.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee spoke at a moderated Q&A conversation for students in February 2020.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee spoke at a moderated Q&A conversation for students in February 2020.

Polycultural weekend is an annual event that introduces academic, cultural and social resources to our newly accepted students.

Polycultural weekend is an annual event that introduces academic, cultural and social resources to our newly accepted students.

Political and social activist, author, and educator Angela Davis was the keynote speaker at the annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice Leadership Conference sponsored by The Center for Service in Action.

Political and social activist, author, and educator Angela Davis was the keynote speaker at the annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice Leadership Conference sponsored by The Center for Service in Action.
The annual dinner honors King’s legacy by inspiring transformational change and raising awareness about the lives and experiences of people of color at Cal Poly.

The annual dinner honors King’s legacy by inspiring transformational change and raising awareness about the lives and experiences of people of color at Cal Poly.
CultureFest is a free annual event with live performances, ethnic food and activities designed to promote and celebrate cultural awareness.

CultureFest is a free annual event with live performances, ethnic food and activities designed to promote and celebrate cultural awareness.

Renowned educator, author and activist, Cornel West, spoke at the second annual Martin Luther King Jr Dinner in 2019.

Renowned educator, author and activist, Cornel West, spoke at the second annual Martin Luther King Jr Dinner in 2019.
The Black Student Union’s annual Black Love celebration was held on February 23, 2020 at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.

The Black Student Union’s annual Black Love celebration was held on February 23, 2020 at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art.
The Cross Cultural Experience of our Week of Welcome (WOW) consists of activities, workshops and more community building events.

The Cross Cultural Experience of our Week of Welcome (WOW) consists of activities, workshops and more community building events.
In addition to the main commencement ceremony, we host seven cultural ceremonies to honor our diverse student communities.

In addition to the main commencement ceremony, we host seven cultural ceremonies to honor our diverse student communities.
The Students of Color Summit is a day long conference that unites students of color to explore issues and think critically about our social and moral responsibilities.

The Students of Color Summit is a day long conference that unites students of color to explore issues and think critically about our social and moral responsibilities.

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CSU's Initiative to Elevate Black Success and Excellence
The California State University's initiative aims to increase college participation, enrollments and graduation rates for African-American students. In partnership with California churches serving predominantly African American congregations, the CSU holds outreach events, conducts programs and shares resources all aimed at increasing awareness and preparing students for higher education.