Annual Faculty and Staff Awards

Karin Hendricks-Bolen, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Theatre and Dance Department
College of Liberal Arts

Karin Hendricks-Bolen teaches acting, voice and diction, dialects, musical theatre, first-year experience and other courses in Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department. A professional actor, director and dialect coach, she joined the Cal Poly faculty after building an extensive career in the performing arts. She is passionate about the power of theater and storytelling to foster emotional intelligence, empathy and communication skills that extend far beyond the stage.

Students value Professor Hendricks-Bolen’s supportive and individualized coaching style. She approaches each student as a unique artist, helping them develop their performance skills through a masterclass-style learning environment. Character analysis serves as a cornerstone of her teaching, complemented by real-time feedback informed by years of professional experience, research and practice. One student said: “I live my life differently because of Karin Hendricks-Bolen, and for that I am so incredibly grateful.”

Karin is deeply involved in theatrical productions at Cal Poly and across the region. Recent credits include performing in Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) “Come From Away” and directing Cal Poly productions such as “Urinetown” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” She also co-founded the community-based theater project “Community Speaks!” and has devised and directed more than two dozen original clown productions.

Her commitment to artistic excellence and student growth has made her a respected leader within the department and the broader theatre community.

Karin Hendricks-Bolen serves as associate chair and associate professor of acting and performance in Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from the University of Arizona and a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from the University of California, Irvine. In addition to her academic work, she continues to maintain an active professional career in theatre as an actor, director and dialect coach.

Leslie Nelson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Communications Studies Department
College of Liberal Arts

Leslie Nelson is an associate professor in the Communication Studies Department, where she teaches a wide range of courses and is deeply committed to student learning and success. Her research explores the ways communication shapes and reflects identity well-being across diverse family forms. She has examined these issues in a variety of contexts, including foster families, transracial and adoptive families, Black families, interfaith families, family relationships involving sexual and gender minority individuals, and mother-daughter relationships.

Nelson’s scholarship has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and she is the co-author of “Growing Up Fast and Slow: Young Adults Reflect on Adulthood in Contemporary America.”

An award-winning educator, Nelson is dedicated to creating inclusive and engaging learning environments where students feel empowered to share their perspectives while thoughtfully considering identity-based differences and experiences. Her courses encourage students to critically examine communication within their relationships, explore the role of social identity in communication, and understand how communication can be leveraged to promote positive social change.

Nelson received the Loren Reid Outstanding Graduate Student Teacher Award from the University of Missouri and has been recognized with numerous honors at Cal Poly, including the Outstanding Educator in GE Courses Award, Faculty Role Model of the Year Award, Terrance Harris Mentorship Award, COMS Student Success Award, College of Liberal Arts Early Career Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Outstanding Faculty Advisor of the Year Award. Her contributions have also been recognized nationally and regionally through the Western States Communication Association Distinguished Teaching Award and the National Communication Association’s Leslie A. Baxter Early Career Award in Family Communication.

Leslie Nelson earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Missouri. She joined the Communications Studies faculty at Cal Poly in 2018 and has won numerous awards for teaching and advising.

John Oliver, Ph.D.

Professor
Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
 

John Oliver is widely regarded by students as an exceptional educator whose teaching combines technical rigor, innovation and genuine care for student success. Across courses in embedded systems, machine learning and senior capstone design, students consistently describe his ability to make complex material accessible through clear instruction, practical examples and hands-on learning experiences. His commitment to keeping the curriculum relevant is particularly evident in his development of new courses. He also places significant focus on transfer student success and equitable teaching.

What stands out most is Oliver’s commitment to his students as people as well as learners. He creates an inclusive and supportive classroom environment, regularly checking in with students, providing detailed feedback, and making himself available inside and outside of the classroom. Many students credit his courses with helping them discover career interests, secure internships, pursue graduate study, and gain confidence as engineers.

Beyond his technical teaching, students consistently highlight Oliver’s emphasis on the ethical and societal implications of emerging technologies. He regularly challenges students to think critically about how artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics affect people and communities, encouraging them to look beyond technical achievement and consider the broader consequences of their work. For many, these discussions were transformative, inspiring them to pursue engineering to serve society and create positive change.

John Oliver earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Boston University and a doctorate in computer engineering at the University of California, Davis. He joined Cal Poly in 2007 and currently teaches in the Computer Engineering Department.

Joshua Shackman, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
International Business and Logistics
Orfalea School of Business
Solano Campus

Joshua Shackman is an associate professor in the Department of International Business and Logistics at Cal Poly Maritime Academy. He teaches classes in business analytics, finance, accounting and information systems. Prior to joining Cal Poly Maritime Academy, he spent more than a decade at Chongquing University in China, giving him a unique perspective on international business and trade issues across Asia.

He is known by his students as a professor who goes above and beyond to help them succeed. His classes are challenging, yet he takes ample time, detail and care to explain complex quantitative concepts in a way that students can grasp. One student praised Shackman for his ability to explain quantitative methods applied to business landscapes across accounting and analytics.

Students also say that he is a strong relationship builder and that he encourages them to work out solutions on their own first, only gracefully providing correct answers as they begin to understand course content.

He has published extensively in a wide variety of journals such as the Maritime Business Review, Marine Transport Research, Management International Review, Journal of Financial Services Research, the Managerial Auditing Journal, and many others. He is currently on the editorial board of the Maritime Business Review.

Joshua Shackman earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan and his master’s and doctorate degrees in economics from the University of California Los Angeles. He joined Cal Poly Maritime Academy in 2017.

Eric Espinoza-Wade, Ph.D.

Associate Professor
Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering

Eric Espinoza-Wade embodies Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy through research that translates engineering innovation into meaningful human impact. After earning his doctorate and building a strong research foundation in patient behavior, he realized he wanted his work to be more directly connected to improving the lives of the people he studied.

This insight led him to focus on social robotics and the development of technologies that help individuals with neurological conditions, including stroke and Parkinson’s disease, live healthier and more independent lives.

Working closely with students and interdisciplinary collaborators, Espinoza-Wade has developed engineering solutions that address the challenges patients face as they transition between clinical care and home environments. His research leverages sensors, socially assistive robots, and other emerging technologies to support a broad range of patient populations including infants, adults and older adults living with chronic neurological conditions.

His work has received support from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation through a prestigious CAREER Award. His research on cerebral palsy in infants has been funded by the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and UC Irvine and is currently being implemented through partnerships with Chapman University and CHOC.

The impact of his research has been shared through leading engineering and medical journals, as well as presentations at national and international conferences. Espinoza-Wade actively engages undergraduate and graduate students in his research, integrating hands-on learning experiences into the curriculum and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration through biomedical engineering capstone projects.

Eric Espinoza-Wade earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He joined the Cal Poly faculty as an assistant professor in 2019.

Emily Taylor, Ph.D.

Professor
Biological Sciences
Bailey College of Science and Mathematics

Emily Taylor is a nationally recognized physiologist whose research explores the natural history, ecology and environmental physiology of reptiles and amphibians, with a particular focus on rattlesnakes in California and beyond. Her work examines how global environmental change affects these species, advancing scientific understanding of the physiological challenges wildlife face in a rapidly changing world. In addition to her research, she is a textbook author, teaches multiple physiology courses, and directs Cal Poly’s Physiological Ecology of Reptiles Laboratory (PERL).

A passionate advocate for science communication and public engagement, Dr. Taylor co-founded Project RattleCam, to provide livestream views of rattlesnake communities in their natural habitat. The project serves as an educational resource for elementary students while also creating unique opportunities for scientific research. RattleCam has attracted more than four million views to its YouTube broadcasts.

Research associated with the project suggests that observing rattlesnakes in real time can foster constructive dialogue between scientists and the public and improve perceptions of these often-misunderstood animals.

Taylor has built an extensive network of scientific collaborators and is deeply committed to student-centered research. Her work has resulted in numerous influential publications, many of them co-authored with undergraduate and graduate students. To date, more than 100 student researchers have contributed as co-authors to her scholarly publications, reflecting her dedication to Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing philosophy.

Emily Taylor earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a doctorate in Biology from Arizona State University. She joined Cal Poly’s Biological Sciences Department as an assistant professor in 2005 and currently teaches physiology while leading the Physiological Ecology of Reptiles Laboratory (PERL).

Richard Volpe

Professor
Agribusiness
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences

Richard Volpe’s scholarship sits at the intersection of agriculture, business and public policy, connecting academic research with real-world challenges facing the U.S. food system. He began his career as an economist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, where he studied food prices, competition within the food industry, and the nutritional quality of grocery purchases made by American households.

Since joining Cal Poly in 2014, Volpe has taught courses in food retailing and supply chain management, transportation and logistics, and data analysis. His teaching emphasizes the practical application of economic principles to the movement of food and goods through increasingly complex markets and supply networks.

Volpe’s research focuses on the industrial organization of the U.S. food system. His work evaluates food prices, product availability, and consumer access to food, as well as the broader implications of these factors for the food industry and the economy. Through this research, he provides insights into the forces shaping food markets and consumer behavior.

His expertise has been sought by policymakers at the highest levels of government, including the U.S. Council of Economic Advisers, the Office of the Chief Economist at the USDA, congressional staff serving on U.S. House and Senate committees, and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He also collaborates closely with industry organizations, including the California Grocers Association and the National Grocers Association.

Volpe’s research has been supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and strengthened through collaborations with government agencies, researchers at universities across the country, and Cal Poly colleagues.

His work is integrated into undergraduate curricula, and his students have co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles.

Richard Volpe earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics and a master’s degree in resource economics, both from the University of Massachusetts. His doctorate is in agricultural and resource economics from the University of California, Davis.

David Kempken

Instructional Shops Manager
College of Architecture Environmental Design

David Kempken is an MFA-trained artist, fabricator and educator whose expertise spans a wide range of materials, tools and fabrication processes. The instructional shops he developed and manages are a cornerstone of the Learn by Doing experience in Cal Poly’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design and include the Wood Shop, Metal Shops, Tool Room, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Equipment, Materials Testing Lab and Fabrication Lab.

Over the years, Kempken and his team transformed the shops into welcoming and highly functional learning environments. They enhanced safety systems, processes and workflows, and expanded fabrication capabilities through the addition of foundry and casting facilities. They also developed online safety tutorials that are essential to the safety and well-being of all users. 

Today, the shop serves hundreds of first-year students and plays an integral role in the college’s upper-level programs, effectively supporting students, faculty and staff. Through his artistic vision and technical expertise, Kempken has opened new creative possibilities, helping students bring ambitious and experimental ideas to life. He is known for guiding students through complex and often intimidating fabrication processes, becoming a trusted mentor whose impact extends far beyond technical instruction.

Kempken also collaborates closely with faculty on curriculum development and project planning, helping connect academic goals with real-world fabrication practices. Drawing on extensive industry relationships, he expands opportunities for collaboration and broadens what students and faculty can accomplish. His unique combination of creativity, technical mastery and dedication to student success has made him an invaluable resource to the college and a lasting influence on generations of Cal Poly students.

David Kempken earned a master of fine arts in spatial arts from San Jose State University.

Andrea Lawson

Director of Counseling and Psychological Services
Campus Health and Wellbeing 

Andrea Lawson is a licensed clinical social worker and the director of Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), where she leads a team of more than 25 clinicians dedicated to supporting student mental health and wellbeing.

Since joining Cal Poly in 2020, Lawson has significantly expanded access to counseling and psychological services by integrating CAPS more closely with Campus Health and Wellbeing. Under her leadership, the department has increased after-hours support, introduced early-intervention and first-responder programs, and launched an ADHD assessment pilot. Through a data-informed approach to resource allocation and service delivery, she has also dramatically reduced student wait times, ensuring that more students receive timely care when they need it most.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Lawson is passionate about connecting students, faculty and staff with the resources they need to succeed. She has become a trusted partner across the university, working closely with colleagues to strengthen student support systems, develop Learn by Doing opportunities, and foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for students of all identities. While she readily steps in to provide crisis support when needed, she is equally energized by building systems, partnerships and programs that promote long-term student wellbeing.

Lawson’s vision, compassion and unwavering commitment to students have made her a transformative leader at Cal Poly, positively impacting the lives of countless students and strengthening the university's culture of care and belonging

Andrea Lawson earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Gordon College and a master’s in social work from Colorado State University.

Doug Roberts

Assistant Director
IT Infrastructure Operations

Doug Roberts has dedicated his career to ensuring that the technology infrastructure supporting Cal Poly remains reliable, resilient and ready for the future. As demand for connectivity, computing power and digital services continues to grow, Roberts has become a trusted leader known for finding practical solutions to complex challenges.

Over a period marked by rapid enrollment growth, major campus construction and evolving technology needs, Roberts has led some of Cal Poly’s most significant technology initiatives. He championed the Cloud Gateway Data Center, a state-of-the-art facility that strengthens Cal Poly’s computing capacity, resilience and redundancy. He also led campuswide network and Wi-Fi modernization efforts, transforming the digital foundation that supports teaching, research and daily operations.

Roberts is respected for combining technical expertise with creativity, collaboration and sound judgment. His deep knowledge of campus infrastructure and CSU telecommunications standards helped save millions of dollars on major construction projects while reducing costs, risk and project timelines. Colleagues consistently describe him as a thoughtful partner who finds achievable paths forward, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Roberts is equally committed to people. He has developed a high-performing team of 28 professionals while mentoring countless student employees. Viewing student employment as an extension of the classroom, he emphasizes that academics come first and works with students develop the professional skills needed for success after graduation.

Whether strengthening critical infrastructure, supporting campus partners, or bringing people together around a Santa Maria-style barbecue, Roberts leads with an unwavering commitment to student success. His impact can be seen not only in Cal Poly’s technology systems but also in the people and teams he helps thrive.

Doug Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of La Verne and is pursuing an MBA.

Rebekah Oulton, Ph.D.

Professor
Civil and Environmental Engineering
College of Engineering
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Rebekah Oulton goes far beyond providing course registration assistance. She takes the time to understand each student’s goals, challenges and aspirations — offering personalized guidance that helps them navigate academic, professional and personal decisions with confidence. Whether helping students recover from academic setbacks, evaluate a change of major, plan for graduate school, study abroad or manage complex degree requirements, she is known for finding thoughtful, practical solutions tailored to each individual’s situation.

Students repeatedly describe Oulton as an unwavering advocate who is deeply invested in their well-being. She is highly responsive, remarkably knowledgeable about university policies and curriculum requirements, and always willing to make time for students, even outside traditional advising hours. Many credit her with helping them persevere through some of the most difficult periods of their college careers, including academic probation, health challenges, and uncertainty about their future paths. Her encouragement, patience and belief in students’ potential help them develop confidence and resilience while keeping their long-term goals in focus.

Beyond one-on-one advising, Oulton has created systems and programs that support hundreds of students each year. Through advising workshops, graduate school information sessions, semester-conversion guidance, and career development programming, she proactively ensures students have the resources they need to succeed. At the same time, she remains approachable and authentic. Students consistently describe her as someone whose influence has shaped their academic journeys, professional development and personal growth in lasting ways.

Rebekah Oulton earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in general engineering from Harvey Mudd College and her doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Iowa. She maintains PE licenses in civil and mechanical engineering, is LEED accredited and an ISI Envision Sustainability Professional.

Kristen O’Halloran Cardinal, Ph.D.

Professor and Department Chair
Biomedical Engineering
College of Engineering

Kristen O’Halloran Cardinal exemplifies the highest standards of faculty leadership in philanthropy through sustained, strategic and deeply personal commitment to building partnerships that advance Cal Poly’s academic mission.

Her work reflects the very best of faculty-led philanthropy: cultivating relationships built on trust, connecting donor giving to meaningful purpose, and championing initiatives that strengthen student success, faculty scholarship and long-term program excellence.

Through her leadership, Cardinal has strengthened the Biomedical Engineering Department, expanded transformative Learn by Doing opportunities for students and fostered strategic partnerships that will benefit faculty, students and the university for years to come.

She consistently models how faculty can connect academic vision with donor engagement in ways that deepen the university’s impact and inspire continued investment in our mission.

Kristen is a 2025 winner of the Distinguished Scholarship Award and is also a past recipient of the Cal Poly Outstanding Faculty Advisor award. These awards have recognized her outstanding research, leadership in shaping biomedical engineering curriculum and her advocacy for strong mentoring and professional networks that support women and all members of the engineering profession. She embodies the very best of Cal Poly faculty through her fundraising, scholarship, service, leadership and dedication to student success.

Kristen O’Halloran Cardinal earned a doctorate in biomedical engineering and a certificate in college teaching from the University of Arizona. She holds a bachelor’s degree in general engineering from Cal Poly.