Save the Date for Facilities Management and Development Virtual Spring Summit 2022
Facilities Management and Development (FMD) will host a series of virtual Zoom sessions this year in lieu of the annual Virtual Spring Summit and Open House. From March 22-25, the campus community is invited to attend sessions on a variety of interesting and informative facilities-related topics. This year’s session topics include sustainability, the environmental and safety program, campus planning, information security, service request processes and more. Visit the FMD Virtual Spring Summit webpage to view the detailed session list, schedule and to register. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues in FMD and learn more about the range of services and support they provide. Questions? Contact the Facilities Management and Development Help Center at facilities-cbs@calpoly.edu or call ext. 6-5555.
Elizabeth Lowham Accepts Post at Fresno State as Dean
Elizabeth Lowham, interim dean for Graduate Education and administrator in charge of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education (R-EDGE), has accepted the position of dean of the College of Social Sciences at Fresno State. Lowham joined Cal Poly’s Political Science Department in 2007 and was department chair from 2015-19. She has also served as director for the interdisciplinary studies major, the Science, Technology and Society Minors Program, the Center for Expressive Technologies and the Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. She also served as interim assistant chair for the Electrical Engineering Department. She has led Graduate Education as interim dean since 2019 and has served as the administrator in charge of R-EDGE since April 2021. Lowham will continue as administrator in charge of R-EDGE until March 28 and as interim dean of Graduate Education until May 31.
Robert Crockett Assumes Role as Administrator in Charge of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education
Robert Crockett, professor in the Biomedical Engineering Department, assumed the role of administrator in charge of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education (R-EDGE) on March 28. Crockett joined Cal Poly in 2003 and has served as department chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department and as associate dean for Innovation Infrastructure in the College of Engineering. Crockett also has worked in the aerospace, biotechnology, medical device and consumer products industries in leadership roles on both the strategic and tactical sides of engineering and internet protocal (IP) development. In addition to his academic work, Crockett is involved in four technology-based startup companies, including serving as director of X-Lab for HaptX Inc. Crockett earned his doctorate from the University of Arizona in materials science and engineering. He holds an M.B.A. from Pepperdine University and a B.S. in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley. A national search for vice president for R-EDGE is underway. Updates on this search, including details of finalists’ visits to campus, are expected to be shared with the campus community this spring.
Campus Health and Wellbeing Names New Clinical Services Director
Sondra Williams has joined Campus Health and Wellbeing (CHW) as clinical services director. Born and raised in North County, Williams has spent most of her nursing career at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton. Her experience also includes home health and serving as a nurse instructor Cuesta College and Atascadero State Hospital. At home, she's a proud mother to four amazing humans and too many farm animals to count. In her free moments, she might be up on the hill petting the horses, catching some good vibes in the cactus garden, or in the Cal Poly plant shop! Williams is beyond excited to join CHW and looks forward to joining the momentum in creating equitable healthcare while helping students develop holistic health-focused practices that they can develop as lifelong habits of self-care.
Attend Student Research Competition March 4-5
All faculty, staff, students and supporters are invited to attend the Cal Poly Student Research Competition. Members of the Academic Senate Grants Review Committee will serve as jurors and select 10 projects to represent campus at the 2022 CSU Student Research Competition. Both the 2022 Cal Poly Student Research Competition (to be held March 4-5) and CSU Student Research Competition (to be held April 29-30) will occur virtually. The CSU Student Research Competition is held each spring to promote excellence in undergraduate and graduate scholarly research and creative activity by recognizing outstanding student accomplishments across the 23 CSU campuses. Current undergraduate students, graduate students and recent alumni from all academic disciplines can participate. More information about the Cal Poly Research Competition — including the schedule for Friday, March 4, and Saturday, March 5 — are available on the Office of Student Research website. Join for part or all of the time. Email studentresearch@calpoly.edu with any questions.
Find Qualified Student Applicants by Posting On-Campus Positions on MustangJOBS
Faculty and staff can easily promote student job openings on MustangJOBS, powered by Handshake. Career Services offers this convenient, fast way to quickly reach many qualified Cal Poly student applicants, including those eligible for Federal Work Study. To post one or more positions on MustangJOBS, click here to get started. Career Services also offers a custom on-campus job posting guide for faculty and staff to maximize their recruiting efforts. For more information on using MustangJOBS, contact Career Services at careerservices@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-2501.
First-Year Success Program Coaches needed for Spring Quarter
The First-Year Success Program (FSP) is looking for graduate students, faculty and staff from across campus who want to serve as academic coaches for first-time freshmen who are on academic probation for the first time. FSP coaches will support a small group of students by facilitating growth-centered conversations, engaging in goal setting and skill development, and exploring resources that students can use to help them move toward success in future quarters. FSP staff will provide a training on Friday, March 18, to discuss the details of the program and provide materials. FSP is looking for diverse members of the campus community who represent all areas of Cal Poly. All levels of experience and background are welcome. Sign-up or express interest by Wednesday, March 16. Questions? Contact Kara Hitchcock at khitch01@calpoly.edu.
Student Affairs Recognizes Staff Members with Annual Chandler Award
Student Affairs recently honored Danielle Johnson (Disability Resource Center), Hugo Leon (University Housing), and Karen Woods (Campus Health and Wellbeing) as the division’s annual Chandler Award recipients. Announced during the division’s Winter Recharge event, the Chandler Award For Service to Students and The Profession was established in 1998 and honors three division employees who are enthusiastically committed to maintaining positive relationships with co-workers, Cal Poly employees and students. The award is named in honor of the late Everett and Mrs. Arlene Chandler, longtime stalwarts at Cal Poly and Cuesta College, respectively. Everett Chandler served as Cal Poly’s dean of students for 27 years (1951-78) and established the university’s Education Opportunity Program (EOP) in 1968. Arlene Chandler served as Cal Poly’s Dean of Women from 1960-62 and later served as the head of the Humanities Department at Cuesta College.
Call for Nominations Extended for 2021-22 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award
Nominations for the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award have been extended to 5 p.m. Monday, March 7. The award recognizes a faculty member who has had a positive influence on students through academic advising. The award recipient will receive a $2,000 cash stipend and be recognized by President Armstrong at Fall Conference. One faculty member will be recognized annually. The nomination should describe the nominee’s academic advising services, activities and interactions as distinct from the nominee’s teaching responsibilities, as well as any special activities that relate to student development. Faculty, staff and current students are eligible to nominate faculty for this award. At least one submission must come from a current student, and no self-nominations will be recognized. More information and a link to the nomination form is available on the Academic Advising site. Questions? Contact Shelly Wolf at scwolf@calpoly.edu.
Join Cal Poly Baseball for Faculty/Staff Appreciation on March 2
As a sign of appreciation for everything faculty and staff members do for the university, Cal Poly Athletics is pleased to offer four free general admission tickets to the Cal Poly baseball game on Wednesday, March 2. The Mustangs are playing Portland and first pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Baggett Stadium. All faculty and staff can claim their four free tickets to the game by showing their Cal Poly ID at the Cal Poly Ticket Office or at the Baggett Stadium Box Office on the day of the game. For more information or to purchase tickets to other Cal Poly baseball games, visit www.gopoly.com.
Workshop on Supporting Survivors to be Held March 10
Safer and the Disability Resource Center are collaborating to host a virtual workshop on how staff and faculty can better support survivors of gender and power-based violence. The workshop will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 10. Topics will include how to respond to disclosures, the basics of trauma informed care and how to apply those basics in the classroom, accommodations that are available for students, and the process used to access them. Additional workshop dates are forthcoming.
Faculty Nominations Open to Serve on Cal Poly Corporation Board
The Academic Senate is seeking nominations from tenured faculty to serve on the Cal Poly Corporation board of directors for the 2022-25 term. Interested faculty should complete an Expression of Intent and Willingness to Serve form. A description of board member’s responsibilities is available here. The completed form must be received by the Academic Senate office by Friday, March 11. For more information, email Sarah Best at sbest@calpoly.edu.
Free Faculty and Staff #MoveItMarch Passes to the Recreation Center
ASI Recreational Sports wants to get you moving this March. Faculty and staff are invited to enjoy two free days at the Recreation Center as part of a #MoveItMarch special. Ever wanted to experience an Olympic-caliber swimming pool, try a group fitness class, or train in 20,000 square feet of state-of-the-art exercise space? Now is your chance. Just mention #MoveItMarch at the ASI Membership Services front desk, located inside the Recreation Center. Save a few minutes and set up your access before redeeming this special. Download the ASI Access app and follow the steps provided on the ASI website to receive access to the touchless entry system for future visits. The #MoveItMarch passes can only be redeemed and used during the month of March by the eligible user. For more information, contact cpreccenter-memberships@calpoly.edu.
University Personnel Offers Well-Being Workshops in March and April
University Personnel has worked with LifeMatters, Cal Poly’s employee assistance program, to offer synchronous well-being workshops in March and April. They include:
- Managing Multiple Priorities: How do you prioritize the many tasks demanding attention? Learn practical strategies for planning your time, prioritizing tasks, and organizing and managing workload. March 10 at 10 a.m.
- Coping with Grief and Loss: Knowing and recognizing the symptoms of grief are the first steps toward feeling good again. Learn the stages of grief, symptoms and reactions to grief, coping with loss, and moving forward. March 24 at 11 a.m.
- The CARE Model: Difficult, sensitive conversations are required from time to time. Has an employee told you they are ill or that they have lost someone? Learn tools to support your team and yourself during difficult times, including self-care, how to approach difficult conversations and more. April 14 at 10 a.m.
- Co-worker Communication: Effective communication skills are central to addressing disagreements and resolving conflicts with co-workers. This workshop includes understanding conflict and resolution, eliminating defensive behavior, and active listening. April 28 at 11 a.m.
CTLT's Spring Quarter Opportunities for Educators
The lineup of spring quarter professional development offerings from the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is available for faculty to explore. All activities will be fully virtual or offer virtual options. Workshops include:
- Assignment and Assessment Design to Promote Academic Integrity (new).
- Intro to Teaching With Writing in General Education Courses (new).
- Intro to Online Teaching and Learning .
- Blended/Hybrid Course Design.
- CTLT/CSU Training Opportunities for Teaching Online.
- Creating Accessible Course Materials.
- Examining Whiteness.
- Intro to Equitable and Inclusive Teaching (two cohorts: one for College of Engineering faculty and one for College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences faculty).
Details on workshops and links to signups can be found on the CTLT Workshops page.
In addition, two book circles will be offered in spring quarter:
- “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking The Stress Cycle” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski.
- “Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms” by Joe Feldman.
Details and links to signups for these can be found on the CTLT’s Book Circles page.
Spring Into New Professional Development Courses in March
Employee and Organization Development has announced the March professional development offerings as part of the Cross Campus Collaboration series. Many of Cal Poly’s and the CSU campuses’ workshops are offered online, providing a unique opportunity to extend learning beyond campus borders and offer a new way to share professional development. New courses and dates have been added in March. View and register using the links below. Registration is on a first-come basis.
- March 2, noon to 1 p.m.: Mindfulness Wellness Circle (series 1 of 3).
- March 3, 10 a.m. to noon: Decisions, Decisions! Creative Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Techniques.
- March 8, 10:30-11:30 a.m.: Interviewing 101 Workshop.
- March 9, 2:30-4 p.m.: Exposing Hidden Bias.
- March 15, 9-10 a.m.: Retaining Continuity when Employees Leave.
- March 16, 10 a.m.-noon: True Colors for Personal Success.
- March 17, 1-3 p.m.: Avoiding Bias in Hiring.
- March 17, 1-3 p.m.: Positive Psychology-The Happiness Advantage.
- March 22, 11 a.m.-noon: Ask Me Anything: LinkedIn Edition.
- March 30, 2-3 p.m.: How To Get Your Child to College.
- March 31, 2-3 p.m.: Personal Branding — Building Your Professional Presence.
More classes are coming in April. Check the Upcoming Opportunities page of the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website for updates.
Nancy Wardlaw will retire from Cal Poly on April 1. Wardlaw has been the go-to resource for students, faculty, staff and future Mustangs visiting the Administration Building since 2013. Wardlaw has greeted over 40,000 visitors by answering questions, providing directions, listening to needs, and lending helpful support to our campus community. “From bookstore to state-side, I have loved every job I have had at Cal Poly,” Wardlaw said. “My role in the lobby of the Administration Building brought together a lifetime of experience and skills at the perfect time of my life. My philosophy was to try and be whatever the person on the other side of the desk needed me to be. I hope I got it right. My plans for retirement are summed up in my favorite poem by Sam Walter Foss, ‘Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.’ Thanks for the memories!” Come celebrate Wardlaw from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, March 11, in the Administration Building Lobby. Anyone wishing to submit a written personal tribute or appreciative acknowledgement can contact presidentsevents@calpoly.edu.
Boosters Available on Campus March 4
Need a booster? COVID-19 vaccines and boosters will be available 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 4, in the Recreation Center (No. 43), Room 109. Vaccines will be administered by Rite Aid to employees and their families. Rite Aid will return to campus on Friday, April 1. The clinics are walk-in only. Visit the COVID-19 Vaccine webpage to see updated dates and times, which vaccines will be offered, vaccine and booster eligibility, what to bring and more.
2022 Aspire to Grow Conference Set for March 2
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is hosting the fourth annual Aspire to Grow Conference, exploring innovation in food, agriculture and natural resources, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at the JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture. The symposium will focus on the theme of resilience and the role diversity of thought and experience plays in achieving this. Featured speakers include Leslie Coleman, vice president and head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Nutrien; Toni Bucci, chief operating officer at AgBiome Innovations; Shermika Duerson, senior director, Travel and Administration at Elanco; Rebecca Sandoval, senior recruiter at Brightview Landscapes; and Simonne Mitchelson, south coast estate manager, Jackson Family Wines. The Aspire to Grow Conference aims to inform and empower students from across campus about the many and varied career opportunities in these industries. It will also create a forum for students to learn from and network with companies for which diversity and inclusion are an essential part of their visions. Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend. For more information visit bit.ly/aspiretogrow2022.
NASA Scientist to Present on Journey of James Webb Space Telescope
Planetary scientist Stefanie Milam of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center will present “The Journey of the James Webb Space Telescope: Where We Are and Where We Are Going” from 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 3, online and live in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 007-01). The James Webb Space Telescope is an orbiting infrared observatory that will complement and extend the discoveries of the Hubble Space Telescope. It will study every phase in the history of our universe, including the first luminous glows after the Big Bang, the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets like Earth, and the evolution of our own solar system. Milam will provide an update of the Webb Telescope, briefly review its main science themes, and conclude with some revolutionary science planned for the first year of operations. The talk is free and open to the public. Register for the live event. Register for the online event. For more information, call ext. 6-2448.
Intercultural Competence Collaborative Set for March 4
The World Languages and Cultures Department and School of Education invite faculty and staff to meet and collaborate from 3-5 p.m. Friday, March 4, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7). The event will include discussion and networking around the importance of intercultural competence for faculty, staff and the students they serve. Presentations by Kinesiology and Public Health Department Assistant Professor Marilyn Tseng and Cuesta College Ethnic Studies faculty member Mario Espinoza-Kulick of the Mi Gente, Nuestra Salud initiative, and Agribusiness Department faculty member Tim Delbridge will be followed by informal discussion of culturally sustaining practices. Participants will have the opportunity to make connections with colleagues across disciplines and to brainstorm pathways for our students to become culturally responsive professionals. Organizers hope this event might become a standing meeting once per quarter to provide a space for supportive, inclusive collaboration.
Music Faculty to Perform 'Music She Wrote’ Recital to Celebrate International Women's Day
Music faculty members Amy Goymerac, soprano, and Suzanne Duffy, flute, along with faculty emeritus Susan Azaret Davies, piano, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the Pavilion of the Performing Arts Center. Works by female composers will be performed in honor of International Women’s Day. Local composer Deon Nielsen Price’s works will be included, and the composer will be present to give explanatory remarks about the program. Compositions by Amy Beach, Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Katherine Hoover will also be performed. The recitalists will perform solos, duos and as a trio. Admission is free to the recital, but parking will be enforced. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
International Women’s Day Activities to be Held March 8
The Cal Poly International Center will host a virtual presentation from 5:10-6 p.m. March 8 with guest speaker and Professor Emerita Maliha Zulfacar and moderator and Professor Dawn Neill titled “Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan: A dialogue for engagement and understanding of women’s lives (at risk).” The documentary “Kabul Transit” co-produced and co-directed by Zulfacar can be viewed by the campus community prior to the talk via this link to the Cal Poly Library. The panel is co-sponsored by the College of Liberal Arts; Interdisciplinary Studies Liberal Arts; Social Sciences; Women’s, Gender and Queer Studies; and Men and Masculinities Program. The panel will cover gender-related issues from cross-cultural and international perspectives. To find out more about International Women's Day and ways to celebrate, visit the International Center website or the Facebook event page from Feb. 28-March 11. Then get ready to join the #BreakTheBias #IWD2022 conversation.
Cal Poly Symphony to Feature Student Soloists and Music of Mexico at March 11 Concert
The Cal Poly Symphony will showcase the talents of student soloists at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, in the Performing Arts Center. In addition, the symphony will perform four works by Mexican composers: Arturo Márquez’ “Danzon No. 9” and “Conga del Fuego Nuevo,” Blas Galindo’s “Poema de Neruda,” and Silvestre Revueltas’ “Sensemayá.” The featured students were all winners of the Music Department’s Solo Competition in November. Cellist Karlson Can will perform the first movement of Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E Minor, Op. 85; violinist Fiona Soetrisno will play the first movement of Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, Op. 14; contralto Dylan Benander will sing “Mio cor che mi sai dir” from George Frideric Handel’s “Rinaldo”; and alto Mady Frei will sing “Erbarme dich, mein Gott” from Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion.” Soetrisno is a computer science major, and the others are music majors. The concert will be conducted by Music Professor David Arrivée. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Cal Poly Choirs to Perform ‘To the Hands’ Concert on March 12
The choirs’ Winter Concert, “To the Hands,” will be a collaboration with students from other majors at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12, in the Performing Arts Center. The title piece, “To the Hands,” is by Caroline Shaw and will be performed by PolyPhonics and will feature creative engineering projections and lighting by students in the Liberal Arts in Engineering Program and dancers from the Theatre and Dance Department. The piece explores ways in which homelessness is viewed in society. “To the Hands” is based loosely on a 17th-century piece by Baroque composer Dietriche Buxtehude titled “Jesu Membra Nostri” (“The Limbs of Jesus”). It is a collection of seven short cantatas for soloists, choir and orchestra, and will be performed by the Cal Poly Chamber Choir. The concert will also feature works performed by Cal Poly’s University Singers and the Cal Poly Cello Ensemble. Tickets for the concert are sold at the Cal Poly Ticket Office, ext. 6-4849. For more information, visit the Music Department calendar website or call ext. 6-2406.
Event Postings
Events.calpoly.edu is a new platform that shines a spotlight on high-profile special events at
Cal Poly and throughout our community, focusing on the wide and diverse range of activities on and around our campus. This site is designed to help our colleges, programs, departments and facilities promote exciting events that can be seen by a selected audience. It will update regularly and include events happening in the next 30-45 days. It is not a calendar of all events, and it does not include student club events. Here are some links to help you navigate:
Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu
To submit your event for consideration, please send the event title, date, time, duration, ticket information, intended audience(s) and image (1600 bpi wide) to event-submission@calpoly.edu.
University Events Calendar
To find a listing of all events — such as performances, lectures, workshops and more — visit our Master Calendar.
Scheduling/Booking Venues
25Live: Space and Event Scheduling can help you schedule or book a venue for an upcoming on-campus event.
Note that a minimum three-day lead time is required to process a request for use of space through the Office of the Registrar.
Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more
Find the latest student-focused campus events from your favorite Student Affairs programs and services by visiting the new Cal Poly Now.