Faculty, Staff Awardees to be Recognized at Convocation on Sept. 12
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the annual Convocation event at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 12, in the Performing Arts Center. The event will also be live-streamed on the Fall Conference website. Cynthia Vizcaíno Villa, senior vice president, Administration and Finance, will serve as emcee. The program includes representatives from student government, the California Faculty Association, the CSU Employee Union and the Academic Senate. President Armstrong will give his State of the University address. The award winners for Distinguished Scholarship, Distinguished Teaching, Outstanding Staff, Outstanding Faculty Advisory, Provost Leadership for Partnership in Philanthropy and Learn by Doing will be recognized. A reception will immediately follow at approximately 4 p.m. in the PAC Plaza. Spouses and partners of employees are welcome to attend.
Dawn Neill Named Administrator in Charge for R-EDGE
Dawn Neill will assume the role of administrator in charge for Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education (R-EDGE) on Sept. 12. Neill is the director of research engagement and internationalization in the College of Liberal Arts and a professor of anthropology in the Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts Department. She is the most recent chair of the Cal Poly Grants Review Committee and a member of the research advisory council for R-EDGE. Her research specializations include medical and nutritional anthropology, food systems studies, evolutionary demography, parental investment, and the ecology of obesity. Neill earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in anthropology from Louisiana State University. She earned a master’s degree in nutritional sciences and her doctorate in biocultural anthropology from the University of Washington. The search for the vice president for R-EDGE was extended in June, and further updates will be shared this fall.
Farewell Reception Planned for College of Engineering Executive Associate Dean Rakesh Goel
College of Engineering Executive Associate Dean Rakesh Goel has been named the dean of engineering at UC Merced. Goel has been at Cal Poly since 1997. Before his role as associate dean, he served as chair of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, interim chair of the Electrical Engineering Department, chair of tenured faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department and as a senator in the Cal Poly Academic Senate. Goel is a national and international leader in his discipline of earthquake analysis and the design of structures. His work has been adapted by seismic codes and guidelines in the U.S., and he has authored or co-authored more than 150 technical publications. Goel was awarded the Amman Fellowship, Huber Research Prize and Norman Medal by the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also received Northrop Grumman Research and Development Award for his research accomplishments at Cal Poly and has received funding for his work from federal and state agencies and private industry. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Structural Engineering Institute. He chaired three prominent ASCE committees and served on the Journal of Structural Engineering and Earthquake Spectra editorial board. A farewell reception for Goel is planned from 3-5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, in the Advanced Technologies Laboratory. Join the College of Engineering in saying farewell.
Center for Health Research Awarded $5.6 Million Grant
The largest research grant received by Cal Poly’s Center for Health Research —$5.6 million in National Institute of Health (NIH) funding— will promote and study cardiovascular health among pregnant women and infants. The grant is part of a multi-phase, seven-year research project involving more than 500 participants in California and Rhode Island enrolled in programs with home health visitation services. About 60% of the participants in the Cal Poly grant study will be Hispanic women in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Fresno counties. “It’s really trying to promote long-term heart health in families who have been historically minoritized, underrepresented and low-resourced in our region,” said Suzanne Phelan, director of the Center for Health Research and professor of kinesiology and public health. Phelan, pictured, is the principal investigator leading the research effort.
New Eco-Friendly Glue Designed in Cal Poly Chemistry Lab Leads to Public-Private Partnership
Chemistry Professor Philip Costanzo and several students have developed a new adhesive, in collaboration with an East Coast company, that has the potential to significantly impact the amount of consumer materials that are recycled in the U.S. and worldwide. Costanzo, pictured, has been developing a new glue in his Cal Poly laboratory in partnership with the technology development and consulting company Geisys Ventures, LLC (Geisys). Their public-private partnership is the basis for a joint commercial venture. So far, seven students have been involved in developing the ecology-friendly product, gaining invaluable Learn by Doing experience in the process. “Working with Dr. Costanzo in undergraduate research and in partnership with Geisys Ventures has been an exciting and rewarding experience in multiple ways,” biochemistry major Taylor Vaughan said. “I have really enjoyed the hands-on learning environment and being a part of a fun group of people that also are passionate about chemistry and learning.”
Cal Poly and CSU Continue to Support Affordable Learning Solutions
In support of faculty and students and achieving the goals of Graduation Initiative 2025, the CSU awarded over $17,000 to Cal Poly’s Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) program for the 2022-23 academic year. This is the 10th consecutive year that Cal Poly’s AL$ program has been awarded a grant through the Chancellor’s Office. The funds sustain Cal Poly’s program that promotes faculty adoption of low- or no-cost educational course materials, which helps to make earning a college degree more affordable. Anne Regan, Cal Poly’s AL$ coordinator working in the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology, notes that faculty who have adopted open educational resources saved students more than $3 million in course materials expenses in the past academic year. Faculty interested in exploring open educational resources and zero-cost course materials for possible adoption in their classes are invited to contact Regan (aregan@calpoly.edu) for information about logistical and financial support opportunities.
Nominations for Honorary Degrees Due Sept. 30
Confidential nominations are open for honorary degrees to be awarded by the CSU and Cal Poly in 2023. Honorary degrees may be awarded to recognize achievements in all parts of the world. Nominees must demonstrate high moral character, be distinguished in their respected fields, and the eminence of persons nominated must be widely recognized. Nominees must have demonstrated intellectual and humane values that are consistent with the ideals of the CSU, the aims of higher education and with the highest ideals of the person’s chosen fields. Service or benefaction to the university do not alone justify awarding of an honorary degree. The CSU policy for awarding honorary degrees is available at the CSU PolicyStat website (calstate.policystat.com): PolicyStat ID 8888541. Confidential nominations with a justification for the individual’s nomination may be submitted no later than Friday, Sept. 30, to Keith Humphrey, vice president for Student Affairs and Commencement chairperson, at humphrey@calpoly.edu.
Sign Up For a Mustang Move-In Volunteer Shift
Volunteer shift signups are still available for Mustang Move-in this fall. Sign up to volunteer and play an important role in supporting first-year and continuing students as they move into their new home away from home Sept. 13-18. Click here to sign up. All employee volunteers will receive a $50 gift card to the University Store for completing their shift. Opportunities are also available to make this a great team-building activity for you and your colleagues. To learn more and sign up, visit the Employee Engagement Program page.
Career Services Releases Annual Report on Cal Poly Graduate Outcomes
Career Services released its 2020-21 Graduate Status Report (GSR) in August, and it is now available online. The comprehensive report includes a GSR executive summary, overall report, college reports and interactive dashboard, as well as past years' reports. Overall, graduate outcomes remained strong in 2020-21, with 95% of graduates (based on a 52% response rate) securing positive post-graduation outcomes within 9 months of graduation (e.g., full-time employment, graduate school, part-time employment).
ITS Launches Software Hub
Information Technology Services has announced the launch of the new Software Hub service. This online portal enables access to Cal Poly-licensed software for faculty, staff and students to install on personally owned devices. The hub can be accessed at software.calpoly.edu or through the “Software Hub” link under My Apps in the My Cal Poly Portal. The previous system, Service Request System (SRS), is being decommissioned, so be sure to check out the Software Hub for your software needs. The next phase of this effort will include the ability to install software on state-owned computers. More to come. Need help? Contact the Service Desk online via Support Center, or by phone at ext. 6-7000.
New Fall Book and Learning Circles for Faculty and Staff Employees
Employee and Organization Development has announced the fall 2022 Book and Learning Circles, where participants can engage in enriching conversations and connect with peers across campus. Book Circles involve reading a book over the course of three to four sessions. The books are:
- “Burnout Recovery” by Amber Pierce.
- “Belonging at Work” by Rhodes Perry.
- “Originals” by Adam Grant.
- “The Book of Beautiful Questions” by Warren Berger.
Learning Circles involve watching a video, listening to a podcast or reading an article and participating in a discussion during a single session. Learning Circles include:
- “The Cure for Burnout” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski.
- “Return on Generosity presents Belonging at Work” by Shannon Cassidy and Rhodes Perry.
- “How to speak up for yourself” by Adam Galinsky.
- “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” by Simon Sinek.
To view full descriptions and register to attend, visit the Book and Learning Circles webpage at learnandgrow.calpoly.edu.
Faculty Advisor Training Series Set for Fall
University Advising is offering a Faculty Advisor Training Series that introduces undergraduate faculty advisors to academic advising core competencies. The series includes:
- FA 101: Nuts & Bolts of Faculty Advising: Sept. 30
- FA 102: Assemble Your Faculty Advising Toolkit: Oct. 7
- FA 103: Building Student Success through Faculty Advising: Oct. 21
Learn more about the Faculty Advisor Training series. Anyone with questions can contact Christina Wolfe-Chandler, advisor training coordinator, at crwolfe@calpoly.edu.
Find Qualified Student Employees by Posting on MustangJOBS
Do you have a student employee job opening you’d like to promote? Easily post it on MustangJOBS powered by Handshake. Career Services offers this convenient, fast way to quickly reach many qualified Cal Poly student applicants. Whether the posting is for an on-campus job or for a personal household job, MustangJOBS is the ideal place to promote your opportunity. Additionally, students who qualify for Federal Work Study are eligible for on-campus jobs at only 25% cost to the department’s budget. The federal government contributes the other 75% of the wages. Learn more about Federal Work Study. (Tip: for on-campus listings, select “on-campus” rather than “part-time” as the job type). For more information on using MustangJOBS, contact Career Services at careerservices@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-2501.
CTLT Welcoming New Faculty Sept 8
All new and recently hired faculty have the opportunity to connect with Cal Poly and fellow new hires at the New Faculty Foundations event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, in the Advanced Technology Lab (ATL), No. 7. Faculty (lecturers and tenure-line) who are beginning at Cal Poly this fall and any faculty who started in winter or spring 2022 are welcome. A panel of recent new faculty will answer questions, Provost Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore will provide a welcome, and Denise Isom, interim vice president for diversity and inclusion, will provide a keynote. Lunch and an end-of-the-day ice cream social are included. More details about the day’s schedule and registration can be found on the New Faculty Foundations webpage.
Kennedy Library Provides Resources for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Curriculum
The CSU Chancellor’s Office has licensed multiple digital collections of primary sources that are available to all employees and students through the Kennedy Library. These resources include primary sources documenting the experiences of people of color in the United States, including:
- EBSCO’s Ethnic Diversity Sources, which covers culture, traditions, social treatment and lived experiences of African Americans, Arab Americans, Asian Americans, European Americans, Jewish Americans, Latinx Americans, Native Americans and Multiracial Americans.
- The Adam Matthew primary resources from Race Relations in America, American Indian Histories and Cultures, and American Indian Newspapers.
- Proquest ‘s LA Sentinel, African-American Community and Japanese American Incarceration primary resources.
In addition, Cal Poly has added the following resources to its library collections:
- Newsbank’s Hispanic Life in America and Native American Tribal Histories.
- Proquest’s Latino Literature and Latin American Women Writers.
- Gale Archives including: Asian American Studies, African American Studies, Radical Studies, and National Farm Worker Ministry.
The new resources and the library’s over 230 databases can be found on the library databases webpage.
Career Education Canvas Modules Available to Embed in Courses
Career Services offers career curriculum available in Canvas modules, which faculty can embed in their courses. The modules were developed by a team of professional career counselors, in consultation with the Center for Teaching and Learning, the Career Services Advisory Council, faculty and students. The following modules are currently offered:
- Networking.
- Interviewing.
- Discovering Career Possibilities.
- Navigating Your Job/Internship Search.
- Resume and Cover Letter.
Each module is designed to be delivered asynchronously and includes several customizable components, such as readings, videos and activities. Faculty are encouraged to complement the material by having a career counselor visit their class as well. Learn more about the modules and/or request access. If you've used the modules in the past, continue to submit this form each quarter you use them to help Career Services track student utilization of this service.
University Personnel Offers Well-Being Workshops in September and October
University Personnel has worked with Cal Poly’s employee assistance program, LifeMatters, to offer synchronous well-being workshops in September and October. They include:
- Communicating Cooperatively at Work: Enhance interpersonal communication skills and learn to communicate more effectively. Learn strategies for sending and receiving complex communications, discover the five levels of listening, understand how to communicate well in challenging situations and learn to emphasize communication in team relationships. Sept. 21 at 10 a.m.
- Healthy Remedies for Managing Stress: Understand everyday stress and healthy ways to manage stress levels. This session will cover sources and symptoms of stress, attitudes, gaining perspective and relaxation. Oct. 20 at 12 p.m.
Contact Lisa Gray at lcgray@calpoly.edu for more information on well-being workshops.
Take Advantage of Professional Development Courses in September
Employee and Organization Development is pleased to share the release of the September professional development offerings as part of the Cross Campus Collaboration, a series of online workshops offered by Cal Poly and other CSU campuses. These unique opportunities extend learning beyond campus borders and offer a new way to share professional development. New courses and dates were added for September. View and register using the links below. Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Meeting People Where They Are: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence: Sept. 9, 10 a.m.-noon.
- Entrenched Conflict to Calm Collaboration-Using "De-escalation Listening”: Sept. 14, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Decisions, Decisions! Creative Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Techniques: Sept. 15, 2-4 p.m.
- Religious Accommodations in the Classroom: Sept. 16, 11-noon.
- Onboarding and Offboarding Employees — Keys to Continuity: Sept. 20, 10-11:30 a.m.
- Productivity Tools: Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Excel Tips and Tricks: Sept. 22, 10-11 a.m.
- Facilitation for Faculty: Sept. 23, 1-2 p.m.
- The Five Elements of Wellbeing: Sept. 23, 2:30-4 p.m.
- Nurturing Emotional Well-Being: Sept. 27, 2-3:15 p.m.
- Personal Branding — Building your Professional Presence: Sept. 28, 2-3 p.m.
- Exposing Hidden Bias: Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Check the Upcoming Opportunities page of the learnandgrow.calpoly.edu website for updates.
CTLT offering Foundations of College Teaching workshops
The Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is rolling out a new set of workshops before classes start, which were created to introduce newer faculty to core skills for college teaching. The Foundations of College Teaching workshops are hands-on, basic-level workshops designed to be especially useful for educators who have had modest amounts of mentoring or guidance on effective teaching. They are likely of special interest to faculty who are professional and industry experts hired as lecturers with little prior college-level teaching experience. They are designed as well for recent graduates who had few opportunities to develop teaching skills in their program. In addition, any Cal Poly educator interested in refreshing their skills are welcome. The workshops include a working session that provides opportunities to begin drafting materials for immediate application. Each is offered multiple times in recognition of the many obligations that newer faculty have before classes begin. For workshop titles, descriptions and dates/times as well as to register, visit the Foundations of College Teaching page on the CTLT website.
Chris Miller will retire from his managing director role at the Performing Arts Center after six and a half years. Throughout his time Miller managed the PAC’s $3 million annual operating budget, and oversaw nearly 400 annual public and university events, hosting approximately 75,000 event attendees annually. The PAC saw financial success during his tenure with operating surpluses each fiscal year, except the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season. The PAC’s operating reserve balance has doubled, and nearly $2 million has been added to its Major Maintenance/Capital Renewal Fund. Miller is most proud of how the PAC staff overcame the significant challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as they pivoted to provide critical support for pandemic response and testing on campus, and quickly developed the capacity to produce complex virtual events, including a concert series featuring local artists. Miller joined the PAC in May 2016, relocating from Seattle, where he enjoyed a 30-year career in various performing arts and venue management positions. His last day on campus will be Oct. 14. Ryan Gruss, current director of Patron Services and Campus Ticketing, will serve as interim managing director starting Oct. 15. There will be a reception to celebrate Miller’s retirement and welcome Gruss from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in the PAC lobby. Sign the virtual retirement virtual card for Chris Miller.
Campus Blood Drive Set for Sept. 26
Be a hero and save up to three lives in under an hour. Join the campus blood drive on Monday, Sept. 26, when a Vitalant bus will be parked on the concrete walkway on Dexter Lawn, near the Dexter Building (No. 34). Appointments are available between 10 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Scheduled donations are prioritized over walk-ups. Donors are encouraged to hydrate well and eat a hearty meal before donating. The blood drive is hosted by the Orfalea College of Business, University Personnel and Campus Health and Wellbeing. Contact Lisa Gray at lcgray@calpoly.edu for more information.
Statistical Consulting Service Available to Campus Community
The Statistics Department is offering a statistical consulting service to the university community to facilitate research design and data analysis in a wide variety of disciplines. Consulting will be available through Dec. 2 by appointment only. John Walker will serve as the consultant. He is available to advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, he is available to lead seminars or tutorials on requested topics and offer advice on various computer packages available at Cal Poly. Faculty, staff and students interested in utilizing the consulting service are encouraged to access the Statistics Department website for additional information, including what to bring to a consulting session. To schedule a consultation, email statconsulting@calpoly.edu.
Mindfulness Meditation Group to Meet Mondays Fall Quarter
The Mindfulness Meditation Group will meet this fall every Monday that classes are scheduled, from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 252 in the Computer Science Building (No. 14). There will also be a Zoom option for those interested in attending virtually. Mindfulness meditation is a non-religious exercise of paying attention to your present-moment experience. Everyone is welcome — faculty, staff and students. No experience is necessary. Two minutes of instruction will precede 30 minutes (12:15–12:45 p.m.) of silent meditation (with headphones permitted). For more information, contact Matthew J. Moore at mmoore02@calpoly.edu or ext. 6-2895.
Cal Poly Music Department Announces 2022-23 Events Season
The Music Department’s new season will feature numerous student and faculty performers as well as guest artists. This first event, on Oct. 6, will be a recital featuring Director of Jazz Studies Arthur White with guest artists. On Oct. 20, andPlay duo will present “Collaborating with Technology,” and the final October event will be a Faculty Showcase Recital on Oct. 21. Additional fall events include:
- Nov. 4 — Bandfest 2022
- Nov. 18 — Fall Jazz Concert
- Dec. 2 — Choirs’ Holiday Kaleidoscope
- Dec. 3 — Arab Music Ensemble Fall Concert<
- Dec. 4 — Symphony: Madrone String Quartet and the New World
The 2022-23 season offerings are available on the Music Department’s calendar website. For more information, email the department or call ext. 6-2406. Tickets are on sale at the Cal Poly Ticket Office. To order by phone, call ext. 6-4849. Cal Poly faculty and staff receive a 20% discount on individual tickets.
Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship to Host Demo Day 2022
The Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) will host its annual Demo Day to showcase seven Summer Accelerator program startups at SLO Brew Rock on Tuesday, Sept. 13. Demo Day culminates the CIE’s 2022 Summer Accelerator, an intensive, 13-week program that helps students and recent graduates develop their startup ideas into real businesses. Representatives from each of the seven companies will pitch their startups and show what they’ve accomplished with the help of dedicated CIE mentors and staff. The event is open to the public and attendees will get the opportunity to meet Cal Poly’s top innovators and discuss how their startups are shaping the future of innovation. Demo Day general admission tickets to attend in-person at SLO Brew Rock are available for $10. In-person seating is limited, but the event will also be livestreamed for those who register for virtual tickets.
‘Picasso Presents Gernika’ to be Screened Sept. 26
“Picasso Presents Gernika,” a film screening and discussion led by UC Riverside’s Begoña Echeverria and Annika Speer, will be presented at 10:10 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 26, in Room 126 of the Erhart Agriculture Building (No. 10). "Picasso Presents Gernika" is a play by Echeverria that explores the bombing of the Basque town Gernika during the Spanish Civil War, as well as Picasso's creative response (Guernica). The film interweaves footage of a staged reading of the play with archival and audio-visual materials. "Picasso Presents Gernika" continues to resonate powerfully with current refugee and human rights crises. The event is sponsored by the CLA, World Languages and Cultures Department, Social Sciences Department, and Interdisciplinary Studies in Liberal Arts. For more information, contact Dr. Karen Muñoz-Christian (kschrist@calpoly.edu).
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 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 includes 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.