Cal Poly Report - June 14, 2023

Issue for: June 14, 2023 Download PDF Version

Concrete Canoe Team Wins Seventh National Title in 13 Years

Eight team members gather along the side of their concrete canoeOceana

The Cal Poly concrete canoe team, the defending national champion, was the school to to beat out of the 20 teams gathered at the 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers Concrete Canoe Competition at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on June 10-12. It became official at the awards presentation at the end of day three: “We won our seventh national title,” beamed civil engineering senior Heather Migdal, one of the paddlers and the team’s project manager. The team’s 2022 victory snapped what had been a four-way tie of five titles with UC Berkeley, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of Wisconsin. The seventh win (in 13 years) of the 36^th annual competition adds an exclamation mark to the title. “This year, we’ve had our fair share of obstacles, but we’ve all come together, put in a tremendous amount of work and effort into this,” Migdal said. “The five senior captains were all on the team last year. We all know what is expected … and I'm just beyond excited and happy that we’re able to say ‘We’re a two-time, national-winning team.” Other team members include Clarissa Arredondo, Peter Cline, Adam Loewenherz, Jonathan Maas, Sarah Sakakihara, Sarah Scherzinger, Nicholas Toma and Ryan Trainoir.

See the overall results of the ASCE national competition

17 Faculty Research Projects Funded Through RSCA Program

Cal Poly’s division of Research, Economic Development and Graduate Education (R-EDGE) announced 17 awards for the 2023-24 cycle of the Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities (RSCA) grant program. Supported by funds from the California State University (CSU) Chancellor's Office and the Cal Poly Provost's Office, the RSCA grant program is designed to enable faculty to contribute new knowledge through robust programs of scholarship focused on strengthening California socially, culturally and economically. “Our faculty continue to impress us with innovative proposals that center student experiences and highlight the quality and depth of research that happens across our campus,” said Sarah Lester, chair of the Grants Review Committee of the Academic Senate. This year, R-EDGE received 44 proposals and awarded over $270,000 in funds to 17 projects. The RSCA program is one mechanism by which Cal Poly supports the teacher-scholar model in which faculty integrate excellence in teaching with excellence in research, scholarly and creative activities. The RSCA program has been active at Cal Poly since the 2014-15 academic year and has provided over $3 million in grants.

Aubrie Adams: 2022-23 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Awardee

a portrait of Brie Adams with arms akimbo

Assistant professor of communication studies Aubrie Adams was named the 2022-23 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award. She will be recognized at the Fall Conference general session in September and will receive a cash stipend. The honor recognizes a faculty member who has had a positive influence on students as an academic adviser. Adams has had a profound impact on the success of her students, fostering professional growth and encouraging them to strive for success — personally and academically. For more details on Adams and past outstanding faculty awardees, visit the Outstanding Faculty Advisor website.

Campus Invited to Annual BEACoN Research Symposium June 14

3 photos showcasing BEACoN Research Scholars conducting research on campus with graphics of a pen, magnifying glass and digital path overlayed

The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion invites the campus community to the annual BEACoN Research Symposium from noon to 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, in the Multi-Use Activity Center, located on the south side of the Recreation Center. The event highlights the exceptional research projects undertaken by student and faculty teams from the six colleges. Besides the research and connection, free tacos and paletas — fruity Mexican frozen treat — will be served in the courtyard. The BEACoN Research Mentoring Program also empowers and advocates for underrepresented students through funded undergraduate research opportunities, allowing students to work closely with faculty mentors during winter and spring quarters. Student participants gain valuable research experience and participate in professional development events. Symposium attendees can engage with the researchers and their mentors in an interactive poster session, which will provide valuable insights into their work.

Learn more about the 2023 BEACoN Research Symposium

PAC Adds Scenic Mural as Part of Summer Spruce-up

the colorful mural shows the PAC buildiing and palm trees

There’s something new at the Performing Arts Center that patrons won’t need a ticket to see. A colorful, postcard-like mural featuring the PAC welcomes all to the venue and San Luis Obispo. The work, finished in early June by San Luis Obispo-based Marmalade Mural Co., graces a formerly blank concrete wall by the stage door. “We wanted to add some art to an otherwise ugly/boring place, and welcome artists arriving for a show with a taste of the Central Coast,” said Ryan Gruss, PAC managing director. “The hope is they will utilize it for their social media. We wanted it large enough to be seen from the parking structure as well to hopefully begin updating the PAC’s overall aesthetic.” The timing is also good as the campus readies for a flood of visitors for the upcoming June 17-18 commencement ceremonies. And the mural makes a colorful backdrop for glown-clad graduates-to-be strolling the campus for personal farewell photos. The PAC is adding more art and updating the lobby this summer. In addition, a project to make improvements at the PAC plaza will start in July.

Pardon the Dust: Summer Campus Construction to Get Underway

a colorful architectural rendering of the completed Madden Football Center

Summer at Cal Poly will be bustling with construction for nearly a dozen major capital projects. These include the John Madden Football Center (pictured), a larger Administration Building (A-1) parking lot, University Union interior renovations, the start of the two-year Kennedy Library transformation and the next phase of the Technology Park on Mount Bishop Road. These projects are part of the Cal Poly Master Plan, the blueprint for university efforts to grow, innovate and improve the campus through 2035. The plan, approved in 2015, supports and advances the university’s educational mission by guiding the development of the physical campus and its facilities to accommodate student enrollment goals while preserving and enhancing the quality of campus life. With so many exciting campus developments comes temporary traffic and parking impacts. Those coming to campus over the summer can check online for the latest project updates and up-to-date parking lot and street closures.

Sustainable Measures Enhance Commencement Experience

A tent where volunteers collected used graduation gowns after the fall 2022 commencement

Cal Poly has made several subtle changes to the commencement ceremonies on June 17-18 to lessen the environmental impact of the June celebration but not the joy and certainly not the cheers. The more than 5,000 graduation candidates will receive water in aluminum cans instead of single-use plastic water bottles. And the estimated 50,000 spectators will drink from eco-friendly paper cups. There are fewer printed programs — each grad will two and a QR code to access a pdf of the document. Other steps are being introduced by the sustainability team as the university strives to raise awareness about environmental responsibility and encourage other institutions to follow suit.

For more on Cal Poly’s sustainable commencement efforts

Daniel Grassian Named Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

A portrait of Daniel Grassian in a suit and tie

Daniel Grassian, vice provost for Academic Affairs at Chico State, will begin as senior vice provost for Academic Affairs at Cal Poly on Aug. 1. He has published five books, including “Writing the Future of Black America: Literature of the Hip-hop Generation” (2008), “Iranian and Diasporic Literature in the 21st Century: A Critical Study (2013) and “An Insider's Guide to University Administration” (2020) and a number of scholarly articles in contemporary literature, cultural and ethnic studies and higher education administration. At Cal Poly, Grassian will provide administrative oversight of the units within Academic Affairs that support academic innovations and programs, student academic success, and special initiatives within the division, as well as those with cross-divisional collaborations. He will play a critical role in both the development and execution of strategic initiatives within the division of Academic Affairs. He has also served as an administrator at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, where he was dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and an English professor. At Fairleigh Dickenson University, he was an associate professor of English and director of the School of English, Philosophy and Humanities at the the largest private university in New Jersey.

Amanda Lathrop Appointed New Dean of Graduate Education

portrait of Amanda Lathrop looking at the viewer

Interim dean of Graduate Education Amanda Lathrop has been appointed permanently to the post, effective July 1. On that same date, the office will fall under the umbrella of Academic Affairs with the new dean reporting to the provost while continuing to collaborate with the vice president of research. Graduate Education oversees 35 master’s degree, teaching credential and blended degree programs that allow undergraduates to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the same time. The Cal Poly alumna (Food Science, ’99) has served as interim dean since June 2022. In her 14 years at Cal Poly, the professor in the Food Science and Nutrition Department has served as graduate coordinator for the traditional M.S. degree in food science and blended programs. As a graduate advisor and coordinator, she secured several grants that supported graduate student success, including a USDA National Needs Grant aimed at recruiting underrepresented students into the food science master's program. As interim dean, she collaborated with groups across campus to offer more programs focused on graduate students and advocated for graduate programs and students. Moreover, she oversaw the CSU Predoctoral and Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive programs, among others, which seek to increase diversity of students seeking doctorates.

Campus Joins CSU Program to Mentor Future Faculty

Cal Poly will participate in the CSU’s Pre-Professor Program next year, the provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs announced. PREPP will introduce Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program Fellows to faculty careers at the CSU, the largest public university system in the nation. PREPP Fellows pair with a faculty mentor on a CSU campus, where they will focus on teaching, curriculum and mentoring students to understand faculty roles at a master’s-level institution. Mentors connect with up to three fellows annually and receive eight weighted teaching units (WTUs) of assigned time. Each participating campus has a program liaison and a faculty mentor. Cal Poly’s inaugural liaison is Julie Garcia, professor of psychology and child development and faculty director of program improvement. Faculty can learn more by contacting Garcia at [email protected].

Julie Garcia Named Faculty Director of Program Improvement

An outdoor photograph of Professor Julie Garcia

Julie Garcia, professor in the Psychology and Child Development Department, is the new faculty director of program improvement in the office of Academic Programs and Planning. In her new role that she’ll begin later in June, Garcia will provide leadership and direction for academic assessment and continuous improvement efforts at the program and institutional levels; work with the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology to provide professional development workshops for faculty and staff; and coordinate the administration of external campuswide assessments. Garcia has a wealth of experience on campus. She has taught at Cal Poly since 2007 and served three stints between 2014 and 2022 as associate department chair for the Psychology and Child Development Department, overseeing assessment initiatives and co-leading a program review. Garcia has also served as the interim associate vice president for diversity and inclusion in the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion, where she assisted with universitywide DEI strategic planning and assessment. From 2019 to 2022, she co-led a WASC Senior College and University Commission Thematic Pathway for Review working group on campus culture. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges is one of six regional associations that accredit public and private schools, colleges and universities in the U.S.

Sign-Up for the ‘Examining Whiteness’ Foundational Series

abstract image of white fingerprints over light green background

Faculty and staff are invited to sign up for "Examining Whiteness,” a program inspired by Building Anti-Racist White Educators (BARWE). The Examining Whiteness foundational series is designed as a first step for white educators to engage in critical reflection on whiteness and working toward antiracism. The series is open to individuals at all levels of learning in their personal journey toward better understanding whiteness in their lives. This six-week program will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday, from July 11-27. Participants must be able to commit to attending at least five sessions. Questions? Contact Sarah Macdonald, assistant director, diversity, equity and inclusion in instruction in CTLT.

Learn more and register for Examining Whiteness

Faculty Tenure and Promotion Awards Announced

President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and Provost and Executive Vice President Cynthia Jackson-Elmoore announced the promotion of 59 faculty members and the award of tenure to 43 faculty members effective in the 2023-24 academic year. The promotions include 23 to the academic rank of professor and 36 to the rank of associate professor or associate librarian. Armstrong and Jackson-Elmoore extend their congratulations and appreciation to the faculty receiving promotion sand/or tenure.

View the full list

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

University Personnel — Employee Wellbeing encourages conversation and reflection on cognitive health during June. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, affects more than 6 million Americans. Changes in cognitive health should be discussed with your health care provider. To reduce the risk of cognitive decline, get quality sleep, stay socially active, exercise regularly and eat a nutritious diet. Cal Poly’s employee assistance program, LifeMatters (sign in: calpoly), offers tips on sleep, exercise and nutrition, and assistance with referrals and elder care support. LifeMatters can also be reached at 800-367-7474. Services provided directly by LifeMatters are free. Additionally, the California Central Coast Alzheimer’s Association offers free support, education and resources to those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Contact Lisa Gray at [email protected] for more information.

CTLT Offers Educators Summer Series of Workshops

The summer professional development offerings for campus educators (faculty and staff) from the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology is available to explore. Workshop titles include: Examining Whiteness, Writing in the Disciplines, Blended/hybrid Course Design and Assignment Design for Academic Integrity. There are also opportunities for academic writing support and on-demand resources for academic success. Additional workshops and events will be added soon.

Learn more and register for CTLT workshops and on-demand resources

Support Mustang Move-in September by Signing Up to Help Today

Students push green moving carts on the Cal Poly campus. University Housing is seeking volunteer support to welcome more than 8,800 Mustangs to their campus homes in University Housing next fall. New first-year and transfer students move-in Thursday-Friday, Sept. 14-15. Continuing students move in Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 18-19. Volunteers greet student residents and their supporters, direct traffic, support check-in functions and collect green moving bins. Participants receive a $50 gift card to the University Store for each shift worked and a rewarding experience meeting and welcoming new students as they start their journey at Cal Poly. For more information, contact Michelle Castillo at [email protected] or ext. 6-1567.

South County Bound? Seats Available in Santa Maria/AG Vanpool

A van reading "Vanpool" drives by the red brick residence halls on the Cal Poly campus. There are seats available on the Santa Maria/Arroyo Grande vanpool. This van runs Monday through Friday and accommodates a 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. work or school schedule. For specific information on the Santa Maria/Arroyo Grande vanpool, contact Sustainable Transportation Coordinator Colin Pollington at ext. 6-6680 or [email protected]. Transportation and Parking Services subsidizes employee vanpools to make them an extremely affordable option to commute to and from campus.

Preschool Learning Lab Offers Spaces for Upcoming Summer Program

The playground structure at the Preschool Learning Lab at Cal Poly. The Preschool Learning Lab will offer a new summer program from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 26–Aug. 31, Monday through Friday. Faculty and staff will receive first priority and will be automatically enrolled into the regular fall 2023 academic year program if their children are continuing in preschool (i.e., not going to transitional kindergarten or kindergarten). To be eligible, children must be 3 years old by June 26 and fully potty-trained. A few spaces are still available. Fill out the application form or contact Director Patty Clarkson at [email protected] for tuition rates and more information.

Summer Statistical Consulting Available to Campus by Appointment

Emily Robinson, an assistant professor in statistics, will provide statistical consulting to the campus — facilitating research design and data analysis in a wide variety of disciplines — by appointment through Sept. 1. Robinson can advise on data collection, experimental design and analysis of research projects. In addition, she can lead seminars or tutorials on requested topics and offer advice on various computer packages available at Cal Poly. Faculty, staff and students interested in these services are invited to access the Statistics Department website for additional information. To schedule a consultation, email [email protected].

Celebrate National Safety Month with EHS at Safety Fair June 22

Environmental Health and Safety is celebrating National Safety Month through the end of June with a variety of activities and resources. Join EHS by cultivating a healthy and safe university culture! Stop by Dexter Lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 22, for a Safety Fair sponsored by the Fastenal Co. Fifteen vendors will be featuring safety equipment and demonstrations — and giving away free food! To learn more about the Safety Fair and other safety month events, visit the EHS website.

New Summer Book Circles Continue for Employees

Employee and Organization Development continues its book circles this summer. Open to all employees, it’s a great opportunity to engage with colleagues in thoughtful discussion around common themes of interest. Register below:

“Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do” by Claude M. Steele. Examine racial and gender-based stereotypes, learn how negative stereotypes can diminish performance and discover techniques to mitigate "stereotype threats."
“The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown” by Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr. Gain the inspiration, tools and strategies needed to embrace uncertainty and thrive.
“Atlas of the Heart” by Brené Brown: Explores 87 of the emotions and experiences that define what it means to be human. Learn about mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience.

For more details on the EOD book circles

Family Fun Days Return to the Recreation Center

An adult and two children swim at the rec center

Cal Poly Recreation Center members are invited to host their friends and familyf rom June 22 through Sept. 3 at the facility from June 22 through Sept. 3, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Bring up to two adults (16 and older) and six children to enjoy the facility’s leisure pool, sand volleyball courts, racquetball and more. A one-day guest pass is $10 for adults and $5 for children. A 44-day pass is also available for $120 for adults and $60 for children.

Visit the Family Fun Days page for more information

Cal Poly Rec Center Offers Youth Swim Lessons; Register Today

A child holds their breath while under water at the rec center

Learning to swim starts with ASI Aquatics’ youth swim lessons. ASI Recreational Sports offers small, tailored group lessons to the children, ages 4-16, of  Cal Poly Recreation Center members. These swim lessons will give children the opportunity to learn with participants of similar skill levels. Youngsters will be paired with instructors who can best accommodate their water abilities. The first four-week session will take place on Sundays: July 9, 16, 23 and 30, from 9-9:45 a.m. or 10-10:45 a.m. Registration opened June 5.

Learn more about youth swim lessons

Kennedy Library Transformation Project Adds New Temporary Study Locations

A map of the Cal Poly campus showing locations of study spaces, services and programs, and operational support and storage Cal Poly has added additional temporary locations for its library services and study spaces while the Kennedy Library building closes for a planned two-year transformation project. The building is scheduled to close for renovation in summer 2023, with the opening of the renovated building slated for fall 2025. While the library building is closed, the services and programs provided by the library will continue in other locations on campus. The temporary student study structures will have heating, electricity, charging stations, artificial grass carpeting, furniture and Wi-Fi.

Find more information and a map of the temporary locations

Advancing Inclusive Mentoring Program Eyes a Summer Start

Farah Al-Nakib, Assistant Professor of History, works with students Suha Hussain, left, and Vi-Linn Vu at the Kennedy Library’s Research Help Desk Faculty, staff, postdoc and graduate students who mentor students participating in research, scholarly and creative activities are invited to participate in a free training program this summer. The Advancing Inclusive Mentoring (AIM) Program is co-led by the Office of Student Research; the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT); the College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts’ Summer Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity programs (SURPs); and the Empowering Autistic Scholars Program. Information on eligibility is provided on the RSVP form and in the CTLT Stipend Eligibility Policies document. A $300 stipend is available from the CTLT. The program runs in the first summer session, June 26-July 14, via a mix of asynchronous learning and Zoom-based discussions. (If not available during the first three weeks of the summer but interested in future offerings, RSVP to indicate interest). Contact [email protected] with any questions.

RSVP by Friday, June 16 to learn more and indicate interest

Employment Opportunities

For all available job openings, visit jobs.calpoly.edu. All new positions opened this week are listed below. To apply, go online and complete the application form. Current employees can also find job postings at CSU Careers, an internal job site for CSU employees. For assistance, call Human Resources at ext. 6-2236.

# 528558 – Emergency Hire Marketing and Communications Coordinator – Dean’s Office (Administrative Support Coordinator I) Academic Affairs-Provost – Dean’s Office. $21.24 - $34.81 Per Hour. Anticipated Hiring Range: $21.24 - $23.36 Per Hour. Open Until Filled.

# 527971 – Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist (Administrative Analyst/Specialist, Exempt I)– University Personnel – Talent Acquisition. $50,040 - $90,540 Per Year. Anticipated Hiring Range: $68,000 - $80,000 Per Year. Open Until Filled. https://jobs.calpoly.edu/en-us/job/527971/senior-talent-acquisition-specialist

# 528158 – Plumber – Administration and Finance – Facilities Management-Poly Canyon Village Multi-Craft Crew. $73,812 - $95,304 Per Year. Anticipated Hiring Range: $73,812 - $88,164 Per Year. Open Until Filled.

# 528635 – Athletic Strategic Communications Specialist (Public Affairs/Communications Specialist)– Student Affairs – Talent Acquisition. $45,132 - $81,636 Per Year. Anticipated Hiring Range: $64,050 - $74,000 Per Year. Open Until Filled.

# 528640 – Development Records Analyst (Administrative Analyst/Specialist) – University Development – Data & Systems. $42,216 - $81,492 Per Year. Anticipated Hiring Range: $60,000 - $70,000 Per Year. Open Until Filled.

# 528741 – Associate Director of Career Education and Equity (Administrator I) – Student Affairs – Career Services. Anticipated Hiring Range: $80,000 - $90,000 Per Year. Open Until Filled.

# 528801 – Custodial Supervisor – Facilities Management and Development (Administrator I) – Student Affairs – Career Services. Anticipated Hiring Range: $57,000 - $73,000 Per Year. Open Until Filled.

INTERNAL-ONLY JOB POSTINGS:

There are no new listings this week.

Faculty Employment Opportunities

Candidates are asked to visit jobs.calpoly.edu to complete an application and apply for any of the positions shown below. Submit all requested application materials as attachments to your online application by the review begin date for full consideration. For assistance, email Academic Personnel at [email protected].

#528189 — Full Time Lecturer — Aerospace Engineering, College of Engineering — Aerospace Engineering.

Part-Time Lecturer Pools – Pools are opening for 2023/24 academic year. Visit jobs.calpoly.edu and search department of interest.

Corporation Employment Opportunities

Cal Poly Corporation is a separate entity operating in concert with the university to provide a diverse range of services and resources to students, faculty and staff. To view all available job postings or apply, visit the Corporation website. For assistance, contact Human Resources at ext. 6-1121.

There are no new listings this week.

ASI Employment Opportunities

Hiring, developing and empowering quality staff is what drives the ASI organization. Join ASI’s dynamic team that supports not only the students of Cal Poly, but the entire university and greater San Luis Obispo communities. Only new job listings are posted below. For a full list of available postings and to apply, visit the Work For ASI webpage. Sign up for the Work For ASI newsletter to be the first to know about new opportunities. For more information, contact ASI Human Resources at [email protected].

There are no new listings this week

Cal Poly Report - June 14, 2023

News

Concrete Canoe Team Wins Seventh National Title in 13 Years

17 Faculty Research Projects Funded Through RSCA Program

Aubrie Adams: 2022-23 Outstanding Faculty Advisor Awardee

Campus Invited to Annual BEACoN Research Symposium June 14

PAC Adds Scenic Mural as Part of Summer Spruce-up

Pardon the Dust: Summer Campus Construction to Get Underway

Sustainable Measures Enhance Commencement Experience

Student Success

Solar Regatta Club Has 'Epic' Finish at Golden State Competition

Faculty and Staff

Daniel Grassian Named Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Amanda Lathrop Appointed New Dean of Graduate Education

Campus Joins CSU Program to Mentor Future Faculty

Julie Garcia Named Faculty Director of Program Improvement

Sign-Up for the ‘Examining Whiteness’ Foundational Series

Faculty Tenure and Promotion Awards Announced

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

CTLT Offers Educators Summer Series of Workshops

Support Mustang Move-in September by Signing Up to Help Today

South County Bound? Seats Available in Santa Maria/AG Vanpool

Preschool Learning Lab Offers Spaces for Upcoming Summer Program

Campus Announcements

Summer Statistical Consulting Available to Campus by Appointment

Celebrate National Safety Month with EHS at Safety Fair June 22

New Summer Book Circles Continue for Employees

Family Fun Days Return to the Recreation Center

Cal Poly Rec Center Offers Youth Swim Lessons; Register Today

Kennedy Library Transformation Project Adds New Temporary Study Locations

Advancing Inclusive Mentoring Program Eyes a Summer Start

Events

Last Call: Art and Design BFA Exhibition ‘Yours Truly’ Ends June 17

Event Postings

Submitting an Event to Events.calpoly.edu

University Events Calendar

Scheduling/Booking Venues

Visit Cal Poly Now for Student Affairs events, learning opportunities and more

Athletics

Upcoming Events @ Home

Job Vacancies

Employment Opportunities

Faculty Employment Opportunities

Corporation Employment Opportunities

ASI Employment Opportunities

Submission Guidelines