University Leadership
Carter Henderson Named New Director of Athletics
Cal Poly has named Carter Henderson as its new director of athletics, effective Oct. 13, President Armstrong announced. Henderson was appointed after a national search. Currently deputy athletics director for external relations at Stanford University, Henderson brings deep experience in intercollegiate athletics from around the country. He succeeds Don Oberhelman, who announced his retirement from Cal Poly in June, leaving a legacy of academic and athletic success leading the university’s Athletics Department for more than 14 years.
U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Cal Poly Continues Streak as Best in the West in 2026
Cal Poly is the best overall master’s-level university in the West for both public and private institutions for the third consecutive year in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges guidebook. This is the 33rd straight year Cal Poly is ranked best public institution in the West and the third year running it has been ranked tops among all 97 public and private institutions in the region, which includes California and 14 other western states.
Learn More About the Accolades
Building 15 Welcome
Celebrate a Space of Community and Belonging
The campus community is invited to the Building 15 Welcome from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, to celebrate the transformation of the building into a space dedicated entirely to student programming, centers and support services. Building 15 is now home to the Black Academic Excellence Center, Cal Poly Scholars, La CASA, Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and TRIO Achievers. Enjoy food and music while mingling with staff and students and learn more about the programs and centers in Building 15.
Benefits and Employee Services Team
Benefits Open Enrollment Ends Oct. 10
Benefits Open Enrollment is your annual opportunity to review, enroll, make changes or cancel your health and voluntary plans effective January 2026. This includes medical, dental, vision, flexcash, dependent care reimbursement account, health care reimbursement account and voluntary offerings. All plan elections must be completed by Oct. 10.
Visit the Open Enrollment Webpage
Employee and Organization Development
Continue Learning Through Cross Campus Collaboration Workshops
Elevate your professional edge with CSU’s Cross Campus Collaboration Workshops! Build customer service savvy in the Customer Engagement Bootcamp (Oct. 10, 9–11:30 a.m.), strengthen confidence and leadership with Learning Labs: Mindset Matters – Personal Potential (Oct. 13, 9–9:30 a.m.), and sharpen workplace communication in Communicating for Success (Oct. 14, 9–10 a.m.). Plus, gain powerful communication tools in Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High (Oct. 15, 10–11 a.m.). These interactive sessions offer practical tools to connect better, think stronger and lead with clarity. Don’t miss your chance to learn, grow and thrive!
College of Liberal Arts
Steve Standifer Celebration of Life to be Held Oct. 3
We are sad to share the passing of Steve Standifer, beloved electro-mechanical technician in the Graphic Communication Department. Steve was taken from us unexpectedly on Sept. 15, 2025. Steve's expertise and reliability will be deeply missed. He loved working with students — training them on equipment and celebrating their "light bulb" moments when they executed beautifully printed projects. Our prayers are with Steve's wife, Angela (who is in APP), his family, friends and all who had the privilege of working alongside him. Rest in peace, Steve. All are welcome to celebrate his life on Friday, Oct. 3, in Grover Beach.
Cal Poly Partners
Plaza Recognized as Outstanding Community Improvement Project
Cal Poly Partners Plaza, the tiered hospitality area in the north end zone of Alex G. Spanos Stadium, was recently recognized as an Outstanding Community Improvement Project by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Los Angeles Section. The plaza previously received two awards from the ASCE San Luis Obispo Branch for its significant enhancements to the community, providing value and benefit. Following the Sept. 20 Los Angeles award ceremony, the winners, including Cal Poly Partners Plaza, will be forwarded to the Region 9 Awards Committee for consideration of a 2026 Region 9 Award.
ASI Craft Center
Create, Relax, Restore
Registration is now open for fall quarter six-week courses, one-day workshops and quarter-long studio passes at the Craft Center. Craft stunning jewelry, shape a ceramics masterpiece, customize a surfboard, learn the fundamentals of leather crafting and more! We provide the classes, tools and space to bring your passion projects to life.
Information Technology Services
Enter to Win at $100 Gift Card During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month —a good reminder that protecting our digital lives is a shared responsibility. You can help by using strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication and watching for phishing attempts. Start by testing your privacy knowledge with the National Privacy Test created by NordVPN for a chance to win a $100 Cal Poly Mustang Shop gift card! Take the survey and send a screenshot of your score with your name and whether you're a student or faculty or staff member to cybersurvey@calpoly.edu. One winner from each category will be selected at the end of the month.
Information Technology Services
Microsoft Ending Support for Windows 10 — Upgrade Immediately
Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10, and it will no longer receive security updates or technical support, increasing security risks. All university-managed Windows 10 devices were scheduled for automatic upgrade to Windows 11 on May 29, 2025. If your computer is still running Windows 10, please upgrade immediately to avoid security vulnerabilities and work interruptions. For self-service instructions, visit Upgrade to Windows 11 on a Cal Poly-owned PC. Request help online or contact the ITS Service Desk at (805) 756-7000 or email servicedesk@calpoly.edu.
Safer
October is Dating Violence Action Month
Join Safer in October for Dating Violence Action Month 2025: “Answer the Call: Connect. Empower. Transform.” This theme highlights Safer's collective responsibility to end the silence surrounding dating violence and emphasizes that every voice makes a difference and every connection makes change.
Office of University Diversity and Inclusion
Hector Flores and Las Cafeteras Energize ¡Adelante!
Hector Flores, co-founder of Las Cafeteras, will deliver the keynote “The Sounds of Resistance: From Storytelling to Movement Building” at the 3rd Annual HSI Symposium, ¡Adelante!, on Oct. 6. Known for blending art and activism, Flores explores how music and narrative ignite community power and social change. The keynote takes place in Chumash Auditorium from 11 a.m. to noon. The celebration continues at 4 p.m. with a live outdoor concert by Las Cafeteras, the acclaimed Los Angeles band whose genre-bending sound uplifts stories of joy, struggle and resistance.
College of Liberal Arts
New Book Exploring Surfing Culture and Identity Hits the Waves
Come celebrate the publication of Waves of Belonging: Indigeneity, Race, and Gender in the Surfing Lineup from 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Kennedy Library, Room 511. This new collection of critical surfing studies essays explores how surf culture intersects with questions of identity and power. Learn how Cal Poly faculty are actively shaping this exciting interdisciplinary field. A structured book discussion will take place from 3:15–3:45 p.m., and light refreshments will be provided. For more details email Lydia Heberling at lheberli@calpoly.edu.
Campus Dining
Enjoy Boba and Barbecue at Sequel Tea’s Grand Opening
To celebrate the grand opening of Sequel Tea's permanent location, Campus Dining is hosting a special event combining two campus favorites. On Wednesday, Oct. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., stop by Campus Market to experience a unique taste of Cal Poly. For just $18.95, you can enjoy a fresh tri-tip plate or sandwich, expertly prepared by our chefs, paired with a refreshing boba drink from Sequel Tea. This event marks a milestone for Sequel Tea, which was founded by a Cal Poly alumnus, and is an excellent opportunity to support a local business while enjoying a delicious meal.
Performing Arts Center
Rising Mariachi Star Camila Fernández to Perform Oct. 8
Cal Poly Arts presents Camila Fernández at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Performing Arts Center in Harold Miossi Hall. Camila, the only female voice of the iconic Fernández Dynasty, is a rising star in Mexican regional music. With early training in piano, guitar and voice and formal education at Berklee College of Music, she blends traditional mariachi with modern flair. Inspired by her legendary grandfather Vicente Fernández, Camila’s powerful voice and creative vision are shaping the future of the genre with authenticity and elegance. This event has a 20 percent staff and faculty discount available.
Cal Poly Arts
Fusion Jazz Singer Lucía to Perform Oct. 9
Experience the musical styling of Lucía at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, in Spanos Theatre. Lucía captivated audiences when she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition in 2022 with her unique fusion of jazz and Latin influences. Her debut album, released in May 2025, showcases her stunning voice and versatile style, blending soulful jazz standards with the warmth of Latin folk. With a powerful stage presence and a sound rooted in her Mexican heritage, Lucía is set to redefine the global jazz scene. This event has a 20 percent staff and faculty discount available.
Cal Poly Arts
Set Sail with ‘Story Pirates’ Oct. 11
Cal Poly Arts presents “Story Pirates: The Amazing Adventure Tour” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, in Spanos Theatre. Bring the whole family for an improvised sketch comedy show based on ideas from kids in the audience. The Story Pirates believe that all kids are creative geniuses, and they’re ready to prove it with their fast-paced, hilarious and inspiring show featuring Eric from “The Story Pirates Podcast,” plus a cast of the funniest Story Pirate actors, singers and comedians around. This event has a 20 percent staff and faculty discount available.
See 'Story Pirates' at Spanos Theater
College of Liberal Arts
Don’t Miss Mustang Media Fest Oct. 22–25
Mustang Media Fest is a four-day celebration of storytelling, innovation and journalism, right here on campus. From thought-provoking panels and inspiring keynote speakers to hands-on workshops and networking opportunities, the festival unites students, alumni and media professionals. It’s a bold tribute to journalism’s legacy — past, present and future. Join us to champion the spirit of media and democracy!
Safer
Support Survivors at a Floral Arrangement Class on Purple Thursday
Purple Thursday is a national day of action during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. People wear purple to show support and honor survivors of domestic violence, raise public awareness and encourage conversations about healthy relationships and ending abuse. This year, Safer is hosting a Purple Thursday floral arrangement class with the Cal Poly Plant Shop on Thursday, Oct. 23, on the Health Center Lawn. There will be two sessions available — 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. and 1:30 to 2:20 p.m. Wear purple to show solidarity with survivors! Space is limited.
Register Now for Purple Thursday
Robert E. Kennedy Library
Attend the Library Reopening Celebration on Oct. 23
Cal Poly will celebrate the completion of the Kennedy Library renovation 11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Oct. 23. The extensive two-year project aimed to enhance student success by modernizing study spaces and transforming the library into a collaborative hub for learning and research. The event will feature refreshments and special remarks, acknowledging the efforts of all involved in the project. Attendees are encouraged to participate in self-guided tours of the newly renovated space following the celebration.
Center for Coastal Marine Sciences
Cal Poly Pier Open House Set for Nov. 15
Tour the Cal Poly Pier in Avila Beach from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15! The Cal Poly Pier is just over half a mile long (1.2 miles round trip). Event activities will be held at the end of the pier located on Avila Beach Drive, just west of the San Luis Creek Bridge. Visitors will enjoy 360-degree views of San Luis Bay, learn about marine science and interact with touch tanks full of live marine creatures.