Campus and Community
Heard of The HEARD? Student Feedback Drives Change at Cal Poly
A new Grocery Tripper shuttle service launched this January, providing students free rides to off-campus stores like Trader Joe’s and Target. It has been hugely popular, with full shuttles transporting 1,894 students off campus from Jan. 9 to Feb. 15. The program is a partnership between Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and Campus Health and Wellbeing’s Basic Needs, but a qualitative market research program called The HEARD also helped it come to fruition. Through student focus groups and surveys, The HEARD provides a platform for students to tell administrators how to improve programs and services.
Student Affairs
Cal Poly Again Named ‘Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs’
ACPA-College Student Educators International and the EDU Ledger have named Cal Poly one of the “Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs” for the seventh time since 2017. The university is among 30 institutions of higher learning to earn the honor in 2026. Cal Poly is one of two CSU campuses recognized, alongside CSU Long Beach. This year’s honorees were recognized for their focus on staffing practices and work environment, which included key attributes such as family friendliness, salary and benefits and professional development opportunities.
Strategic Enrollment Management
Black Joy Celebration Connects Scholars to Their Future
On Feb. 27, Strategic Enrollment Management’s Admissions and Recruitment team welcomed more than 150 high school scholars from partner districts across California to the 2026 United by Excellence: Black Joy Celebration. Designed to inspire and prepare students from historically underserved and underrepresented communities, the day immersed scholars in Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing experience through hands-on workshops in all six colleges, a campus tour, student panel, performances and a resource fair. The large-scale effort was made possible by more than 40 staff and student volunteers, and post-event survey results show 100 percent of respondents reported the highest level of satisfaction.
Cal Poly Partners
Take a Survey to Give Input on Faculty and Staff Housing Needs
Cal Poly Partners is conducting a survey to gather input on faculty and staff housing needs as part of a potential housing project for the campus community. The survey will assess current housing situations, preferences and interest in for-sale or rental units. Participation is voluntary, and responses will remain confidential, with results reported in aggregate to help shape the vision and long-term objectives for future housing initiatives. Learn more about faculty and staff housing and join the interest list on the Faculty and Staff Housing webpage.
Employee and Organizational Development
Build Better Habits with CSU’s Cross Campus Sessions
Ready to reset your habits and strengthen your leadership impact? On March 12 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., join “Atomic Habits: Becoming the Architect of Your Life” to explore practical, research-based strategies from James Clear’s bestselling book. Learn how small, intentional changes can help you break unproductive habits and build lasting systems for personal and professional success. Then on March 19, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, attend “Practicing Leadership in Hectic Times” to examine the difference between leadership and authority and practice applying leadership skills during high-pressure moments.
Register for the Free Sessions
Benefits and Employee Services Team
Wellbeing Webinar- Movement and Mental Health Connection
Join this Empathia-hosted webinar on March 12 from 11 a.m. to noon to address the importance of the connection between physical movement and mental health, and how this connection can help navigate life challenges and enhance your wellbeing. Please contact benefits@calpoly.edu or (805) 756-2236, Opt. 2, with any questions you may have.
Office of the President
Celebrate Cal Poly’s Most Dedicated Mustangs
Join us as we honor more than 200 colleagues celebrating major service milestones — including those who have served Cal Poly for 10, 20, 30 and even 40 years. The Annual Service Awards Ceremony and Reception takes place Wednesday, April 1 at 2:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center’s Miossi Hall, followed by a reception and complimentary appetizers in the main lobby. Check the program to see who’s being recognized. The event is free, but RSVP is requested by Monday, March 30. Questions? Contact presidentsevents@calpoly.edu. Come celebrate the people who make Cal Poly exceptional.
Tribal Relations
NAGPRA in Practice: Beyond Policy and Paperwork
Join NAGPRA Coordinators from Cal Poly and California State University, Bakersfield on March 12 for an enlightening conversation about how we fulfill our responsibilities to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. Get a behind-the-scenes look from Cal Poly’s Kent Spiers and CSU Bakersfield’s David Silva. The talk will run noon to 2 p.m. at the Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center, yakʔitʸutʸu, Building 172, Room H1-46. Lunch will be served.
Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Corporation Board Meeting Scheduled for March 13
The next Cal Maritime Corporation Board meeting will be held virtually Friday, March 13, at 9 a.m. It is open to the public. Written comments must be submitted by Wednesday, March 11, to cppartners-admin@calpoly.edu. To comment on any board item, please fill out a board appearance request and submit it 24 hours prior to the meeting and arrive online at 8:45 a.m. The Zoom webinar is for the public to view only. The agenda will be available five days in advance of the meeting, website. Questions? Call (805) 756-1131.
Culture and Institutional Excellence
Call for Nominations: Institutional Excellence Awards 2026
Cal Poly's Institutional Excellence Awards (formerly the President's Diversity Awards) are now accepting nominations. The awards are an opportunity to recognize individual faculty, staff and students, as well as contributions from student organizations and departments. Help us recognize those who have exhibited a commitment to advancing campus climate, equity in practice and fostering a sense of belonging at Cal Poly. This year's awards will take place in the Performing Arts Center lobby and plaza 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 7. Nominations close Friday, April 10 at 11:59 p.m. and are open to the Solano and San Luis Obispo campuses.
Music Department
Arab Music Concert on March 14 to Preview Tour of Southern Spain
The Arab Music Ensemble’s winter concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in the Performing Arts Center will feature a preview of its spring tour to Spain. Special features include selections of the “muwashshah” genre, which traces its roots to 10th-century Andalusia; guest artists Fathi Aljarrah on violin and Star Brown on vocals, who will perform a fusion piece of Arab folksong and American rap; and a reunion with alumni ensemble members. Concert proceeds will help cover expenses for the Spain trip, where the group will perform concerts in Cordoba, Granada and Seville.
Music Department
Symphony to Feature a Soloist Showcase and ‘Pines of Rome’
The Cal Poly Symphony’s Winter Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15, in the Performing Arts Center will showcase student soloists who were winners of the symphony’s Solo Competition: mechanical engineering major Apollo Wong, piano; marine sciences major Sophia Catania, flute; and music majors Edwin Muñoz, composer; Rose Candelaria, violin; Erik Petrovich, viola; and vocalists Amethyst Shanks and Helena Fuller. Ottorino Respighi’s symphonic poem “Pines of Rome” will conclude the concert. First performed in 1924, this work depicts four settings in Rome featuring pine trees.
Read More About the Soloists and Concert
Cal Poly Arts
Experience the Power of Cirque Kalabanté March 20
Afrique en Cirque by Yamoussa Bangoura showcases the vibrant youth and artistry of African culture, inspired by daily life in Guinea. The energetic performance features acrobats performing gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, set to live Afro-Jazz, percussion and kora music. Kalabanté Productions invites audiences on an unforgettable journey filled with strength, agility, and joy. This event has student tickets and a 20-percent staff and faculty discount available.
Performing Arts Center
Comedian Demetri Martin Comes to SLO March 28
The Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa presents standup comedian, writer and director Demetri Martin on Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center in Harold Miossi Hall. Demetri won the Perrier Award at the International Fringe Festival in Edinburgh for his one-man show, “If I.” Demetri has released three standup comedy albums and four hour-long standup comedy specials, including his latest for Netflix, “The Overthinker.” Net proceeds for this event go to support local youth charities through the Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Save the Date: ‘Tomato Spectacular’ is April 4
Cal Poly’s annual “Tomato Spectacular” plant sale will be held Saturday, April 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Horticulture Unit near the Poly Plant Shop. More than 90 different types of tomato plants will be available, including never-before-offered varieties. New this year is the addition of a dozen varieties of heirloom sweet peppers and fiery chilis. The four-inch tomato, pepper and basil plants are $7. A catalogue of available varieties will be made available March 16 on the Poly Plant and Floral Shop website.