California Impact
Alumnus Victor Glover Pilots NASA’s First Lunar Mission in 50 Years
Cal Poly alumnus and astronaut Victor Glover rocketed into space April 1 as part of NASA’s history-making Artemis II mission. This is the first crewed flight around the moon in over 50 years, as well as NASA’s first mission with crew aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. The goal is to “confirm all the spacecraft’s systems operate as designed with crew aboard in the actual environment of deep space,” which will hopefully lead to future lunar surface missions and establishing long-term lunar science and exploration capabilities, according to NASA. The mission will last approximately 10 days.
California Impact
13th Cal Poly CubeSat Launches into Space
On March 30, Cal Poly’s SAL-E CubeSat mission launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite — the 13th Cal Poly CubeSat to be launched into space — is about the size of a shoebox. It contains two small payloads: Computer Architecture Research Project, or CARP, a silicon computer chip designed by students using open-source silicon and custom firmware; and SQUAD, Space Quacker Advanced Development, which will test a long-range radio device in the harsh environment of space.
Research and Innovation
17 Faculty Projects Funded Through RSCA Grant Program
The Office of Research announced 17 awards for the 2026-27 Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities grant program cycle. Over $305,000 has been awarded to the selected projects. Supported by funds from the Chancellor’s Office and Office of the Provost, the grant program supports faculty in contributing new knowledge through robust programs of scholarship focused on strengthening California’s social, cultural and economic landscape. This program is one mechanism by which Cal Poly supports the Teacher-Scholar Model, in which faculty integrate excellence in teaching with research, scholarly and creative activities.
Journalism Department
Mustang Media Group Earns Top Honors at National Awards Ceremonies
Mustang Media Group earned 38 state and national awards from the Associated Collegiate Press, California College Media Association and Intercollegiate Broadcasting System, recognizing excellence in collegiate journalism, broadcasting and media business. Honors included a third consecutive Student Media Business Pacemaker and an Online Pacemaker from ACP, along with multiple first-place awards from CCMA and a national title from IBS. The awards highlight the strength of Cal Poly’s student-run media across reporting, design, broadcasting and audience engagement. Mustang Media Group includes Mustang News, KCPR and MNTV and continues to be recognized among the top collegiate media organizations in the country.
Research and Innovation
Call for Submissions: International Engagement Symposium
Faculty and staff are invited to submit poster abstracts by April 22 for the International Engagement Symposium, 3-5 p.m. May 6 at the 1901 Marketplace Pavilion. This event, in collaboration with the Cal Poly Office of Research, highlights global scholarship, research and cross-cultural engagement.
Consider submitting if you:
- Conduct international research
- Lead a Cal Poly Global Program or engage in service-learning abroad
- Participate in faculty exchanges or are a visiting international scholar
- Are a Fulbright or Global Teacher-Scholar Grant recipient
Join us for networking, discussions and refreshments. Contact international@calpoly.edu for details.
Student Affairs
Faculty and Staff Invited to Participate in April 29 Denim Day
Safer invites faculty and staff to host their own Denim Day activities April 29. Check out the Denim Day Participation Form for ideas, and let the Safer team know how you’re going to stand against sexual violence. Denim Day grew out of a 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the survivor wore tight jeans. Enraged by the verdict, the women in the Italian Parliament protested by wearing jeans to work. This became an international symbol of protest against destructive attitudes and myths surrounding sexual assault.
View the Denim Day Participation Form
Academic Affairs
Faculty Liaison for Service-Learning: Office Hours
Service-Learning connects academic coursework with real-world community needs through community-based projects that deepen academic learning and social responsibility. Dr. Anurag Pande serves as Cal Poly’s faculty liaison for Service-Learning and is available to support faculty interested in developing or redesigning courses with service-learning components. Faculty may contact him at service-learning@calpoly.edu. Spring 2026 in-person office hours will be held 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Wednesdays in the library (Bldg. 35, Room 319C, International Center). Faculty may also schedule a consultation with him via Zoom.
Associated Students, Inc.
Vendor Applications Now Open for the ASI Craft Center Spring Makers Market
Share your one-of-a-kind creations at the next Maker’s Market! Vendor applications are now being accepted through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, April 19. Vendor spots are expected to fill up quickly, so don’t miss your chance. The Makers Market will come back for spring Monday, May 4, through Wednesday, May 6, in Chumash Auditorium (No. 65). Explore an array of handcrafted one-of-a-kind creations from jewelry, ceramics, clothing and more, all made by our local community.
Associated Students, Inc.
Get Your Teams Ready to Register for the 14th Annual Mustang Mile
Registration for the 14th Annual Mustang Mile will be open Monday, April 27, from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, May 1, through the Cal Poly Ticket Office. A waiver will be routed upon registration and must be signed by all participants prior to 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, to receive a bib. On Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., the Cal Poly community will come together for the 14th Annual Mustang Mile. This 5K of fun honors the memory of Carson Starkey, who lost his life to alcohol poisoning after a fraternity hazing incident. Costumes are always encouraged.
Information Technology Services
Brian Spolarich Named Associate Vice President and Chief Technology Officer
As part of Cal Poly’s continued investment in technology and digital transformation, Brian Spolarich has been named associate vice president and chief technology officer for ITS. Brian has been with Cal Poly for over eight years and most recently served as director of IT enterprise operations, where he led efforts to modernize the campus network, reduce cloud costs and integrate Cal Poly and Cal Poly Maritime Academy systems. In his new role, he will lead the university’s technology infrastructure strategy and modernization efforts, aligning services with Cal Poly’s academic, research and administrative mission.
Kennedy Library
Interlibrary Loan Scaling Down Starting May 15
As part of the integration with Cal Poly Maritime Academy, key features of the Library’s OneSearch will be unavailable June 12-30. Online materials requests and account management will be inaccessible during that time. To prepare for the freeze, interlibrary loan request options will ramp down starting May 15. Employees planning to separate in July should contact the library early for sign-off on the PR 300 form.
Learn More at Kennedy Library Operations Updates
Academic Affairs
CSU Fully Online Participation Begins Fall 2026
As part of Cal Poly’s semester conversion, the university will join CSU Fully Online in fall 2026. Eligible students may take one online course per term from another CSU campus, expanding access and flexibility for students at both the San Luis Obispo and Solano campuses. Additional guidance for students will soon be available on the Office of the Registrar website, including expectations for faculty approval for major and support courses.
Visit the CSU Fully Online Website
Academic Affairs
Half-Term Scheduling Within Semesters
Beginning fall 2026, Cal Poly will implement back-to-back half-term sessions (approximately 7.5 weeks each) within a single semester as part of the semester conversion. Departments may adjust course offerings between the first and second half of the term. To be included in the published schedule, second half-term classes must be added by April 27. Half-term sessions must be scheduled in department-controlled spaces. Additional guidance, including financial aid considerations, is available on the Semester Conversion FAQ website.
Music Department
Enjoy the Open House Recital on April 11
The Music Department will present an Open House Recital at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. This is one of many scheduled events for Cal Poly’s 33rd annual Open House. The student instrumentalists and vocalists are from a variety of majors, and all are involved in at least one of the department’s large, premier ensembles, which include the Arab Music Ensemble, Choirs, Jazz Ensembles, Symphony, Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. The recital is free and open to the public; no tickets or advanced reservations are required.
Visit the Music Department Website
Music Department
Student Opera Theatre to Present ‘Venus and Adonis’ and ‘In the Market for Love’
Cal Poly’s Student Opera Theatre will present a double bill of “Venus and Adonis” and “In the Market for Love” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11, in Spanos Theatre. The two seldom-performed one-act operas show how love can be found in the strangest of ways: John Blow’s baroque tragedy “Venus and Adonis” is the story of ill-fated lovers from Greek mythology; and Jacques Offenbach’s comic operetta “In the Market for Love” is a farcical story that takes place at a farmers market. Nearly 50 Cal Poly students are participating in the fully staged production with chamber orchestra.
Performing Arts Center
See ‘SLO Master Chorale: The Creation’ on April 19
The 120-voice SLO Master Chorale and Orchestra presents “The Creation” by Franz Joseph Haydn at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19, at the Performing Arts Center in Harold Miossi Hall. An oratorio in three parts inspired by Handel’s “Messiah” and “Israel in Egypt,” this work is a choral gem of the Age of Enlightenment that draws out the story of the Creation, depicting all the wonders of the first six days. This event has a discount for youth under 12.
Cal Poly Arts
Atsuko Okatsuka’s ‘BIG BOWL TOUR’ Comes to Town April 22
Atsuko Okatsuka is an award-winning comedian known for her infectious energy, signature haircut and viral social media clips. Her hit special “Father” debuted on Hulu and Disney+, landing in the Top 10 and sparking viral moments online. Her HBO special “The Intruder” won a Gracie Award and was named the Best Debut Special of 2022 by The New York Times. Now, we welcome her to San Luis Obispo as part of her “Big Bowl Tour”! This event has a 20% staff and faculty discount available.