Campus and Community
MLK Award Winner Adanna Okiwelu Finds Ways to ‘Build Bridges That Need to be Built’
At the 10th annual MLK Jr. Legacy event in January, third-year economics student and Black Student Union (BSU) board member Adanna Okiwelu co-accepted the MLK Legacy Award. She was honored alongside Preston Allen, retired associate vice president for Cal Poly's Student Affairs Division and executive director of Cal Poly University Housing, for their work to strengthen Cal Poly and the broader community. Okiwelu, who is concentrating in accounting and minoring in statistics, has flexed her leadership skills across campus, conducted research on alumni career paths as a BEACoN research scholar and studied abroad in Spain.
Read an Interview with Okiwelu
Cal Poly Maritime Academy
Cadet Readies to Launch Career in Shipbuilding and Repair
As a high school senior, Tyler Venator dreamed about studying mechanical engineering in college — but not of taking notes in a large lecture hall. He sought a more hands-on education and turned to his family for advice. “My father suggested Cal Maritime, because he went here and he thought the engineering program aligned with my interests,” Venator said. “After I saw the campus and the ship, the Training Ship Golden Bear, I knew I wanted to come here.” Four years later, Venator is ready to begin his career in shipbuilding and repair at General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego.
Cal Poly Institutional Excellence Awards
2026 Winners for Advancing Culture, Equity and Belonging
Culture and Institutional Excellence is excited to announce this year’s winners of the Cal Poly Institutional Excellence Awards for Advancing Culture, Equity and Belonging (previously the President’s Diversity Awards).
- Student – Dayana Limon Santiago, Agricultural Sciences ‘26
- Faculty – Nishanta Rajakaruna, Biological Sciences
- Staff – Zöe Wood, College of Engineering
- Student Club / Organization – National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Maritime Canoe Club
- Campus Department / Unit – Women in Engineering Program (WEP)
Winners will be recognized at the awards ceremony on Thursday, May 7, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Performing Arts Center Lobby and Plaza.
RSVP to attend (in-person or Zoom)
Cal Poly Downtown
Mustang Shop Opens in New San Luis Obispo Location
The Mustang Shop has relocated to a larger space at the corner of Chorro and Marsh streets, ending nearly a decade on Higuera Street. The move expands Cal Poly’s downtown presence and places the store alongside the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, a hub for innovation. Opened shortly after Open House, the new storefront continues a more than 40-year university presence downtown. The space, vacant for over a decade, was secured through Cal Poly Partners and supports ongoing community engagement.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Poly Royal Rodeo Demonstrates Student Success
The return of Poly Royal Rodeo to Spanos Stadium showcased the strength of Cal Poly’s hands-on learning approach, bringing together tradition, student leadership and athletic achievement. Hosted by the Cal Poly Rodeo program in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the event welcomed over 30,000 spectators during Open House. Students lead in planning and producing the event, gaining practical experience in leadership, fundraising, teamwork and event management. More than $500,000 was raised from the event to fund student-athletes' success and program operations. Cal Poly Rodeo thanks all the campus entities and staff that made Poly Royal a success.
Office of Research
Town Hall and Listening Session May 21
The Office of Research is working toward more efficient workflows and procedures, with guidance from Huron Consulting, and welcomes feedback. The research community is invited to hear progress updates and ask questions from 11:10 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 21, via Zoom. Please submit questions or topics that the Office of Research leadership should address during this meeting. Progress updates are posted here (Cal Poly login required). Questions? Email research@calpoly.edu.
Cal Poly Community
Retired Faculty and Staff Association Spring Lunch
The Retired Faculty and Staff Association invites its members to attend the spring lunch and program on May 21 at 11:30 a.m. featuring Eric Mehiel, Ph.D., Department Chair and Professor of Cal Poly’s Aerospace Engineering Department. The event will begin with a taco bar lunch and an engaging presentation from Mehiel, followed by an optional tour of the Aerospace Engineering Labs. The event will be held at the Cal Poly Dairy Innovation Center and transportation will be provided for the tour.
Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Join us at the SEMSA Summit May 28
Faculty and staff are invited to a day of community, connection and learning at the annual SEMSA Summit, our signature divisionwide event. This gathering brings together colleagues from the Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs (SEMSA) division, along with members of the broader campus community, to collaborate and advance our shared university goals. The summit will take place on Thursday, May 28, at the Performing Arts Center on the San Luis Obispo campus — be sure to explore the full schedule and list of topics. Registration is required, so secure your spot by May 22.
Commencement 2026
Join us for the Commencement Roadshow
Commencement invites faculty and staff to attend the Commencement Roadshow from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, in the Advanced Technology Laboratories (No. 7). Participants will meet the Commencement team, review the 2026 ceremony schedule and receive key updates, including a new event layout! As Cal Poly prepares to celebrate its largest graduating class on record, the roadshow offers an opportunity to get informed and support a successful commencement season for our Mustang graduates.
Center for Health Research
Amplify Your Health Research: Join the CHR Faculty Affiliate Program
The Cal Poly Center for Health Research (CHR) invites faculty across all colleges and disciplines to join its Faculty Affiliate Program. Whether your work directly examines health outcomes or addresses the social, technological, behavioral, economic or environmental determinants of health, CHR offers a hub for connection and support. Affiliates gain access to interdisciplinary collaborators, grant development resources (including proposal samples, boilerplates, and tip sheets), CHR-hosted events, a quarterly newsletter, and increased visibility for their work. Questions? Contact CHR Director Alison Ventura at akventur@calpoly.edu.
Learn More and Apply via a Brief Interest Form
Campus Dining
Chef Jeremy Jones Earns ACF Excellence Award
Executive Retail Chef Jeremy Jones has received the American Culinary Federation’s Achievement of Excellence Award, recognizing his contributions to Cal Poly Campus Dining since 2005. Over two decades, he has advanced through key roles to lead menu development and operations for 1901 Marketplace, while supporting Campus Market and Health Shack. His leadership reflects a commitment to quality, innovation and team growth. Jones will be honored at the ACF President’s Brunch during the 2026 ACF National Convention this summer.
Learn More on Campus Dining’s Website
Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology
Instructional Materials Accessibility: Title II Update
Faculty have made strong progress improving the accessibility of course materials, advancing equitable access to learning for all students. Accessibility expectations under Title II remain unchanged and apply across all digital instructional content, including Canvas and materials shared via external platforms. The Department of Justice has issued an Interim Final Rule with a 60-day public comment period and extended the compliance deadline for large public entities, including CSU campuses, to April 24, 2027. The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology continues to provide resources, workshops, and consultations to support this work.
Office of the Provost
Nominations Open: 2026 Provost’s Leadership Award for Partnership in Philanthropy
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Provost’s Leadership Award for Partnership in Philanthropy. This award honors current or former faculty members who have made significant contributions to advancing Cal Poly’s mission through fundraising and development efforts. The recipient will be recognized at Fall Convocation. Nominations are due by Friday, May 22, at 5 p.m. PST.
Submit a Nomination or Learn More
Academic Programs and Planning
Faculty Academic Assessment Director
Academic Programs and Planning seeks a Faculty Academic Assessment Director to lead universitywide efforts in evaluating and improving student learning, beginning Fall 2026. This faculty leader will guide program-level assessment; support core competency, IRA and GE assessment; and coordinate external surveys of student learning. The role emphasizes collaboration with faculty, data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement. This full-time appointment offers 100% assigned time and the opportunity to shape institutional effectiveness and student success. Ideal candidates bring assessment experience, strong communication skills and a commitment to equity, innovation and shared governance.
View the Position Description and Application Information
Academic Programs and Planning
APP Faculty Fellow
Academic Programs and Planning seeks a Faculty Fellow to support key academic initiatives that advance institutional excellence, starting Fall 2026. The APP Faculty Fellow will engage with campus leaders, contributing to program development, program review, Instructionally Related Activities and university academic policies, while supporting CSU initiatives such as ADT/TMC pathways. This highly collaborative, part-time role provides 6 WTU assigned time per semester. Ideal candidates are experienced faculty with strong communication, organizational and problem-solving skills, and a commitment to innovation, shared governance and continuous improvement across the university.
Culture & Institutional Excellence (CIX)
Cal Poly AANHPI Initiatives Launch Forum
CIX, in partnership with the Office of the Provost and Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, invites the campus community to join a campus-wide forum launching Cal Poly’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Initiatives on Monday, May 11 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Chumash Auditorium. The campus forum will include an overview of emerging programs and data, a panel discussion, and workshop actionable ways to support AANHPI students on campus. Breakfast and lunch will be served to all attendees. RSVP not required.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
Cal Poly Tax Clinic Offers Assistance with IRS Challenges
Do you know someone in the community facing an IRS tax dispute? We might be able to help. The Cal Poly Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) ensures the fairness and integrity of the tax system by educating low-income taxpayers about their rights and responsibilities. We do this by providing pro bono representation to taxpayers in tax disputes with the IRS, conducting outreach and education to taxpayers who speak English as a second language (ESL), and by identifying and advocating for issues that impact low-income taxpayers.
International Center
International Engagement Symposium
Faculty and staff are invited to the International Engagement Symposium today from 3 to 5 p.m. at the 1901 Marketplace Pavilion. Hosted by the International Center and Office of Research, the event offers opportunities to connect with colleagues and explore global collaboration through faculty presentations, poster sessions and conversation. Speakers include Nishi Rajakaruna, Xiaoying Rong and Alexander Parker. A live Taiko drumming performance will follow at 5:10 p.m. in the University Union Amphitheater.
Associated Students, Inc.
University Union Solar Array Launch
Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) will celebrate the launch of a new 520-panel solar array on the University Union rooftop from 11 a.m. to noon May 7 at the University Union Plaza. Developed in partnership with Cal Poly’s Energy, Utilities and Sustainability department, the 210 kW system contributes renewable energy to the campus power grid and supports Cal Poly’s growing on-site solar generation. Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to attend the launch event to celebrate this achievement! To learn more about ASI’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and campus infrastructure improvements visit ASI’s Sustainability page.
Music Department
Lorenz Gamma to Perform and Present a Chamber Master Class on May 7
Guest violinist Lorenz Gamma will give a free presentation at 11:10 a.m. Thursday, May 7, in Room 218 of the Davidson Music Center. He will perform a duet with Music Department faculty member and cellist Megan Chartier, then a Cal Poly student string quintet will play a portion of Ralph Vaughan Williams' "Phantasy Quintet" and be coached on their performance. Gamma is professor of violin at CSU Northridge, where he serves as head of strings and director of chamber music. He is also artistic director of the Borromeo Music Festival in Switzerland.
College of Engineering
Change The World: The Systems Thinking Challenge Final Presentation
The College of Engineering invites you to attend the Change The World: The Systems Thinking Challenge Final Presentations from 1 to 5 p.m. May 8 in the ATL (No. 007). This is a student innovation program that empowers students to apply systems-thinking tools to design impactful solutions to complex, real-world challenges. Students have progressed from preliminary proposals to final presentations, and winners will be chosen May 8.
Find out More About the Program
Music Department
Cal Poly’s PolyRhythmics Percussion Concert Set for May 14
Cal Poly’s PolyRhythmics Percussion Ensemble will give its annual concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14, in the Pavilion of the Performing Arts Center. It will include Sven-David Sandström's intensely thundering, drumming powerhouse, "Kroumata Pieces," as well as gentler, more impressionistic pieces such as Rob Sanderl's "Placid Landscapes" for four marimbas, and much more. Music Department faculty member John Astaire is the director.
Purchase Tickets from the Cal Poly Ticket Office
Alumni Engagement
Cal Poly Alumni – Latinx Community: Our Voices Panel Discussion and Reception
The Cal Poly Alumni – Latinx Community and Kennedy Library’s Special Collections and Archives are hosting a multipart event for the campus community Friday, May 15, starting at 2 p.m. The event begins at Kennedy Library with a panel discussion focusing on the Latinx/Chicanx community at Cal Poly and the importance of preserving cultural history, followed by a pop-up exhibition of Mia Lawrence’s “Who We Are and How We Show Up.” Alumni, faculty and staff are invited to close the day with a networking reception at the Cal Poly Alumni House from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Registration is required.
Real Estate Initiative
Inaugural Real Estate Day Explores Converting Ag Land for Community Use
Hamed Ghoddusi, director of the Real Estate Initiative, is spearheading the inaugural Real Estate Day from 1 to 5 p..m May 18 at the Swanson Center of Effort Conference Hall (No. 156). This half-day summit addresses California’s housing shortage, exploring possible ways to convert land currently designated as agricultural to residential while also discussing land preservation desires. Members of expert panels will discuss relevant issues while describing real case studies and research. Tickets are $45 for the general public, $10 for current Cal Poly faculty, students and staff.