This is a friendly reminder to please use the new submission forms for Cal Poly Report and Sponsored Portal Announcements starting Sept. 23.
There will be a month-long adoption period for this new process. After Oct. 31, we cannot guarantee email submissions will be included in Cal Poly Report or SPAs.
News
Astronaut Victor Glover Returns Full-Time to Cal Poly After Historic Artemis II Mission
Cal Poly, ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities, has announced that alum and recently retired U.S. Navy captain and emeritus NASA astronaut Victor Glover has taken on a full-time administrative leadership position with the university, effective Sept. 1. Glover, who piloted NASA’s Artemis II mission around the moon, returns to his alma mater to provide counsel to President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and other senior leaders. In his new role, Glover will help shape Cal Poly’s long-term strategies, positioning the university (including Cal Poly Maritime Academy) as a global leader in polytechnic education, research innovation and workforce production.
Read More About Glover’s New Position
News
Cal Poly Maritime Academy hosts Maritime Summit
Government, industry, labor and education leaders gathered at Cal Poly Maritime Academy on Sept. 10 for a maritime summit focused on strengthening the nation’s maritime industry and building the workforce needed to support its future. Hosted by U.S. Rep. John Garamendi, the summit brought together federal, state and local officials with maritime industry leaders to discuss U.S. maritime competitiveness, the Bay Area’s industrial capacity and opportunities to expand career pathways into the Blue Economy.
News
Antisemitism Task Force Update and Report Findings
Culture and Institutional Excellence has published an information page about the Antisemitism Task Force, a collection of students, employees and broader community members committed to addressing antisemitism at Cal Poly. The task force was created to assist the university in developing actionable strategies that improve the experience of Jewish community members universitywide. The task force has four primary areas of focus: the Jewish student experience; employee comprehension of antisemitism; campus climate; and the development of continued institutional engagement. The webpage includes more information about these goals and resources to support Jewish life and student success at Cal Poly.
News
Project RattleCam Reveals Baby Snakes During Birthing Season for the First Time
It’s the season for babies in the snake world, and Project RattleCam is capturing magical moments. The livestream camera feed has revealed footage of a live birth, dozens of newborns and even documented the cycle of life, capturing images of a five-year-old snake, Iris, first seen in 2021 as a baby in California. Iris recently gave birth to her own offspring. And for the first time, the project captured the activities of baby Timber rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania after the latest camera went live in May.
Learn More About the RattleCam
Faculty and Staff
Benefits Open Enrollment Open Through Oct. 9
Benefits open enrollment is your annual opportunity to review, enroll, change or cancel your health and voluntary plans effective January 2027. This includes your medical, dental, vision, flexcash, dependent care and/or health care reimbursement account and voluntary offerings. Find details on the Open Enrollment webpage. Attend our virtual benefits fair to learn more about rates, changes and features. This is your opportunity to ask questions as you make decisions regarding your coverage. The virtual benefits fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 1.
Register for the Benefits Fair
Faculty and Staff
Join a Faculty and Staff Association
In our continued dedication to fostering community, Culture and Institutional Excellence encourages Cal Poly employees to consider becoming a member of any of the university’s faculty and staff associations (FSAs). There are 11 FSAs, some of which have been active for as long as 20 years, while others have been formed within the past couple of years. FSAs are social and community-building groups for faculty, staff and some graduate students that host events, mentorship, educational programs and initiatives that promote belonging on campus.
Join a Faculty and Staff Association
Faculty and Staff
Apply to Become a Service-Learning Faculty Fellow
Academic Innovations and Programs and the Center for Service in Action invite faculty teaching in spring 2027 to apply individually or in teams to become Service-Learning (SL) Faculty Fellows for the fall 2026 term. Service-learning combines learning goals and community service in ways that can enhance both student growth and the common good. The fellowship supports faculty teaching spring 2027 courses in redesigning their courses with SL projects. The application deadline is 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28. Questions? Email Anurag Pande. In-person office hours are on Tuesdays from 1 to 2 p.m. in the International Center.
Faculty and Staff
Elizabeth Adan Appointed New APP Faculty Fellow
Elizabeth Adan, chair of the Women’s, Gender and Queer Studies Department, has been appointed Academic Programs and Planning Faculty Fellow. In this role, Adan will work in the areas of program development and review, academic policies, associate degree for transfer pathways and other CSU- and university-level initiatives. Adan has taught at Cal Poly since 2007, starting in the Art and Design Department and moving to the Interdisciplinary Studies in the Liberal Arts (ISLA) Department in 2019. In 2021, Adan was presented with the College of Liberal Arts’ Richard K. Simon Award for Outstanding Career Achievement in Service.
Faculty and Staff
Li Dang Appointed New Faculty Director of Academic Assessment
Li Dang, professor of accounting, has been appointed as the new faculty director of academic assessment in the Office of Academic Programs and Planning. In this role, Dang will provide leadership and direction for academic assessment at the program and institutional levels, collaborate across campus to provide assessment workshops for faculty and coordinate the administration of external campuswide assessments. Dang has taught at Cal Poly since 2006 and in 2022 was named Outstanding Faculty in Accounting. She was also director of the MS Accounting program (2018-2021) and department chair of Orfalea College of Business’s Accounting and Law Area (2019-2022).
University Announcements
New Heritage Month Communications Webpage
Culture and Institutional Excellence (CIX) recognizes nationally established Heritage and History Month observances and encourages learning, reflection and engagement in programs and events across both Cal Poly campuses. The Heritage Month Communications webpage outlines the university’s approach to these communications, the guiding principles that inform them and where members of the community can view Heritage and History Month statements.
News
Cal Poly’s Kennedy Library Renovation Earns AIA Merit Award
Cal Poly’s Robert E. Kennedy Library renovation has earned a Merit Award at the 2026 AIA San Diego Design Awards, recognizing the transformation of a campus landmark into a welcoming, accessible and sustainable hub for student learning. The award honors the renovation designed by The Miller Hull Partnership and delivered with Hensel Phelps. The renovation was Cal Poly’s first major project to use Collaborative Design-Build. Completed in 2025, the two-year transformation renewed the library while preserving the character of architect Robert Marquis’s original vision for the building, which opened in 1981.
Read More About the AIA Merit Award
Campus Announcements
Fresh Picks Front and Center at Campus Market
You spoke, and we listened. Campus Market now features an expanded selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, making it easier to grab fresh options right on campus. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack, ingredients for your next meal or an easy way to add more produce to your day, we’ve got you covered. Stop by Campus Market and check out what’s fresh.
Campus Announcements
Stay Alert and Travel Safely Across Campus
The fall semester is in full swing, and campus is busy and buzzing. Wherever you are headed, be aware of your surroundings, follow posted signs and use designated routes. This is especially important near active work areas such as the Building 19 loading dock and service drive, where trucks, delivery and waste collection vehicles, carts and forklifts operate — often with limited visibility. To avoid a potentially life-threatening collision, please stay away from the restricted work area and allow extra time to reach your destination safely. Pedestrians should use designated walkways, while people traveling by bicycle or golf cart should follow prescribed paths.
Events
Alphabet Rockers Perform on Oct. 3 at Spanos Theatre
Grammy Award and Emmy Award-winning Alphabet Rockers bring their signature blend of hip-hop, storytelling and community-building to the stage with “SHADES: Anthems for the Planet,” an interactive concert experience for children and families inspired by the voices of climate caretakers, scientists and environmental changemakers from around the world. Filled with music, movement and audience participation, this high-energy performance celebrates the power of working together to care for one another and the planet we share. This event has student tickets and a 20% Cal Poly staff and faculty discount available.
Catastrophic Leave
Kevin Hinckley, Custodian, Facilities Management-Custodial Services, has qualified for catastrophic leave. To donate leave credits to help Hinckley remain in full-pay status during an extended leave of absence, please contact catastrophic leave coordinator Sonika Dacosta at 805-756-3054 or sodacost@calpoly.edu to request a donation form.
Athletics Schedule
Wednesday, Sept. 16
- Men’s soccer versus Cal State Bakersfield, Mustang Memorial Field, 7 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 17
- Volleyball vs. Santa Clara, Mott Athletics Center, 7 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 18
- Volleyball vs. Arizona State, Mott Athletics Center, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 19
- Football vs. San Diego, Mustang Memorial Field, 5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20
- Volleyball vs. Stanford, Mott Athletics Center, 3 p.m.
Campus Announcements
Save the Date: CommUNITY Day is Oct. 8
Students, faculty and staff are invited to come together for CommUNITY Day, a campuswide celebration of culture, connection and community. Activities will take place throughout the day, culminating in a special performance by the campus band. More details and a full schedule are coming soon.