Jeffrey D. Armstrong
University President
Jeffrey D. Armstrong serves as the ninth president of Cal Poly, overseeing the university’s San Luis Obispo campus as well as the Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Solano County. Appointed in December 2010, he is currently the longest‑serving president in the California State University system.
Armstrong maintains an unwavering commitment to student success and to strengthening Cal Poly’s renowned Learn by Doing educational model.
Under his leadership, Cal Poly has consistently earned recognition as the No. 1 university in the West from U.S. News & World Report. He has expanded financial aid to broaden access for students from all economic backgrounds and significantly increased philanthropic support — resulting in new teaching facilities, laboratories, athletic spaces and expanded housing options for students.
Armstrong attended Murray State University in Kentucky, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture in 1981. He earned both a master's (1984) and doctorate (1986) in physiology and endocrinology from North Carolina State University.
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Albert A. Liddicoat
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Albert A. Liddicoat serves as provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. He previously served as interim vice chancellor for Human Resources (HR) for the California State University system, providing strategic leadership in HR operations. At Cal Poly, he has held several leadership positions, including vice president for University Personnel, vice provost for Academic Affairs, interim dean of the Orfalea College of Business, and director of the Computer Engineering Program. A faculty member since 2002, he is the Forbes Professor of Computer and Electrical Engineering. He earned his doctorate and master’s degrees in electrical and industrial engineering from Stanford University and holds a bachelor's degree in electronic engineering from Cal Poly.
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Allison Baird-James
Senior Vice President, Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Allison Baird-James oversees a broad portfolio that includes budget and fiscal management, facilities management, internal audit, housing operations, information technology, procurement, risk management, public safety and oversight of auxiliary operations. Baird-James spent 14 years at UCLA, most recently serving for two years as interim vice chancellor and chief financial officer. Additionally, she served for 12 years as associate vice chancellor for business and finance solutions at UCLA, overseeing budget and fiscal management, insurance and risk management, procurement, tax, and business operations and systems. Prior to her work at UCLA, Baird-James spent 13 years at Stanford University, in a variety of university finance roles. Baird-James is a CSU alum, having earned a degree in business administration from Chico State. She is also a graduate of the executive program in management at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, and she completed the Leadership at Stanford Program.
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Corey Cook
Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Cal Poly Solano Campus
As Cal Poly Solano Campus' chief administrative officer, Corey Cook provides strategic leadership across all operations, including planning, development, enrollment, compliance and risk management. Cook holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and peace and conflict studies from UC Berkeley, and master’s and doctoral degrees in political science and public policy from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Before joining Cal Poly, he served as executive vice president and provost at Saint Mary’s College of California, founding dean of the School of Public Service at Boise State University and executive director of the Leo T. McCarthy Center at the University of San Francisco. A professor of political science, Cook’s scholarship centers on electoral and institutional reform, California politics, public opinion and political representation. He has published in leading journals and teaches courses on environmental policy, urban politics, American government and data analysis.
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Lauren Daly
Interim Vice President of University Personnel and CHRO
Lauren Daley came to Cal Poly in March 2024 and currently serves as interim vice president for University Personnel. In a short time, she has made a significant impact — leading a talented team across Employee and Labor Relations, Talent Acquisition, Learning and Development, Compensation and Classification, HR Systems, Payroll and Benefits. Daly maintains a strong focus on strategic alignment, operational efficiency and employee engagement. A proud Cal Poly alumna with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, human resources management, Daly brings both experience and a deep connection to our campus community.
Jessica Darin
Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
Jessica Darin is vice president for strategic initiatives, overseeing the university's most significant cross-campus and cross-department initiatives. After leading the successful integration of Cal Poly and Cal Maritime, she is directing a multiyear effort to expand year-round opportunities for Cal Poly students. In her role, she provides strategic oversight, aligns stakeholders, removes barriers and advances the university's most complex and high-impact priorities.
Most recently, Darin served on a two-year interim assignment as the associate vice chancellor for strategic initiatives in the CSU Chancellor's Office. Prior to that, she held a variety of leadership positions at Cal Poly, the CSU and the University of California, Riverside. Darin earned a bachelor's degree in English from UC Riverside and a master's degree in management from the University of Redlands.
Jennifer Haft
Chief of Staff
Jennifer Haft oversees the daily operations of the President’s Office, which includes the Office of Innovation, Industry and Economic Development and the Office of Tribal Relations. She supports President Armstrong as a strategic advisor and works collaboratively with the senior leadership of the university to advance priorities and initiatives. She also serves as President Armstrongʼs point of contact with Cal Polyʼs Academic Senate, Associated Students, Inc., and other internal and external stakeholders. Haft was previously assistant vice president for Operations, Administration & Finance, and she served as chief of staff and director of presidential operations at Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA). Haft holds a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication and a master’s degree in business administration, both from Ohio University.
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Terrance Harris
Vice President, Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success
Terrance Harris serves as the vice president for Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success. He has spent most of his professional career in enrollment, holding roles in recruitment, admissions advising and operations, data management, communications, and enrollment development. Beyond his professional work, Harris has coached high school basketball for 20 years and mentored hundreds of students during this pivotal stage in their lives. His spouse and three young daughters are the inspiration for all that he does. Harris earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Cal Poly.
Carter Henderson
Director of Athletics
Carter Henderson is director of athletics, where he brings a deep experience in intercollegiate athletics from around the country. He previously served as the deputy athletics director for external relations at Stanford University for nearly five years. Henderson also spent a decade at the University of Washington, where he advanced through leadership roles in external relations, ultimately serving as senior associate director of athletics for external relations. He began his athletics career at Jacksonville University, where he held director-level roles in marketing, ticketing and creative services, building a foundation in external operations and brand management.
Meggan Levitt
Vice President, Information Technology and Chief Information Officer
Meggan Levitt is vice president for information technology and chief information officer, where she leads the strategic use of technology to foster innovation and collaboration across the university. Previously, she was the associate chief information officer and assistant vice provost at University of California, Davis, with over 27 years of IT experience. Levitt holds a doctorate in higher educational leadership from Mercer University, a master of education in adult and organizational learning from the University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor of arts in Spanish from Indiana University.
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Mike McCormick
Vice President, Facilities Management and Development
Mike McCormick, vice president for facilities management and development, is responsible for both the San. Luis Obispo and Solano campuses. He leads his team in collaborative project delivery, design development, integrated capital planning and more to keep Cal Poly − essentially a small city − functioning. Facilities is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of university buildings and grounds. The team is essential to the development of new student housing, academic buildings, athletics infrastructure and other support facilities.
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Chris Murphy
Vice President, University Communications and Marketing
Chris Murphy leads the communications and public relations arm of Cal Poly and serves on the President's Leadership Council, Cal Poly Local Economic Development Committee, Cal Poly Inclusive Excellence Council, as well as chairing the Cal Poly Strategic Preparedness Committee. Prior to joining Cal Poly, Chris led the public relations and corporate communications function of TSFC, a large consumer-product food company, as well as SUPERVALU, a Fortune 50 Company. Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in marketing and communications from USC.
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Karen Tillman
Associate Vice President, Industry, Innovation and Economic Development
Karen Tillman leads Cal Poly’s Office of Industry, Innovation and Economic Development, where she guides the university’s efforts to integrate economic and workforce development with corporate engagement. The team is charged with translating innovation into durable economic opportunity, with particular focus in sectors such as ag tech, precision manufacturing, space commercialization, clean energy and blue technologies. She also oversees Cal Poly’s advocacy efforts at the federal, state and local levels.
Prior to her current role, Tillman served as interim executive director of Cal Poly’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and economic development advisor to the president. She brings nearly three decades of leadership in technology, communications, corporate strategy and crisis management, shaped by senior roles at Oracle, Cisco, GoDaddy and Brex. Tillman earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from University of California, Irvine.
Cody VanDorn
CEO, Cal Poly Partners
Cody VanDorn is the CEO of Cal Poly Partners, a nonprofit auxiliary organization providing a variety of vital commercial services. Cal Poly Partners oversees campus dining and university catering; the Mustang Shop; Print and Copy services; conference and event planning; Cal Poly Arts; real estate development; and other support services. VanDorn is responsible for the day-to-day operation of its programs and services, and works strategically with the board of directors, university leadership and student body to collectively enhance the Cal Poly experience. He holds a finance degree from Cal Poly and is a graduate from the Stanford Project Management program.
Matthew Weinstein
Vice President, University Development Alumni Engagement
CEO, Cal Poly Foundation
Matt Weinstein leads University Development and Alumni Engagement (UDAE), where he brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education development. He spent nearly a decade in senior-level positions at Carnegie Mellon. Previously, he was at the University of Pittsburgh, where he served as senior executive director of advancement for the Swanson School of Engineering. Weinstein oversees a division that focuses on fostering strong relationships with internal and external partners to enhance support for Cal Poly. UDAE establishes and implements an overall advancement program, including coordinating fundraising, donor relations, gift processing, trust and endowment management, training and systems support for the donor database, and Cal Poly Foundation support and administration.
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Robin Webb
University Counsel
Robin Webb joined the CSU Office of General Counsel in 2017 and previously served in a similar role at CSU San Bernardino. She also serves as resource attorney for First Amendment, the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and residency. Before joining the CSU, Webb was a partner in the Irvine law firm of Grant, Genovese & Baratta where she was a trial attorney and insurance coverage counsel in many different types of civil litigation matters. Webb also served as a settlement officer for the Los Angeles County Superior Court and as a mediator in various jurisdictions. She earned a juris doctorate and a bachelor’s degree from USC.