An inside look at living, studying and working at Cal Poly.

Inside Cal Poly

Original Source: Mustang News



Reporter: Kimber Draughon



Date: February 28, 2026



Link: <a href="https://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-tech-park-expansion/">https://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-tech-park-expansion/</a>



A&nbsp;<a href="https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/cal-poly-partners-opens-new-building-technology-park">new building opened at Cal Poly Technology Park</a>, marking the end of the second phase of expansion for the $12.2 million project. The final lease was signed in November 2025.



The two-story, 16,200-square-foot facility is intended to foster further collaboration between students and industry collaborators.&nbsp;<a href="https://calpolypartners.org/real-estate-development/technology-park">Tenants are expected to complement Cal Poly’s technical programs</a>&nbsp;and operate through applied research and workforce development.



“The main driving factor for Tech Park is to complement the student success with opportunities to get job experience while they’re here on campus,” said Cal Poly Partner’s associate executive director of Real Estate Development &amp; Services Jim Dunning.&nbsp;

Green and silver two-story building with exterior staircase, large windows, handicap parking, and a sign reading "Technology Park II.

Cal Poly Partners expands Technology Park with new collaborative facility

Original Source: Cal Matters



Reporter: Mikhail Zinshteyn and Jeremy Garza



Date: November 20, 2024



Link: <a href="https://calmatters.org/education/2024/11/cal-maritime-cal-poly-merger/">https://calmatters.org/education/2024/11/cal-maritime-cal-poly-merger/</a>



In a bid to forestall its financial disintegration, Cal Maritime, California’s smallest public university, is merging with one of the state’s most selective and financially stable universities, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. It’s a move that’ll conjoin a Bay Area campus that trains students for a life at sea to a school 250 miles away that’s known for agriculture and engineering.



The state’s Lt. Gov, Eleni Kounalakis, a trustee member, said “this is, without question, the most exciting thing that has happened” in her six years of serving on the board. The consolidation is “going to elevate both of these campuses.”

Group of young people in Cal Maritime Keelhaulers shirts standing outdoors with one holding a blue flag with an anchor symbol.

Cal State is trying to save its smallest campus by merging it with Cal Poly

Original Source: The Tribune



Reporter: David Middlecamp



Date: March 7, 2026 



Link: <a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/photos-from-the-vault/article314930900.html">https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/photos-from-the-vault/article314930900.html</a>



Without the economic and educational powerhouse of Cal Poly, SLO life would be literally slow — closer to the rural cow-town it was in 1901 when the university was founded. How small was San Luis Obispo?



In 1900, the U.S. Census said the city had 3,021 residents. In 2025, more than twice that number received diplomas in the Spring Commencement, with 6,821 degrees conferred. And that’s not counting fall graduation. And it almost didn’t happen.



Years of failure preceded the founding and funding and at several times, the school was on life support with draconian budget cuts in Sacramento. Now the school is so successful that within the last decade Humboldt rebranded as the third state polytechnic and Maritime Academy became the fourth.



Cal Poly is celebrating 125th anniversary of Governor Henry Gage signing legislation establishing Cal Poly on March 8, 1901.

Large campus building in a valley with hills in the background, a steam train passing by leaving smoke trails.

Happy birthday, Mustangs! Here’s how Cal Poly got its start 125 years ago

Original Source:&nbsp;Cal Poly



Reporter:&nbsp;Cynthia Lambert&nbsp;



Date:&nbsp;March 5, 2026



Link: <a href="https://www.calpoly.edu/news/heard-heard-student-feedback-drives-change-cal-poly">https://www.calpoly.edu/news/heard-heard-student-feedback-drives-change-cal-poly</a>



The new Grocery Tripper&nbsp;shuttle service launched this January for Cal Poly students, providing a free ride&nbsp;to off-campus stores like Trader Joe’s and Target. It has been hugely popular, with full shuttles&nbsp;transporting 1,894&nbsp;students&nbsp;off&nbsp;campus&nbsp;from Jan.&nbsp;9 &#8211; Feb.&nbsp;15.&nbsp;



The program is a partnership between Associated Students,&nbsp;Inc.&nbsp;(ASI)&nbsp;and Campus Health and Wellbeing’s Basic Needs, but another,&nbsp;possibly lesser-known&nbsp;Cal Poly program deserves some credit — a&nbsp;qualitative&nbsp;market research program called&nbsp;The&nbsp;HEARD.&nbsp;



The HEARD, within the Assessment and Research unit of Cal Poly’s Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Affairs division, launched in 2017 to amplify the student voice to campus leadership. Through student focus groups and surveys, The HEARD provides a platform for students to tell administrators how to improve the programs and services that impact their campus experience. The in-depth findings are a tool for student and administrative leaders to advocate for campus improvements.

Group of people seated in a conference room attending a presentation on inclusivity with slides displaying activity instructions.

Heard of The HEARD? Student Feedback Drives Change at Cal Poly

Original Source: Cal Poly



Reporter: Cynthia Lambert 



Date: March 5, 2026



Link: <a href="https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/cal-poly-again-named-most-promising-place-work-student-affairs">https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/cal-poly-again-named-most-promising-place-work-student-affairs</a>



SAN LUIS OBISPO — ACPA-College Student Educators International and the EDU Ledger has announced Cal Poly is one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs for the seventh time since 2017.&nbsp;



The university is among 30 institutions of higher learning to earn the honor in 2026. Cal Poly is one of two California State University campuses recognized, alongside CSU Long Beach.&nbsp;



This year’s honorees were recognized for their focus on staffing practices and work environment, which included key attributes such as family friendliness, salary/benefits and professional development opportunities.&nbsp;

Large illuminated "CAL POLY" sign at night with plants and pathway in front.

Cal Poly Again Named ‘Most Promising Place to Work in Student Affairs’

Original Source: KSBY



Reporter: KSBY Staff



Date: Feb 05, 2026



Link: <a href="https://www.ksby.com/san-luis-obispo/cal-poly-partners-unveils-brand-new-technology-park-space-on-campus">https://www.ksby.com/san-luis-obispo/cal-poly-partners-unveils-brand-new-technology-park-space-on-campus</a>



Cal Poly Partners hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday morning for the new addition on the Technology Park building.



According to the organization, Technology Park has been on campus for more than a decade.



This new addition includes more than 16,000-square-feet of office spaces and site upgrades.



University officials say the new facility is designed to enhance collaboration between faculty, students, staff, and other partners, all while advancing Cal Poly&#8217;s &#8220;Learn by Doing&#8221; initiative.

Crowd gathered outside a modern two-story building with metal roof and large windows on a sunny day.

Cal Poly Partners unveils brand-new Technology Park space on campus

Original Source: The Tribune 



Reporter: Sadie Dittenber



Date: Feb. 3, 2026&nbsp;



Link: <a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/cal-poly-university/article314553003.html">https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/cal-poly-university/article314553003.html</a> 



A Cal Poly alumnus will soon pilot the first manned mission around the moon since 1972. Victor Glover, a NASA astronaut and 1999 graduate of Cal Poly, was selected in 2023 as one of four astronauts slated to man the upcoming Artemis II lunar mission.



Glover became a NASA astronaut in 2013 and previously piloted the SpaceX Crew-1 trip to the International Space Station, according to his NASA bio.

Man in a blue NASA flight suit with patches speaking, hands gesturing.

A Cal Poly graduate will pilot the upcoming mission to the moon. What to know

Original Source: KSBY



Reporter: Kaitlyn Le



Date: Feb 03, 2026



Link:<a href="https://www.ksby.com/san-luis-obispo/26-cal-poly-students-honored-at-california-state-capitol"> </a><a href="https://www.ksby.com/san-luis-obispo/26-cal-poly-students-honored-at-california-state-capitol">https://www.ksby.com/san-luis-obispo/26-cal-poly-students-honored-at-california-state-capitol</a>



Twenty-six Cal Poly students were honored Feb. 2 at the California State Capitol for national achievements in academics, research and student leadership. The students were recognized in the California State Assembly and Senate as part of Cal Poly’s 12th annual legislative showcase.



Senior architecture major and president of Cal Poly Rose Float, Aubrey Goings, represented her team after it won the Sweepstakes Award, the Rose Parade’s top honor, at the 2026 Rose Parade. Goings said the award reflected the teamwork behind the student-built float, marking the first Sweepstakes win for the Cal Poly universities.



Students recognized came from across Cal Poly’s six academic colleges: College of Liberal Arts; College of Architecture and Environmental Design; College of Engineering, Bailey College of Science and Mathematics; College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Services; and Orfalea College of Business. Three additional students represented Cal Poly Maritime Academy in Vallejo.

Group of people in formal attire standing in a room with red curtains, gold-trimmed columns, and wooden desks with laptops.

26 Cal Poly Students Honored at California State Capitol

Original Source: Cal Poly



Reporter: Robyn Kontra Tanner



Date: January 8, 2026



Link: <a href="https://www.calpoly.edu/news/light-spacious-and-bustling-take-look-inside-refreshed-kennedy-library">https://www.calpoly.edu/news/light-spacious-and-bustling-take-look-inside-refreshed-kennedy-library</a>



After a two-year closure, the refreshed Robert E. Kennedy Library — the largest library between Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz — has reopened its doors and assumed its rightful spot as a hub of campus life.&nbsp;



The space reopened in September 2025 after its first major remodel since it originally debuted in January of 1981. The $78-million renovation improved accessibility, added classroom space, upgraded heating and cooling systems and expanded the on-site cafe — all while saving energy.



The reimagined first floor holds two exhibit spaces for art and historical artifacts from Kennedy Library’s Special Collections and Archives, the expanded Julian’s Café and a redesigned courtyard. Hub24, the university’s 24-hour study space, grew to include the library’s first and second floors when the facility reopened.



At the main entrance, visitors are greeted by a vibrant work of art. The acrylic mural, titled “Grounds for Growth,” is the creation of artists Joshua Lawyer and MJ Lindo-Lawyer, known as Rough Edge Collective.

Modern concrete multi-story building with large windows, surrounded by trees and green lawn at dusk.

Category: News