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

Inside Cal Poly

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.

Light, Spacious and Bustling: Take a Look Inside a Refreshed Kennedy Library

Original Source: The Tribune



Reporter: Sadie Dittenber



Date: January 8, 2026



Link: <a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article314236616.html">https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article314236616.html</a>



Good news, San Luis Obispo County music lovers — a free concert is coming to the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly next month. The U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus will make a return visit to San Luis Obispo on Feb. 22, offering a free opportunity to enjoy live music performed by active-duty soldiers.

U.S. Army Band, Chorus Returning for Free Concert at Cal Poly. How to Get Tickets

Original Source: Los Angeles Times



Reporter: &nbsp;Hailey Branson-Potts



Date: January 1, 2026



Link: <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-01/la-me-rose-parade-float-awards-cal-poly">https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-01/la-me-rose-parade-float-awards-cal-poly</a>



The Cal Poly Universities float took top honors in the 137th Rose Parade on Thursday, winning the Sweepstakes Award for “most beautiful entry.”



The float is a joint effort by students at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. It is the only float in the parade designed and built by students.



The Cal Poly float, called “Jungle Jumpstart,” featured a 40-foot robot, depicted as lying with injuries on the rainforest floor. It is surrounded by colorful animals who are repairing the robot as it holds a red, yellow and blue parrot in its outstretched hand.

Cal Poly Float Wins Top Award in Rose Parade

Original Source: Cal Poly



Date: November 13, 2025



Link: <a href="https://www.calpoly.edu/news/cal-poly-celebrates-groundbreaking-lynda-and-stewart-resnick-student-success-center">https://www.calpoly.edu/news/cal-poly-celebrates-groundbreaking-lynda-and-stewart-resnick-student-success-center</a>



Cal Poly celebrated the groundbreaking of the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center on Thursday, Nov. 13, marking the start of construction on a transformative new facility designed to expand student support and connect students to the resources they need to thrive. 



“The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center will serve as a hub for student achievement, helping every Mustang find their place, purpose and pathway to success,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong.



Located on campus at the corner of North Perimeter Road and Village Drive, the 36,000-square-foot, three-story facility will be named after global philanthropists and entrepreneurs Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company. The naming honors The Wonderful Company’s $20 million lead gift to the center and the Resnicks’ decades-long commitment to empowering students through education in California’s Central Valley.

Cal Poly Celebrates Groundbreaking of Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center

Original Source: The Tribune



Reporter: Sadie Dittenber



Date: November 20, 2025



Link: <a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/cal-poly-university/article313000965.html">https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/cal-poly-university/article313000965.html</a>



For the third consecutive year, Cal Poly ranked as the top masters-level university in the nation for study abroad offerings.



 According to the latest rankings from the Institute of International Education, Cal Poly had nearly 1,200 students study abroad during the 2023-24 academic year — the highest number out of any other masters-level university analyzed by the organization.

Cal Poly is Best in the Nation for Study Abroad, Report Finds

Original Source: Mustang News



Reporter: Lauren Quijano and Ashley Strain



Date: December 4, 2025



Link: <a href="https://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-partnerships-local-colleges/">https://mustangnews.net/cal-poly-partnerships-local-colleges/</a>



Cal Poly’s 2+2 program will expand to include liberal studies at Cuesta College and business administration at Allan Hancock College beginning in fall 2026, opening more degree options across the region, according to a Cal Poly&nbsp;<a href="https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/cal-poly-expands-regional-degree-pathways-cuesta-and-allan-hancock-colleges">press release</a>. Cal Poly launched its first 2+2 pathway last year with a single sociology cohort at Allan Hancock College.



The expanded offerings aim to increase regional access to Cal Poly degrees by allowing students to complete lower-division coursework at partner colleges before finishing upper-division classes through Cal Poly. The model is designed to support local students, working adults and those who need flexible schedules by using evening classes taught in-person and online.&nbsp;

Cal Poly Expands 2+2 Pathway to Include New Degree Options at Cuesta College and Allan Hancock College

Original Source: Mustang News



Reporter: Jeremy Garza



Date: December 4, 2025



Link: <a href="https://mustangnews.net/ai-factory-cal-poly-nvidia/">https://mustangnews.net/ai-factory-cal-poly-nvidia/</a>



Cal Poly is opening a $3 million AI Factory on campus that uses four supercomputing systems from NVIDIA, a California hardware company. Students and staff will have access to advanced computing resources found on only a few campuses nationwide, without the usual cost barriers.



“[The AI Factory] is going to be really transformational and unlike anything else in the [Cal State system],” Noyce School director Chris Lupo said at Cal Poly’s AI Convening. “This will place Cal Poly in a leadership position and think beyond tools like Chat GPT.”



The funding for the facility comes from Cal Poly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://mustangnews.net/noyce-school-of-applied-computing-receives-60-million-donation/">Noyce School of Applied Computing</a>, an interdisciplinary school that houses electrical engineering, computer science and software engineering. The investment covers installation, configuration, hardware, software licensing, enterprise support, training and technical consulting, according to university spokesperson Keegan Koberl.

Cal Poly to Build $3M AI Factory with NVIDIA Partnership

Original Source: The Tribune



Reporter: Sadie Dittenber



Date: December 11, 2025



Link: <a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/cal-poly-university/article313555860.html">https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/education/cal-poly-university/article313555860.html</a>



Cal Poly saw the highest enrollment in what appears to be university history this year, with more than 23,000 students flocking to the San Luis Obispo campus in September. According to data released by the CSU, Cal Poly enrolled a total of 23,245 students in fall 2025 — a 1.8% increase over the 22,842 students who enrolled in 2024.



More than 85% of the enrolled students were California residents, the dashboard said. About 96% were undergraduates, while 4% were graduate or postbaccalaureate students. Over the last decade, the university gained more than 2,300 students, according to the data.

Cal Poly Sees Highest Enrollment in University History. See the Data

Original Source: Cal Poly UCM



Reporter: Stephanie Zombek



Date: December 12, 2025



Link: <a href="https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/surface22-earns-top-prize-cal-poly-entrepreneurs-annual-startup-launch-weekend">https://ucm.calpoly.edu/news/surface22-earns-top-prize-cal-poly-entrepreneurs-annual-startup-launch-weekend</a> 



SAN LUIS OBISPO — Surface22, a team building titanium cutting boards designed to reduce microplastics in home kitchens and the culinary industry, won Cal Poly Entrepreneurs’ (CPE) annual Startup Launch Weekend.



Held over 54 hours on Nov. 14-16 at the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s (CIE) HotHouse in downtown San Luis Obispo, the event brought together students from across the university for a fast-paced experience in idea development, customer discovery and startup formation. Participants formed teams Friday evening and worked through the weekend to prepare final pitches to panel of judges on Sunday night.



Seventy-two student participants worked beside mentors, engaged in market research and refined concepts under tight deadlines. The weekend allowed students to explore entrepreneurship in a fast-paced environment while networking with founders and industry experts.

Category: News