After nine remarkable years at Cal Poly and countless accomplishments that include bringing the Frost Center and Vista Grande to life and leading the university’s financial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cindy Villa will be embarking on her retirement at the end of the month.
Officially announced during fall quarter 2023, Cindy’s last day on campus will be March 31.
In her role as senior vice president of Administration and Finance she oversaw major capital projects such as the renovation of 1901 Marketplace and the Kennedy Library, the expansion of the Technology Park, and the building of the Justin and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture, as well as numerous other projects such as the Dignity Health Baseball Clubhouse, the Cal Poly Plant Conservatory and Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex.
Always a champion for efficiency and process improvement, Cindy started her tenure on campus by restructuring leadership roles and in doing so created the first stand-alone Department of Emergency Management (DEM) in the CSU.
“She immediately recognized the importance of expanding the role of emergency management on campus and made the decision to have a stand-alone department,” said Anthony Knight, executive director of Public Safety and Emergency Management.
Just years later, this same department led the university through the pandemic.
In another first, she helped establish the Audit and Consulting Services department – the first university-wide Audit Committee in the CSU.
Her passion for first impressions through landscaping can be seen across campus, including university entrances and other recently completed projects. The Utility Box Art program and many campus murals are all thanks to her foresight and leadership.
This is just a snapshot of the far-reaching legacy that Cindy will leave on campus.
As leadership embarks on a nationwide search to fill Cindy's role, we are fortunate to have Stan Nosek serving in the interim. Nosek, a retired UC Davis vice chancellor, also held this interim position at Cal Poly in 2013.
To celebrate Cindy’s amazing contribution a Cal Poly a Retirement Celebration in the PAC Main Lobby is scheduled for March 29 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. Please click here to RSVP for this retirement celebration.