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

Inside Cal Poly

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.

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.

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.

26 Cal Poly Students Honored at California State Capitol

When it comes to advancing Cal Poly’s mission, Administration &amp; Finance knows how to make it count.



For Juliette Duke, assistant vice president for University Housing, and Karyn Cornell, assistant vice president for Divisional Operations, no two days are alike. And that’s exactly why their work is so meaningful.



For Duke, whether checking in on programming and student support or troubleshooting an urgent Facilities or staffing issue, it’s important to her that well-aligned systems and processes help create a strong, supportive living experience for every student.



For Cornell, whether she’s troubleshooting an operational issue, helping a <a>team work</a> through a challenge, or coordinating with campus partners, it’s essential that efficiency and transparency be at the forefront.



To get to know these two movers and shakers better, we asked them about their roles, how they landed at Cal Poly and what they envision for our campus and its community.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What do you enjoy most about your job?</h2>



Duke: The people. Our Housing team is full of incredibly dedicated, solution-oriented professionals who care deeply about students and about each other. We’re constantly balancing big-picture goals with the daily realities of serving thousands of residents. I enjoy helping our teams navigate that complexity together.



Cornell: I enjoy helping teams do their best work. There’s something very satisfying about removing barriers, creating clarity, and watching collaboration turn into real progress for the campus. I also genuinely appreciate the variety; no two days ever look the same, which keeps the work engaging.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How did you land at Cal Poly? What was your previous role?</h2>



Duke: I came to Cal Poly because I wanted to be part of an institution that values both innovation and people. I have worked at a variety of institutions prior to coming to Cal Poly, including the University of Arizona, the University of South Florida, and my alma mater, Barry University, in Miami. My career has always been in the college environment and mainly in Housing, with a short stint in Admissions.



Cornell: I came to Cal Poly because I was excited by the opportunity to support a large, mission-driven campus and contribute to meaningful operational work. Before this role, I served as Chief of Staff at Cal Maritime prior to the integration, where I focused on strategy, communication, and campus-level operations, many of the same areas I support now.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Any standout moments at Cal Poly so far?</h2>



Duke: The planning and opening of new housing facilities have been some of the highlights of my career here. Being part of the opening of Poly Canyon Village and the planning and launch of yakʔitʸutʸu were truly special moments. I’m also excited about our upcoming housing projects and the opportunity to use modular fabrication for new construction — it’s an innovative approach, and I am excited to see it come to fruition.



Cornell: What stands out most to me is the level of dedication people bring to supporting students and each other. Whether it is teams pulling together during a complex project or small moments of appreciation and support, those interactions are what make the work feel meaningful.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What do you hope to accomplish in your role over the next few months?</h2>



Duke: My focus is on strengthening collaboration and clarity as University Housing and Residential Student Experience continues to evolve into distinct but connected departments. We’re also deepening our integration within Administration &amp; Finance and with Cal Poly Maritime Academy. Right now, we’re working on service agreements and accountability structures, so everyone understands their role in delivering a seamless, student-centered experience.



Cornell: Over the next few months, my focus is on strengthening alignment and communication within the division. I want to help make processes clearer, support teams in setting realistic priorities, and encourage consistent use of tools so we can work together more effectively.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lastly, can you share a fun fact about yourself?</h2>



Duke: A fun fact about me is that I love to read. Between my book club and my own reading, I made it through 82 books last year, and I’m still not entirely sure how I found the time. Two of my favorites were “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach and “The Magic of Found Objects” by Maddie Dawson.



Cornell: Outside of work, I love gardening. Since moving to San Luis Obispo, I’ve been learning about the Central Coast climate. After years of gardening in the Bay Area and Chico, it’s been fun figuring out what plants are happiest here.

One Shared Mission: Improving 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.

Tag: Cal Poly