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Cal Poly Partners

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Cal Poly Partners is dedicated to advancing Cal Poly’s mission. We push boundaries to provide the university with resources and services in support of programs that enable students, faculty and staff to thrive.



<a href="https://cms.calpolypartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/1301_Cal-Poly-Partners_Fact-Sheet_Final.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Learn how we do it here.</a>



Media requests, inquiries and general questions, can be sent to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:cppartnersmarcom@calpoly.edu" class="inline">cppartnersmarcom@calpoly.edu</a>.
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A student takes a selfie with the Cal Poly Mustang mascot in front of a building decorated with green and yellow balloons during a campus celebration.

News

This Giving Tuesday, Cal Poly is calling on the Mustang community to make a difference through Feed Cal Poly — a university wide initiative dedicated to combating student food insecurity.



Developed by Cal Poly Partners and <a href="https://dineoncampus.com/calpoly/" data-type="link" data-id="https://dineoncampus.com/calpoly/">Campus Dining</a>, Feed Cal Poly provides an easy way for students, alumni, faculty, staff and supporters to join the global Giving Tuesday movement by donating meals, funds or food items to ensure all Mustangs have access to the nourishment they need to thrive.



“Food insecurity is a very real and persistent concern on campus,” said Maritza Perez, Basic Needs coordinator in Campus Health and Wellbeing. “Feed Cal Poly provides a quick and easy way to donate to the Cal Poly Basic Needs Initiative and ensure all Mustangs have access to the resources they need to succeed in every aspect of their university life.”



According to a survey conducted by the American College Health Association last spring, 39% of Cal Poly students experienced low or very low food security, Perez said. Food insecurity affects physical, mental and social health — and can impact academic outcomes.



Feed Cal Poly encourages campus and the surrounding community to give back on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, by contributing to the program online. Donations support students in need through meal vouchers and other essential resources. Students can apply for support at the beginning of each quarter.



The Mustang Meal Share program allows students to donate money from their dining plan through Grubhub. Once logged in, users select “Feed Cal Poly Donation” under “Restaurant,” choose the amount and check out using Campus Express Funds.



The Meal Voucher program — primarily funded through Cal Poly Partners and Campus Dining’s Meal Share initiative — provided more than $400,000 in dining credits to more than 2,000 students last year.



There is also a link through&nbsp;<a href="https://securelb.imodules.com/s/699/bp19/interior.aspx?sid=699&amp;gid=1&amp;pgid=961&amp;cid=2272&amp;bledit=1&amp;dids=317.&amp;appealcode=A3732sort=1">giving.calpoly.edu</a>&nbsp;where anyone can donate.



Campus markets contribute to the on-campus Food Pantry, which serves hundreds of students each week. Campus Dining provides the Food Pantry access to its ordering catalog, extending quantity discounts through major purveyors for produce and grocery items, benefiting students in need.



Campus Dining also allows the Food Pantry to store additional items in its warehouse and deliver goods directly as needed. This partnership helps ensure a reliable supply of quality food, improves operational efficiency and ultimately enhances the student experience by supporting a stronger Basic Needs program.



Local grocery stores and the San Luis Obispo Food Bank also contribute. Last year, the pantry collected more than 20,000 pounds of donated food. The pantry also accepts donations of unopened, nonperishable food, personal hygiene items and school supplies.



The Cal Poly Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Support Mustangs in Need This Giving Tuesday Through Feed Cal Poly Mustang Meal Share, vouchers and food donations among ways Campus Dining assists

Cal Poly&#8217;s <a href="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/">Digital Democracy</a>, an artificial intelligence platform designed to help journalists analyze government proceedings, has received an Emmy Award for its role in uncovering hidden legislative practices in California.



Developed by the university&#8217;s students and staff under Professor Foaad Khosmood, Digital Democracy uses AI to automatically transcribe and analyze legislative hearings, helping reporters identify how lawmakers can block bills without public votes.



Through <a href="https://iatpp.calpoly.edu/" data-type="link" data-id="https://iatpp.calpoly.edu/">Cal Poly&#8217;s Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy</a>, the project launched in 2014 with the purpose to increase government transparency and support local journalism. It now partners with the nonprofit newsroom <a href="https://calmatters.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://calmatters.org/">CalMatters</a> to provide tools for data-driven political reporting.



“This recognition shows that technology can truly serve the public good,” Khosmood said. “It highlights how collaboration and innovation can strengthen democracy.”

Cal Poly’s Digital Democracy Recognized with Emmy for Advancing Government Transparency

“Learn by doing” is the official mantra of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California and the school’s foodservice provider, Chartwells Higher Education, is embracing that mantra with its student cooking classes.



“Part of our mission is to be aligned with the university,” says Director of Campus Dining&nbsp;Jess Dozier.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We&#8217;ve got a really strong culinary team, and so it&#8217;s just been a fun way to involve students.”



The one-hour classes are held once a month and offer 20 to 25 students a chance to learn new culinary skills that they can take back to their dorm rooms.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Teaching students real-world skills ">Teaching students real-world skills&nbsp;</h3>



The dining team has been offering the classes for several years now. Each class begins with the instructor sharing the history behind whatever dish it is that they will make as well as how the dish is prepared in different cultures.



From there, the chefs walk students through how to prepare the item, and the students cook right alongside them. Earlier this semester, for example, Dozier taught students how to make their own omelets and even showed them how to flip them.



“It&#8217;s interactive. You&#8217;re doing it with them,” says&nbsp;Dozier.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It&#8217;s not just, ‘this is how you do it,’ it&#8217;s meant to be very fun and engaging, and very, very low key.”



The team tries to pick dishes that use simple ingredients and basic techniques that they know students will continue to make on their own once the class is over.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Forming a connection">Forming a connection</h3>



The classes have become popular with students and generally sell out. The team is currently looking at ways they can grow the program, so they don’t have to turn students away who want to participate.



For fellow dining teams looking to start their own cooking classes with students, Dozier recommends not to overthink it and just have fun with it.



Even though setting up and running the classes takes time, it is worth it for the opportunity to get in front of students and form a connection with them.



“If you can make a connection with students, then you&#8217;re more apt to get feedback from them and things like that. And that&#8217;s what you need to make your program better,” says Dozier. “This is just another avenue to do that too but have some fun. It&#8217;s mainly just for fun.”

Professor teaching students culinary skills.

Cal Poly Campus Dining’s cooking classes serve up life skills with a side of connection

SAN LUIS OBISPO — While increased home construction is often cited as a solution to California’s affordability crisis, a Cal Poly finance professor says building more homes won’t solve the problem.



Instead, Hamed Ghoddusi, an associate professor at the Orfalea College of Business, said communities like San Luis Obispo need to pursue a concerted effort to build homes for specific types of workers, including educators and medical providers.



“There is a good reason for high house prices, which reflect the quality of local amenities and the willingness to pay for them,” said Ghoddusi, who recently researched the Central Coast housing market. “However, these prices are negatively affecting our area’s labor market by creating an imbalance or shortage in certain critical sectors.”



That imbalance could negatively impact the broader community in a variety of ways, he added.



“We already see that people in high-demand professions are leaving SLO to relocate to places that pay well and cost less to live,” he said. “Also, the ‘medical desert’ situation that is partly caused by high housing costs is forcing residents with specialized medical needs to leave the area to reside in counties with higher density of health-care providers. Some of those residents are critical members of the community that may not be easily replaced.”



The research, funded by the Economic Development Administration’s University Center, is part of a collaboration with CSU Chico, the grant leader, along with Cal Poly and Fresno State.



The median list price for homes home in San Luis Obispo exceeded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article311522869.html">$1.3 million this summer</a>, according to the Realtors Association. That rising price is at least partly due to an influx of remote workers, local tech jobs and wealthy retirees, Ghoddusi said.



“The demand for those groups keeps the willingness to pay high and strong,” he said. “I believe with factors such as climate change, higher traffic and increased crime rates in larger cities, SLO may become even a more desired place to live and that may put further pressure on our local housing prices, similar to what Santa Barbara has experienced on a different scale.”



As a result, more construction would likely just add more expensive homes that are out of range for many locals — including a variety of needed professionals.



One example of a targeted project is evident at Cal Poly, where Cal Poly Partners, the university’s mission-driven nonprofit that for 85 years has enabled faculty research and supported Learn by Doing experiences for students, is currently building housing at a reduced cost for faculty and staff in an effort to recruit and retain qualified employees.



“We recognize that market-rate construction alone cannot address the housing challenges faced by our faculty and staff,” said Jim Dunning, associate executive director of Real Estate Development and Services with Cal Poly Partners.



The new construction supplements the Bella Montana housing development Cal Poly Partners currently provides for sale to faculty and staff, Dunning said.



“Our newest project, Vista Meadows, will feature 34 single family homes that further meet our goals to create a program that becomes increasingly attainable over time, ensuring that future generations of educators and staff can continue to live and work in the community they serve, even as broader housing market pressures continue to escalate.”



Targeted housing like that, Ghoddusi said, is different than affordable housing programs, such as the one used by the city of San Luis Obispo that requires most new residential and commercial development to contribute to affordable housing, either by constructing affordable housing units with the project or by paying an “in-lieu” fee to a city fund to help affordable housing development.



“Affordable housing works based on income limits, such as 30 percent or 80 percent of area median income,” he said. “The subjects of targeted housing typically earn just above the affordable housing income cap.”



While affordable housing programs are lottery based and represent a limited number of homes, Ghoddusi said, communities need to pursue multiple fronts to address the housing challenge.



“We need a portfolio of housing solutions, and this one is another program,” he said.



Ghodussi is a member of the Real Estate Initiative, a joint effort between the Orfalea College of Business and College of Architecture and Environmental Design to prepare Cal Poly students for real estate careers and provide relevant research.



“The Orfalea College of Business mission is to have a positive impact on business and society,” said Dean Damon Fleming. “Research like Hamed’s seeks solutions to challenges that can improve the quality of life in communities.”



While he sees targeted housing as one solution, Ghoddusi said the county still needs to produce expensive homes as well.



“While it may seem counterintuitive, it is part of the solution because this way you keep two demand groups separate and reduce the demand in the lower cost segment of the housing market,” he said. “However, we should also mind supply limitations. If the expensive housing projects compete and crowd out other potentially efficient housing projects, they will have a negative impact on targeted&nbsp;housing and work-force housing supply.”



# # #

Construction crews working on a large dirt field at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with equipment and vehicles in the background, surrounded by trees, campus buildings, and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Commercial Home Construction Alone Won’t Ease SLO County’s Housing Crisis, Says Cal Poly Finance Professor, Who Urges More ‘Targeted’ Residential Projects

Cal Poly Partners Plaza, the 14,200-square-foot tiered hospitality area in the north end zone of Alex G. Spanos Stadium, was recently recognized as an <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.ascelasection.org/awards/detail/cal_poly_partners_plaza_spanos_stadium">Outstanding Community Improvement Project</a> by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Los Angeles Section.&nbsp;



The Plaza received the award for its exceptional civil engineering enhancements in service of the Cal Poly community. The Plaza previously received two awards from the ASCE San Luis Obispo Branch for Outstanding Urban or Land Development Project and Outstanding Community Improvement Project.&nbsp;



“Cal Poly Partners Plaza is a shared commitment to supporting a vibrant campus environment,” said Cody VanDorn, Cal Poly Partners CEO. “We are thrilled to offer a revitalized space that continues to offer an immersive athletics and community-gathering experience.”&nbsp;



The university’s nonprofit auxiliary, Cal Poly Partners, collaborated with San Luis Obispo-based Wallace Group, Maino Construction and TenOver Studio to transform the space from unusable and restricted to a multi-level viewing plaza featuring a new concession area, turf play area, landscaped pathways and picnic areas.&nbsp;



The accessible pathways provide ADA access to all levels of the Plaza and connect the home and visitor’s side of the stadium with O’Neill Green. The project also included new ADA parking spaces on California Blvd adjacent to the project site.&nbsp;



The Plaza opened last fall and transformed an underutilized location in a prime area of the stadium into an immersive college athletics experience with a fantastic field view.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Providing a significant upgrade to the stadium’s concessions, the Plaza offers two unique culinary and beverage venues, as well as one standalone drink concession. Customizable catering and beverage services are also available in the exclusive turnkey VIP section for company picnics and employee or corporate events.&nbsp;



“We’re honored to be recognized by the ASCE Los Angeles Section,” said Dan Swingley, senior project manager. “The goal was to enhance the stadium facilities for events, and we’re glad our community efforts have paid off.”&nbsp;



Each year, the Los Angeles Section presents Project and Individual Awards at the Section Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Ceremony. The Branches, Younger Member Forum, Life Member Forum, Technical Groups, Committees and individual members nominate these awards.&nbsp;



Following the 2025 ASCE LA Section Annual Awards ceremony, the winners, including Cal Poly Partners Plaza, will be forwarded to the Region 9 Awards Committee for consideration of a 2026 Region 9 Award.&nbsp;

Cal Poly Partners Plaza Recognized as an Outstanding Community Improvement Project

Cal Poly Partners&#8217; Marketing and Communications team earned top tier recognition from the 2025 MarCom awards, receiving honors for all 10 of its submissions. The team won one Platinum Award, six Gold Awards, and three Honorable Mentions for creative excellence across a range of university projects.



The awards, administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professions (AMCP), recognize outstanding achievement in marketing and communications, with this year&#8217;s competition drawing many entries. 



Cal Poly Partners’ winning work included collaborations with Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, Academic Affairs, and other campus departments—reflecting the team’s commitment to advancing Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing mission through strategic storytelling and design.



“Our team is honored to be recognized among leading marketing and communication professionals worldwide,” said Ellen Curtis, associate executive director of Marketing and Communications for Cal Poly Partners. “These awards reflect the creativity, collaboration and passion that drive our work to amplify the impact of Cal Poly and its partners every day.”



The Platinum Award, the competition’s highest honor, recognizes exceptional quality and serves as a benchmark for the industry. The Gold Awards and Honorable Mentions further highlight the team’s excellence across diverse media, &nbsp;including strategic campaigns, visual design and video production.



For a full list of winners, visit <a href="https://marcomawards.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://marcomawards.com/">www.marcomawards.com</a>.

Two 2025 MarCom Award trophies displayed side by side, featuring a platinum winner statue on the left and a gold winner statue on the right, against a bright green background.

Cal Poly Partners Marketing and Communications Team Earns 10 MarCom Awards

1144 Chorro St. in downtown San Luis Obispo is being redeveloped into the new Cal Poly Mustang Shop and <a href="https://cie.calpoly.edu/" data-type="link" data-id="https://cie.calpoly.edu/">Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. </a>



Cal Poly Partners is leading the project, which will merge the Mustang Shop and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship into one downtown hub. Construction is underway with a planned winter 2026 move-in.

Former Sports Authority location in downtown San Luis Obispo undergoing construction

<a href="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly/campus-map/poly-choice" data-type="link" data-id="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly/campus-map/poly-choice">Poly Choice</a>, Cal Poly Dining&#8217;s newest venue at 1901 Marketplace, is bringing a new energy to the campus lunch scene. Replacing Poly Deli this year, the restaurant was brought to life by student feedback and features a rotating menu every six weeks to keep choices new and exciting.



The current menu consists of build-your-own poke bowls, priced at $13.95, along with grad-and-go items, around or under $7. Students can order ahead through Grubhub, and early results show that Poly Choice is quickly becoming a fan favorite. 



The food shop is open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Friday until 1:45 p.m.

The Poly Choice dining venue at Cal Poly’s 1901 Marketplace, featuring a clean, modern counter setup with hanging lights, menu boards and food stations.

Poly Choice replaces Poly Deli at 1901 Marketplace 

<a href="https://calpolypartners.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://calpolypartners.org/">Cal Poly Partners</a>, in collaboration with <a href="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly" data-type="link" data-id="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly">Cal Poly Campus Dining</a>, has opened Hilltop, a new grocery store in <a href="https://housing.calpoly.edu/student-housing/residence-halls-and-apartments/poly-canyon-village-apartments" data-type="link" data-id="https://housing.calpoly.edu/student-housing/residence-halls-and-apartments/poly-canyon-village-apartments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poly Canyon Village</a> designed to give students access to more affordable goods.



The store offers fresh produce, deli meats, toiletries and dry goods, with a focus on keeping prices low. Director of Commercial Services Russell Monteath said the idea came directly from student feedback, with many expressing concerns over high on-campus prices.



Hilltop’s affordability comes from working with suppliers such as <a href="https://www.foodbuy.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.foodbuy.com/">Food Buy</a>, <a href="https://www.jdfood.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.jdfood.com/">JD Meats and Seafood</a>, and Cal Poly Products. Looking ahead, Cal Poly Partners is exploring a grocery delivery option, and Monteath is encouraging students to share feedback to help improve the store.

Two Cal Poly students holding grocery baskets and shopping at Cal Poly's new on campus store in PCV.

Campus dining to open a new, cheaper grocery store in PCV

Cal Poly&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/">Digital Democracy</a>, an artificial intelligence reporting tool working with nonprofit newsroom CalMatters, was awarded an Emmy Award for political reporting.



The award was presented by the Northern California chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts &amp; Sciences and recognized the AI-powered investigative reporting in,&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/digital-democracy/2024/04/california-democrats-no-votes/">&#8220;Power is never having to say &#8216;no.&#8217; How California Democrats kill bills without voting against them&#8221;</a>&nbsp;coauthored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/personality/julie-watts/">CBS correspondent Julie Watts</a>&nbsp;and CalMatters reporter&nbsp;<a href="https://calmatters.org/author/ryan-sabalow/">Ryan Sabalow</a>.

Group photo of a team posing together in front of a black background with two Emmy Awards displayed on a table in front of them.

AI-powered investigative tool created at Cal Poly nabs Emmy Award for Political Reporting

Cal Poly Campus Dining has earned top national honors for excellence in student-focused food service, taking home two Grand Prizes at the 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards in Salt Lake City.



The awards, presented by the National Association of College &amp; University Food Services (NACUFS), recognize Cal Poly for Innovative Dining Program of the Year and Outreach and Education Program of the Year.

Entrance sign for California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, surrounded by trees and landscaping on a sunny day.

Cal Poly campus dining wins national recognition

Cal Poly Campus Dining joined college and university dining teams from across the country this month as they were recognized for excellence in student-centered food service, by the National Association of College &amp; University Food Services (NACUFS).



Cal Poly was awarded with two Grand Prizes during NACUFS’ 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards National Conference in Salt Lake City on July 11.



“This recognition is a testament to the commitment this team has to providing our students with best-in-class dining experiences and our constant evolution as dining program,” said Andrea Burns, Cal Poly Partners’ associate executive director of Commercial Services. “It inspires us to continue to learn, grow and adapt with the changing dining trends and work to keep exceeding expectations.”



The grand prizes were for Innovative Dining Program of the Year and Outreach and Education Program of the year.



The Innovative Dining Program of the Year award encompassed Cal Poly Campus Dining as a whole. This included its more than 40 unique dining platforms, mobile food trucks, concessions and catering operations, as well as the 800 employees who help it run.



The program provides a blend of local favorites such as Jewel of India, Sequel Tea, Plant Ivy and Scout Coffee with national brands like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Panda Express and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Additional features — such as a dedicated on-site registered dietitian, an award-winning sustainability program and consistent community outreach endeavors — set the program apart.



The second grand prize, Outreach and Education Program of the Year, centered around the on-campus Self-Care Fair that Campus Dining hosted last December and created a space for students to relax and de-stress during final-exams week. Participants were invited to unwind with massage therapists, enjoy food and beverages and engage in interactive activities such as candle painting, a tea-making station and more.



Cal Poly was recognized alongside dining programs from Boston College, Duke University, University of Florida, University of Pittsburgh and the University of Texas.



“These awards celebrate the people and programs shaping the future of collegiate dining,” said Robert Nelson, NACUFS president and CEO. “From sustainability to nutrition to innovation, our members are building stronger, more responsive foodservice communities that reflect the evolving needs of today’s students.”



Earlier in June Cal Poly earned four NACUFS awards, including gold for Innovative Dining Program of the Year and Outreach and Education Program of the year, silver for Renovation of the Year and an honorable mention for Residential Special Event of the Year.



The two gold awards led to this month’s grand prizes.



These results showcase the enormous strides taken in modernizing the brand in recent years, as well as behind-the-scenes innovation and dedication to make Cal Poly Campus Dining one of the premier dining programs in the country.



Cal Poly Campus Dining is a program of Cal Poly Partners, the university’s non-profit auxiliary and partner in campus services and enhancing the student experience.



To learn more about the NACUFS awards programs and view the full list of winners, visit <a href="https://www.nacufs.org/membership/awards-gallery/">https://www.nacufs.org/membership/awards-gallery/</a>.

Group of Cal Poly staff members standing together inside a modern dining hall, holding awards and certificates while smiling for a photo.

Cal Poly Campus Dining Honored with Two Grand Prize Awards from the National Association of College and University Food Services

This past month – the last of 2024-25 C.A.R.E I.S. – Cal Poly Partners staff wrapped up the inaugural year of the campaign with another outpouring of recognition and appreciation of fellow colleagues from across campus.



“Roberto (Rodriguez)&nbsp;has been a wonderful addition to the Sponsored Programs team both personally and professionally. He is always thoughtful and considerate of his coworkers and leads each day heart forward. At the CP Partners End of Year Celebration, Roberto won the highly sought raffle prize of Disneyland tickets, in which he gifted his prize to a fellow team member in Sponsored Programs. While this is one vivid example of how Roberto interacts with his team, it is a true reflection of his kindness every day. Thank you, Roberto, for being you!!!” – Julia Mena&nbsp;



“Maya’s (Orth)&nbsp;ability to take someone’s requests and thoughts and put them into action is admirable. Oftentimes, when she’s called to action, she has to dissect and interpret the requests and bring forth data and solutions. She usually exceeds expectations, showcasing her intelligence, technical knowledge, and ability to create human connection and understanding. She’s always respectful, continually collaborative, exceedingly innovation, and supportive beyond measure. She’s not only one of my favorite colleagues, but she really is a cornerstone of Cal Poly Partners systems and operations.” – Jennifer Luedtke



“Star Ferrer Green&nbsp;is such a kind and thoughtful teammate, always treating others with genuine respect. Thank you for spoiling the Employee Shared Service Center crew with treats. This is such a thoughtful gesture that brightens everyone’s day!



I truly appreciate all that you do for the Payroll Team, especially your eagerness to learn and grow. I want to give you a special shout-out for maintaining the ASI process documentation up to date and asking thoughtful questions whenever something needs clarification.



Payroll is lucky to have you on the team!” – Maria Lopez-Pacheco



“Julia (Mena)&nbsp;has been working hard on the integration of the grants module in Workday. She has spent countless hours in meetings and helping to build the new system all the while still doing her regular job duties. She is always the first to step up and offer to help anyone. We would be lost without her.” – Stephany Martin



“Where do I even start,&nbsp;Natalia (Draude)&nbsp;is always on it!Whenever there’s a process to analyze or a discrepancy to troubleshoot, Natalia is more than happy to jump in and get her hands dirty, especially when it comes to numbers 🙂 In the process of launching Workday, she has been very in tune with the needs of (the Office of) Research and is a wealth of accounting knowledge.Thank you for all your support over the years, Natalia – so grateful to work with you!” – Julia Mena



“Marie (Fidel)&nbsp;is one of the most considerate and selfless individuals I’ve had the pleasure of working with. She consistently prioritizes the needs of others and brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Her contributions make her an invaluable asset.



Thank you, Marie, for all that you do and for helping make Cal Poly Partners such a wonderful place to work.” – Melissa Fritzen



“Gwenn (Krossa)&nbsp;has been a key asset to the build out of the grants module in Workday. Her perspective and feedback have been crucial to getting our new system up and running. Her expertise and time spent on this project is appreciated.” – Stephany Martin



“Watching&nbsp;Holly (Clark)&nbsp;put in all the work that goes into a board meeting makes you appreciate how accountable and supportive she is to make it all happen. It would not happen without her, and that fact is clear. Her detailed execution ensured a smooth meeting, while everyone around her is asking her for help and coordination. She kept her cool and delivered on every ask. I greatly appreciate her efforts, and I hope others see it too.” – Jennifer Luedtke



“Melissa (Fritzen)&nbsp;greets every inquiry with a smile and is a joy to work with. She is attentive to the needs of her colleagues, no matter how big or small, and has great follow up communication. Melissa has also been a great collaborator in streamlining our inter-office processes. It’s always reassuring to have a smiling face on the other end – thank you from the Sponsored Programs team!” – Julia Mena



Congratulations to all the nominees, they will be entered into the grand prize raffle.



Thank you to all Cal Poly Partner staff who participated and shared recognitions of fellow colleagues throughout the last seven months.



C.A.R.E. I.S. will continue during the 2025-26 year. Look for the call for recognitions to begin again in September.



There are plenty of ways that Cal Poly Partners staff can continue to recognize their colleagues throughout the year. Zoom backgrounds, flyers, posters and e-cards are available on the&nbsp;<a href="https://cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResourcesCPP/SitePages/C.A.R.E.-I.S.aspx">Partners’ SharePoint</a>&nbsp;and can be easily sent to colleagues to share appreciation. There is no reason to wait till September, let your colleague know how you feel any day of the week.&nbsp;

Graphic with the text “C.A.R.E. I.S. our culture in action” in bold green letters on a yellow background, with icons representing values such as collaboration, respect, and support along the bottom.

The Last 2024-25 C.A.R.E I.S. Recognitions Are In

One of downtown San Luis Obispo’s largest vacant spaces is boarded up as construction work finally gets underway to transform it for a new tenant: Cal Poly.



The 24,500-square-foot two-level space will also be the new home of the university’s Center for Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship, which through its HotHouse helps students and community members as they workshop business ideas and pursue startups.

Street corner view of a vacant brick building with white-covered windows and construction barriers along Chorro Street in downtown San Luis Obispo, California.

Prominent SLO building is being transformed into Cal Poly’s new downtown home

Justin Chan, the founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sequeltea.com/">Sequel Tea</a>, created a system for his company’s boba drinks: every single component is measured down to the gram. When he sells drinks to customers, proportionality and consistent quality are his top priorities.&nbsp;



“Every single boba shop employee that has worked at Sequel has accounted for the meticulousness to the system,” Chan said. “That level of precision, even when people don’t follow, will still remain a level of standard.”



Now, Sequel Tea is establishing its second storefront right on Cal Poly’s campus. Sequel Tea will replace the Starbucks at Campus Market in September, according to Kassidy Church, marketing communications manager for Cal Poly Partners. The storefront transition will begin after commencement.

Two Starbucks employees stand behind the counter serving a customer inside a Starbucks café, with the illuminated menu and “Starbucks Coffee” sign visible above.

Sequel Tea to replace Campus Market Starbucks next fall 

The National Association of College &amp; University Food Services (NACUFS) announced the winners of its 2025 Loyal E. Horton Dining, Nutrition and Sustainability Awards Tuesday. Campus dining programs around the U.S. were recognized with gold, silver, and bronze awards in a multitude of categories, including menu innovation, employee development, catering, retail sales, nutrition and sustainability.



Awardees were recognized in about 20 categories and at several levels within each. For Innovative Dining Program of the Year, both California Polytechnic State University and University of Mississippi garnered the gold, while the gold for Residential Dining Facility of the Year went to Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Miami and University of Pittsburgh.



Cal Poly also topped the list for Outreach &amp; Education Program of the Year, joined for the gold by University of California-Merced.

A group of smiling kitchen staff members pose together with a university mascot dressed in green and orange, wearing a “Hurricanes” hat, inside a brightly lit dining facility.