page

Cal Poly Partners

<div class="wp-block-group intro-text has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained">
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>.
</div>

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

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.

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&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nacufs.org/Membership/Awards/Awards-Gallery-2025">www.NACUFS.org/Membership/Awards/Awards-Gallery-2025</a>.&nbsp;

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;

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.

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.

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.

National Association of College & University Food Services recognizes campus dining programs around the U.S.

As a show of support for supportive colleagues, this past month Cal Poly Partners staff offered the most C.A.R.E. I.S recognitions to date, ranging from creating a welcoming and respectful environment to stepping up to help no matter how busy they may be.



Throughout the year Cal Poly Partner’s ongoing culture campaign, C.A.R.E. I.S., will continue to celebrate colleagues and staff who truly show and represent the organization’s core values with monthly recognitions.



During the month of May Cal Poly Partners staff were invited to recognize colleagues who demonstrate the months Cultural Descriptor: Supportive.



A supportive culture places value on the well-being and success of its members and acknowledges and supports individual needs. It creates an environment where people feel heard, valued, and empowered, leading to stronger social connections and increased resilience.



“As the director of a busy Center,&nbsp;Gerald’s (Holmes)&nbsp;calendar is often packed back-to-back with meetings. Despite having little extra time, Gerald consistently makes time for students and staff—whether it’s meeting about a senior project, helping edit a master’s thesis, or just offering encouragement. Gerald’s open-door approach is something his team feels every day.” – Alison Stevens



“Linda (Prier)&nbsp;has stepped up to support multiple functions of CPP that have not been part of her regular job duties, including Campus Dining A/R, Travel, and going above and beyond in her support of CAFES.” – Dan Banfield



“Ann (Ormonde)&nbsp;is very attentive and helpful when it comes to all things related to Cal Poly Partners travel and AR. She will take extra steps to ensure we have all we need to approve travel claims. Not only is she helpful with travel, she is also dependable and reliable for invoicing. She inputs AR invoice requests promptly making monthly invoicing more smoothly. Thanks, Ann, for all you do.” – Stephany Martin



“Kassidy (Church)&nbsp;is someone who always leads with a yes and possesses such a strong ability to be easy to work with. There have been many projects from a marketing and communication standpoint that I have needed her expertise with. Not only does she find ways to make the person she is working with feel heard, she also produces such amazing work and is always super supportive. Kassidy juggles a lot of work and always makes the person she is working with feel like they are her top priority. Thank you for always being supportive Kassidy! We greatly appreciate you.” – Russell Monteath



“Stephany (Martin)&nbsp;is very supportive whenever I need help with a project. If I ask her for help, she makes the time to show me. Thanks, Stephany for all you do and supporting me when I need it!” – Mylissa Weymer



“Nikki (Adams)&nbsp;creates a welcoming and respectful environment where I feel comfortable sharing ideas and asking for guidance. Her feedback is always constructive and thoughtful, helping me grow. Plus, I have never seen an academic advisor be more supportive of her students.” – Shira Greenbaum



“At the Strawberry Center, supporting one another is essential—but&nbsp;Collete (Smith)&nbsp;takes it to the next level. She plays a central role in strengthening every program, consistently stepping in with a collaborative spirit and a drive to move projects forward.” – Kyle Blauer



“Jill Connelly&nbsp;is a true professional and such an asset to CP Partners. Whether its questions about benefits, support services for employees, or even checking stock and supplies of vending machines at Mustang Business Park Jill is always supportive. She has an ability to make anyone working with her feel very comfortable, but also always over delivering on her work.&nbsp; Thank you Jill!” – Russell Monteath



“Rose (Avalos)&nbsp;is always supportive to everyone she works with, always going above and beyond to ensure they feel heard and understood.&nbsp; Whenever an employee raises a payroll concern, she responds promptly, thoughtfully analyzes the situation, and takes swift action – providing reassurance and clarity every step of the way. Thank you Rose, for your continued dedication to ensuring CPP staff are paid accurately and on time. Your openness to new ideas and your support in any situation do not go unnoticed. CPP is truly fortunate to have you, and I’m personally grateful for all that you do!” – Maria Lopez-Pacheco



“Ali (Stevens)&nbsp;is one of the most supportive people I’ve ever met, both in and out of the workplace. She checks in with me regularly to make sure I’m not feeling overwhelmed and is always quick to offer help or take something off my plate when she sees I need it. She’s created such a warm, welcoming environment that makes it easy to do my best work. I couldn’t ask for a better supervisor. We work closely together every day and it’s one of the main reasons I’m excited to come into work. Whether tackling a big project or handling day-to-day operations, her support and collaboration makes a huge difference. She leads with empathy and kindness. Ali doesn’t just support the work, but she supports me as a person. I find that to be rare in the workplace, and I feel incredibly lucky to work with her! Everyone needs an Ali in their lives!” – Collette Smith



“Ann (Ormonde)&nbsp;was extremely helpful when filling out my travel claim. It was my first time filling one out and I was a bit confused, so I emailed Ann for guidance. She was quick to respond and answered all my questions. She was very supportive, kind and made it easy to understand going forward. I know Ann has helped our team in the past, so we are all extremely grateful for her! Thank you, Ann, for your continued support! – Kassidy Church



“Vanissa (Salinas)&nbsp;supports CP Partners with her exceptional talent acquisition skills, helping to attract qualified candidates for our benefited positions. She listens carefully to department needs and ensures a seamless process for both hiring managers and candidates. We’re lucky to have her expertise enhancing our team! – Jill Connelly



“Kyle (Blauer)&nbsp;has an exceptional ability to recognize what needs to be done and never hesitates to roll up his sleeves and dive in. He consistently anticipates needs and, even when juggling a full workload, always steps up to ensure things get accomplished. His strong team spirit is not only inspiring but also plays a big role in creating a fun, collaborative and highly productive work environment.” – Gerald Holmes



“Thank you,&nbsp;Matt (Ryan), for your unwavering support and encouragement. I truly appreciate knowing I can always count on you—whether it’s navigating the Workday project, tackling Month End, or handling unexpected challenges. Your willingness to help, no matter the issue or question, makes me feel heard, supported, and valued.” – Maria Lopez-Pacheco



“Every time I have asked for assistance with a project I am working on, and I call to ask for help he (Russell Monteath) shows up and jumps in to assist in getting the project completed on-time. I have never been hesitant in asking him for support, as he will always be there for you when needed. I don’t think there is a more supportive, helpful and kind person that I have worked with on campus.” – Bryan Lloyd



“Cory Lund&nbsp;provides our department with support in so many ways it’s difficult to list. From oversight of the ESSC to processing check requests and invoices to chasing down mysteries ripe for solving. Recently, Cory has had to handhold a couple of important projects and the billing involved to ensure compliance and timely payments. These items would not have happened without her attention to detail and willingness to follow up when something isn’t happening the way it should. She does this all while supporting the rest of the HR team when and where they need it.” – Jennifer Luedtke



“Natalia (Draude), I can’t fully express how grateful I am for all your support and guidance with my Tax and GL questions. I’m especially thankful for your help during Tax Quarter return reconciliations—your patience and willingness to walk me through everything means so much. I’m truly grateful for you!” – Maria Lopez-Pacheco



“Megan (Stoneson)&nbsp;is the definition of supportive! She always says yes to helping out even when it is a last-minute crunch. She has saved my PowerPoints at least a dozen times from looking awful (and usually last-minute) and I can’t thank her enough for all her help. She is the only full-time designer on our team, so we lean on her a lot, but she never makes us feel like a bother. She is always excited and very willing to help where she can. I absolutely love working with Megan and I want to thank her for always being supportive! You rock Megan!!!” – Kassidy Church



“Sam (Simard)&nbsp;plays a critical role in supporting the operations of the Pathology Lab and leading field research projects. She excels at balancing these responsibilities, ensuring both programs run smoothly and continue to succeed.” – Kyle Blauer



“Stephany (Martin)&nbsp;is always such a wonderful supporter of our Upward Bound program. She is very knowledgeable about our grant, quick to help us find solutions when an obstacle arises, and she is very approachable when we have a question or concern. We are so glad to have her as a colleague!” – Melissa Zanzi



“I asked for assistance with my P-Card, and she&nbsp;(Chelsea Poodry)&nbsp;was very busy answering phones, talking with students and coworkers about dining services issues, but she still managed to continue to assist me, and all of the others and keep a very large smile on her face! She is always willing to assist whenever she is asked, thank you!” – Bryan Lloyd



“Alison (Stevens)&nbsp;is able to see the forest and the trees. She understands the big picture and how that is playing out at the individual level then works to support individuals such that the organization achieves its mission.&nbsp; This is a rare trait and one that is so critical to the smooth and effective functioning of an organization. How fortunate we are to have Alison on our team!” – Gerald Holmes



Congratulations to all the nominees, they will be entered into a raffle for a prize at the end of the academic year.



Next month – June – is the last of our ongoing culture campaign, C.A.R.E. I.S. Throughout June we want to celebrate all our colleagues who truly show and represent our core values Collaborative, Accountable, Respectful, Engaging, Innovative, and Supportive.



So, this month let’s end with the most recognitions of all.



<a href="https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2wING578lUSVNx03nMoq5-wLRg3sE1NJpCWpJv48bEVUODA1OThQM0xMOElKVU1BT1RNWVUzS1kzVy4u">Start recognizing your collaborative, accountable, respectful, engaging, innovative or supportive colleagues today</a>



Creating culture is an ongoing task that we all participate in and benefit from, and we look forward to you joining us as we foster a thriving, more engaged workplace.



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

C.A.R.E I.S. Supportive Recognitions Are In

Cal Poly Partners Plaza — the 14,200-square-foot hospitality area at the university’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium — received two awards by the American Society of Civil Engineers San Luis Obispo Branch.



The three-tiered pavilion on the north end of the stadium received the ASCE branch’s Outstanding Community Improvement Project award for its significant enhancements to the community and honored as the Outstanding Urban or Land Development Project for providing value and benefit.



“Thanks to the foresight of so many people this project has become such an asset to Cal Poly and the community and will continue to meet future needs whether offering great concessions for commencement or concerts or as a community gathering space,” said Cody VanDorn, Cal Poly Partners CEO. “We’re just pleased to be doing our part to enhance the Cal Poly experience for everyone.”



Cal Poly Partners — the university’s nonprofit auxiliary — worked with Wallace Group on the civil engineering, Maino Construction and Ten Over Studio, all based in San Luis Obispo, to transform the formerly unused and restricted space into a vibrant, multilevel plaza featuring concessions, a turf play and picnic area, and landscaped pathways.



The walkways provide Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant access to all levels of the plaza and connect the home and visitor’s sides of the stadium with O’Neill Green, a parklike area north of the stadium. The project also includes new ADA parking spaces on California Blvd adjacent to the site.



The plaza opened last fall and not only offers a continuous connection to football and soccer action on the field throughout games but is also a community gathering space during the week.



Moreover, the plaza provides a significant upgrade to stadium concession offerings. All game attendees have access to two different culinary and beverage venues, and a standalone drink concession. The large picnic area, available to game attendees, also provides space to run around — a popular feature for young Mustang athletics fans.



During the academic year, the food, seating and picnic areas are open Monday through Thursday as another place for Cal Poly community members to gather and eat on the westside of campus.



With exclusive, private hospitality spaces, customizable catering and beverage service, Cal Poly Partners Plaza offers a turnkey VIP experience for company picnics and employee or corporate events.



Each year the ASCE San Luis Obispo branch, one of seven comprising the Los Angeles Section of the organization, recognizes outstanding achievements in civil engineering. These awards&nbsp;honor individual contributions and project excellence, celebrating the accomplishments of local civil engineers and construction professionals.&nbsp;



The awards will be given out during the ASCE SLO Branch 2025 Awards and Scholarships Event at the Madonna Inn on Thursday, May 15.



Following the ceremony, ASCE SLO Branch will submit the plaza project and other local award winners to compete at the L.A. Section level, one of four sections that make up ASCE Region 9, which covers the entire state. Stay tuned for updates.

Plaza Recognized as an Outstanding Project

This past March Cal Poly Partners staff learned just how engaging their colleagues are as the&nbsp;<a href="https://cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResourcesCPP/SitePages/C.A.R.E.-I.S.aspx">C.A.R.E I.S.</a>&nbsp;recognitions came pouring in.



Throughout the year Cal Poly Partner’s ongoing culture campaign, C.A.R.E. I.S., will continue to celebrate colleagues and staff who truly show and represent the organization’s core values with monthly recognitions.



During the month of March Cal Poly Partners staff were invited to recognize colleagues who demonstrate the months Cultural Descriptor: Engaging.



An engaging culture fosters an environment where individuals actively participate, contribute and collaborate. It promotes inclusivity, active involvement, and curiosity.



“Every time I have worked with&nbsp;Jenn (Michels)&nbsp;she has brought so much to the table. Be it the knowledge, and expertise that she has in her role or the way that she offers suggestions and feedback when meeting to discuss the implementation of a comprehensive plan or simple question, she is always present and engaged in the conversation and ready to help.” – Aaron Lambert



“With every meeting and interaction,&nbsp;Ellen (Curtis)&nbsp;is engaging to say the least! Something specific I noticed recently was that in student meetings, Ellen makes sure to not glide past students’ comments. If a topic arises, Ellen asks questions, takes verbal surveys, and opens up curiosity to how students feel and perceive things on campus. It’s much appreciated, as that level of intentionality towards being engaging creates for innovation and positivity in our whole MarCom team.” – Megan Stoneson



“Crystal (Castillo)&nbsp;is always ready to embrace people’s backgrounds to make sure everyone is comfortable and included. She is engaging with her coworkers as well as the many students she interacts with through outreach work.” – Shira Greenbaum



“Tiffany Kramlich&nbsp;does a fantastic job of keeping our team informed of campus initiatives and changes, seeking our thoughts and views. She ensures we work on things we find interesting and valuable to our own goals. Tiffany is adept at listening to concerns and keeping an open mind, especially when someone may be struggling. I find it impressive when she’s able to get conversations back on a productive and meaningful path. She is always open to our team sharing their expertise and knowledge to solve new and old issues as they arise.” – Jennifer Luedtke



“Rose (Avalos)&nbsp;helps me navigate all matters concerning payroll; and I ask her to help me out quite often.&nbsp; She is always quick to help me when I am confused about something, or if I made a mistake.&nbsp; Rose is a very gracious team-member and quite engaging.” – Sydney Anthoni



“She&nbsp;(Melanie Bélanger)&nbsp;was describing new pictures that she had ordered for Panda, and she described them so detailed that in your mind you could actually picture what they were going to look like when they were installed on the wall.” – Bryan Lloyd



“Megan (Stoneson)&nbsp;is a delight to work with because she includes everyone in the conversation and wants to hear from others. When working in a group or during a meeting, Megan is always empathetic and shows understanding for others’ perspectives. She also offers positive constructive feedback for the students with the goal to make them better in their future. We can all learn to be more engaging from Megan! – Kassidy Church



“Mohammad (Amir Aghaee)&nbsp;always has something to share. His knowledge of history and philosophy as well as his love for all types of food make him a great conversationalist. He has such a wide variety of interests that there is always something interesting for him to share, regardless of the situation. This is a great contribution to the workplace, making the Strawberry Center a more interesting place to work.” – Gerald Holmes



“One of the first things I noticed about&nbsp;Dawn (Ventura)&nbsp;was how engaging she is! With every interaction and meeting, she brings a sense of joy and life to it. When leading team projects, she makes sure to include and engage everyone present.” – Megan Stoneson



“Erin (Scherer)&nbsp;applies herself 100% to all opportunities that come her way.&nbsp; With her can-do approach, Erin has gained the confidence of many stakeholders on campus earning the Conference and Event Planning team the event management contracts for Mustang Madness, Rodeo, Commencement and year-round support of Athletic events.&nbsp; When Cal Maritime conference services asked for help, Erin jumped in to offer her and the team’s support on registration, collection and event settlement.&nbsp; Erin sets the example as a motivated engaged leader in Cal Poly Partners Commercial Services Division.” – Andrea Burns



“Engaging is a great word to describe&nbsp;Aaron (Lambert)! Having worked closely with Aaron for a while now, I’ve seen so many interactions between Aaron and others (team, students, stakeholders in the university) that only end in positivity and energy. He always finds a way to relate to who he’s talking to, engaging in lively interactions. His engaging spirit is much appreciated by me and many others!” – Megan Stoneson



Throughout the year and our ongoing culture campaign, C.A.R.E. I.S., we will continue to celebrate our fellow colleagues who truly show and represent our core values with these monthly recognitions.



Congratulations to all the nominees, they will be entered into a raffle for a prize at the end of the academic year.



Creating culture is an ongoing task that we all participate in and benefit from, and we look forward to you joining us as we foster a thriving, more engaged workplace. &nbsp;



The C.A.R.E I.S. descriptor for April is&nbsp;Innovative. Staff members can start nominating their innovative colleague&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2wING578lUSVNx03nMoq5-wLRg3sE1NJpCWpJv48bEVUQllFNURMVUw3RlVWSUkwWk9DMTNMMDhCTC4u">here</a>.&nbsp;



Want to share the love in other ways? Zoom backgrounds, flyers, posters and e-cards that can be easily sent to colleagues to share your appreciation for what they do are available on the&nbsp;<a href="https://cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResourcesCPP/SitePages/C.A.R.E.-I.S.aspx">Partners’ SharePoint</a>. There is no reason to wait for the monthly recognitions, let your colleague know how you feel any day of the week.&nbsp;

C.A.R.E I.S. Engaging, And So Are Partner’s Staff

Cal Poly Partners has been working to address the growing demand for local affordable housing with the recent grand opening of their faculty housing development,&nbsp;<a href="https://hesj5f3wy23f0l5rw0mrh6jsg.js.wpenginepowered.com/real-estate-development/faculty-staff-housing/harvest-lofts/">Harvest Lofts</a>.



“These are workforce housing designed to be affordable,” Dunning said. “We need to continue to enable development so we can attract the best faculty and staff to help support our awesome students, right?”

Cal Poly Partners opens Harvest Lofts to address faculty housing concerns

In February Partners staff continued to share the love and the&nbsp;<a href="https://cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResourcesCPP/SitePages/C.A.R.E.-I.S.aspx">C.A.R.E I.S.</a>&nbsp;recognitions of their Respectful colleagues.



Throughout the year Cal Poly Partner’s ongoing culture campaign, C.A.R.E. I.S., will continue to celebrate colleagues and staff who truly show and represent the organization’s core values with monthly recognitions.



&nbsp;During the month of February Cal Poly Partners staff were invited to recognize colleagues who demonstrate the months Cultural Descriptor: Respectful.



A respectful culture fosters an environment where individuals treat each other with dignity, empathy, and consideration. It promotes inclusivity, open-mindedness, and equality, leading to stronger social connections.



“Mohammad (Amir Aghaee)&nbsp;is very sensitive to others without being overly concerned, tiptoeing around every issue. He makes everyone feel like they are heard and respected for their viewpoint which leads to more openness. This goes a long way to building a cohesive team of mutual respect.” – Gerald Holmes



“Ann (Ormonde)&nbsp;is very helpful, in many areas within CPP’s AP area.&nbsp; She’s patient and kind and especially respectful.” – Sydney Anthoni



“Jill (Connelly)&nbsp;is a great listener, open to new and different perspectives. In her position as compensation and benefits manager, she is mindful to be inclusive in our total rewards offerings. She constructively debates with the broader team to establish the best practices and policies for our Cal Poly Partners community.” – Tiffany Kramlich



“Kali (Nowakowski)&nbsp;is a very respectful person and so great to work with. I consistently see her respecting others’ workload, others’ communication styles, and she is always on the lookout for how to regard others’ interests and support them. Between her clients and her teammates, Kali makes sure to keep everyone’s projects on track while caring about them as people too.” – Megan Stoneson



“Alison (Stevens)&nbsp;is warm and friendly to everyone. Her openness and genuine interest and respect for all people sets the tone for our entire organization. This creates a warm and friendly environment for all our staff and frequent visitors.&nbsp; What a difference one person can make in the overall tone of a small organization!” – Gerald Holmes



“Crystal (Castillo)&nbsp;is not only respectful but helps teach our Cal Poly student mentors to be respectful when working with high school members from diverse backgrounds.” – Shira Greenbaum



“Rose Avalos&nbsp;is one of the kindest and most patient people I’ve ever met. While she is respectful all year around, I am nominating her this month for a specific situation she handled today. She took a customer call from someone who was lost and confused and who noted they had gotten the run around already. It turned out that customer had contacted the wrong place, but Rose continued to treat the person with kindness and respect. She asked questions, actively listened, and got to the bottom of what the person truly needed. Something those they talked to before her had not done. Even though the customer had contacted the wrong place, they ended the exchange better than they started because of the patience and respect Rose showed them.” – Jennifer Luedtke



“Dan (Banfield)&nbsp;is respectful every month. Despite how technical or nuanced a financial model or budget is, Dan always takes his time and is respectful in explaining in an approachable way that makes everyone feel respected, regardless how complicated it might be.” – Jim Dunning



“Lynnette (Held)&nbsp;is often our department’s first point of contact for incoming emails, calls and requests. She interacts with people from all parts of the university, Cal Poly Partners and external contacts. She is always calm, positive and respectful. She is great at listening and solving problems, or when needed, directing them to the right person. She also brightens up our office by just being herself. We are lucky to have her on our team!” – Gwenn Krossa



“Reyna (Salgado-Pita)&nbsp;demonstrates respect in many ways. In addition to being kind, soft-spoken, and always ready to assist without hesitation, she also: Listens attentively to others without interrupting. Acknowledges and appreciates others’ contributions and ideas. Offers encouragement and support to coworkers during challenges. Maintains professionalism in all interactions. Respects boundaries by being mindful of others’ space and time. Remains patient and understanding even in stressful situations. Uses inclusive language and make everyone feel valued.” – Cristina Macedo



“Adriana (Sousa)&nbsp;is consistently respectful of others. Between her clients and her teammates, Adriana is a patient and thoughtful communicator, and often thinks of others’ interests and feelings. Time and time again Adriana has gone out of her way to care for teammates, check in on them, and she genuinely respects everyone’s importance and roles on the team.” – Megan Stoneson



“I watched her&nbsp;(Chelsea Poodry)&nbsp;working on the computer assisting me with a project, then the phone rang, and she had a student standing at her counter. She turned to the student and said one moment please, answered the phone, transferred them to another department, then assisted the student with a dining card question, and all of this with a smile on her face, and a calming voice to everyone she had contact with at that moment.” – Bryan Lloyd



“Ryan Lau&nbsp;is always respectful. Beyond her work in student advising (where her caring nature is appreciated by both co-workers and students), she volunteers her time to support people who need it most right now. She’s a total rockstar.” – Shira Greenbaum



“Megan Stoneson&nbsp;(pictured) always exemplifies respectfulness, greeting colleagues with a smile and listening attentively during meetings, making sure everyone feels heard. When communicating with team members, she treats others with care and compassion, making sure all are included. Whether it’s offering to help a teammate or giving acknowledgment to others where due, she fosters a positive and inclusive work environment through kindness and professionalism.” – Adriana Sousa



“Angela (Liane Marino)&nbsp;demonstrates respect through her willingness to assist, courteous nature, active listening, and teamwork. Additionally, she: Treats everyone with kindness and professionalism. Encourages collaboration by valuing everyone’s input. Shows patience and understanding when working with others. Communicates thoughtfully, ensuring everyone feels heard and respected. Maintains a positive attitude, helping create a respectful work environment.” – Cristina Macedo



Congratulations to all the nominees, they will be entered into a raffle for a prize at the end of the academic year.

Cal Poly Partners employee working in the office

Cal Poly Partners C.A.R.E I.S. Culture Campaign Continues with Respectful Recognitions

For the second consecutive year Cal Poly Partners has been recognized as a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.slofamilyfriendlywork.org/award">SLO Family-Friendly Workplace</a>&nbsp;for implementing family-friendly workplace policies.



This year Partners, a self-supporting nonprofit auxiliary that has provided services to the university for nearly eight decades including Campus Dining, the bookstore and faculty and staff housing, rose to the top Red Diamond level. Known as Care Conquerors, it honors organizations for their long-standing policies including 100% employer-sponsored health care coverage, a Flexible Work Policy, workplace wellness programs, dependent care flexible spending, tuition reimbursement, Employee Assistance Programs and many more.



“Every day our staff comes to work in support of the entire Cal Poly community as we all strive to enhance the campus experience for everyone,” said Tiffany Kramlich, Cal Poly Partners human resources director. “And we could not be prouder to offer everything we can in support of them. We are grateful for this recognition.”



The SLO County Family-Friendly Workplaces Award is a program of the&nbsp;<a href="https://slochamber.org/slo-chamber-announces-new-free-family-friendly-workplace-accelerator-program/">Family-Friendly Workplace Accelerator Program</a>, hosted by the&nbsp;<a href="https://slochamber.org/">San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce</a>, and sponsored by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.first5slo.org/">First 5 SLO County&nbsp;</a>and San Luis Obispo County.



The awards are for public, private and nonprofit employers of any size or industry on the Central Coast and seek to recognize and support organizations that adopt and implement family-friendly workplace practices for their employees.

Cal Poly Partners Once Again Recognized as a Family Friendly Workplace

Cal Poly is building 33 faculty and staff housing units at the corner of Slack Street and Grand Avenue, with the first units expected to be completed by fall 2025.&nbsp;



The project, called&nbsp;<a href="https://hesj5f3wy23f0l5rw0mrh6jsg.js.wpenginepowered.com/real-estate-development/faculty-staff-housing/vista-meadows/">Vista Meadows</a>, aims to improve access to employee housing and assist the university in hiring and retaining faculty and staff, according to University Spokesperson Aaron Lambert.&nbsp;

Cal Poly staff housing project underway on Grand Avenue to address housing shortages

The scent of freshly cooked food wafts as one walks through 1901 Marketplace. Tables line the wall, students are seen studying or hanging out with friends. They enjoy meals they bought from the different dining options available at this particular venue.&nbsp;



A similar atmosphere permeates Vista Grande, where many on-campus students explore what Cal Poly’s dining offers. Outside the two buildings, students line up around food trucks to find even more options.&nbsp;



Behind the scenes are student employees at the various campus dining venues. According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://dineoncampus.com/calpoly/jobs">campus dining website</a>, around 1,100 students work at the venues year-round.

Cal Poly’s dining scene from behind the counter

Cal Poly Partners staff were asked to recognize Collaborative colleagues in November to kick off the&nbsp;<a href="https://cpslo.sharepoint.com/sites/HumanResourcesCPP/SitePages/C.A.R.E.-I.S.aspx">C.A.R.E I.S.</a>&nbsp;campaign, and they came through. Staff members from across the organization from Payroll to Marine Science, Human Resources to the Strawberry Center and BioResource and Agricultural Engineering to Commercial Services were nominated this month for the many ways they work collaboratively to support their fellow colleagues.



For the rest of the academic year, as part of C.A.R.E. I.S., we will be celebrating and recognizing our colleagues who reflect our core values.



“Merrie Kay (Sterkel) is the ultimate team player who collaborates with every department to ensure the best customer service experience. She is tasked with unexpected tasks daily and is thoughtful in her execution.” – Holly Clark



“Working together on the Workday project is imperative and it has been a huge lift for the HR team. Brittany (Hardesty) has helped work through issues to assist in getting them worked out and help keep the project moving forward! Thank you!”&nbsp; – Jill Connelly



“She (Stephanie Martin) provides mentoring, training and support to our entire staff. For example, I was having difficulty getting a financial report uploaded to a federal web portal. She stopped what she was working on to come sit with me and teach me how to work through that website’s many peculiarities. She is always happy to answer questions, regardless of the fact that we are interrupting her work. She never makes us feel as though we are bothering her. She shares newly acquired knowledge via emails to our entire group or in team meetings, helping to ensure that we are all providing the best services possible to CPSU faculty.” – Julia Pierce



“How is she (Crystal Castillo) not? I couldn’t ask for a better person to work and collaborate with as we try to meet the demands of the Santa Rosa Creek Foundation while trying to provide opportunities for both Cal Poly students and students from our partner schools.” – Shira Greenbaum



“Maria (Lopez-Pacheco) is managing payroll for Cal Poly Partners and ASI. At the same time managing a Workday implementation for both Cal Poly Partners and ASI with various consultants from Cognizant. She effectively gathers input from Cal Poly Partners, ASI, Sponsored Research and Cognizant. As a result, she is successfully building a payroll system that will meet the complex compensation environment at Cal Poly Partners and ASI.” – Matt Ryan



“This month and always, Kyle (Blauer) looks for ways to facilitate getting things done by working collaboratively with others inside and outside our organization.” – Gerald Holmes



“Russell (Monteath) is consistently the first to lend a helping hand and offer solutions. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with him on launching the new Terrace area for Cal Poly Partners Plaza, including the ribbon-cutting ceremony. As we continue to develop this space within Spanos Stadium, we’ve encountered challenges in optimizing its use on game days. Russell has been at the forefront, spearheading our efforts to enhance efficiency in the area. Working with him is a pleasure, and I truly value his partnership.” – Erin Scherer



“We have been creating a new website and Kassidy (Church) has been driving the bus and making sure everything is done on time. She has been great at taking notes and is always open to me randomly showing up at her office door multiple times a day with questions and clarifications. And she always seems genuinely happy to see me and help.” – Aaron Lambert



“He (Dr. Stuart W. Styles) is fair with all staff. He always has so much stuff and work to do, at the same time he never pushes or rushes staff.” – Fatemeh Nayebloie&nbsp;



“Even though she (Sarah Carney May) had to work multiple weekends in a row, Sarah volunteered her time to help with the Cal Poly Pier Open House. She got there extra early to help with set up and I couldn’t have done it without her. In addition, she got Bailey College Ambassadors to volunteer their time and they were extremely helpful too!” – Shira Greenbaum



“Working together on the Workday project is imperative and it has been a huge lift for the HR team. Jen (Luedtke) has collaboratively helped work through issues to help keep the project moving forward! Thank you!” – Jill Connelly



“I have never seen Merrie Kay (Sterkel) not step up to help anyone with anything. From her excellent customer service to students, faculty, staff and even lost parents to the intuitive way she interacts with her fellow employees at CPP. Merrie Kay never steps away from a challenge, nor does she fail to go the extra step to help anyone that needs her assistance. She is always trying to streamline workflow in the office where she can and keeps an upbeat, friendly demeanor while doing so. She has handled uncomfortable tasks that not many see; I have personally watched her hand an employee their final check due to their layoff with the utmost respect, dignity and empathy, then go into her office and cry because she feels such sorrow for the predicament that person now finds themself in.



She is so much more than a lead cashier; she is quite the CPP goodwill and spirit ambassador.” – Ann Ormonde



“Melissa (Fritzen) patiently worked with me to make sure we are set up with the credit card machines we need for the annual Cal Poly Pier Open House. She met with me prior to the event to make sure I knew how to use the machines and then again after to make sure the forms were properly filled out and submitted to get the money to the right place.” – Shira Greenbaum&nbsp;



“Megan (Stoneson) also helped push the CEP website forward with her collaboration. She worked with the copywriter and mocked up the whole site for the web developer to build. She happily made any modifications the team suggested and worked closely with everyone to ensure the site aligned with the vision of CEP. Megan thrives in collaboration, and I love working on projects with her. Thank you, Megan!” – Kassidy Church



“Brian (Chenoweth) was another piece to our CEP website puzzle. He worked with the copywriter and designer to build the website from scratch – a huge task! He continually made edits from team members and brought ideas on how something would work better. He participated in every meeting from the beginning stage to the end. I appreciate his collaborative efforts on this project and helping push it forward!” – Kassidy Church



“Russell (Monteath) is a key liaison for Campus Dining and in his unique role, he bridges initiatives involving Campus Dining, Cal Poly Partners and many university departments. Examples are working with basic needs to provide a vehicle for food bank pick up at Trader Joe’s in Arroyo Grande, working with ASI to coordinate the Partners’ participation in board meetings, and working with the state health department to coordinate the annual health inspection. Russell collaborated with CEP, athletics, and Campus Dining to establish a ticketing plan for Partners Plaza and he was instrumental in operationalizing the space for opening in September. Russell’s mindset is ‘find a way to yes’.” – Andrea Burns&nbsp;



“Aaron (Lambert) has worked with our team collaboratively to build the new CEP website. He has written a ton of copy for the new site working closely with the graphic designer on how the copy would best look on the website as well as the web developer on how we get it on the site. This led to many rewrites, but Aaron welcomed them. Aaron’s collaboration has pushed this project forward and I am very appreciative of him!” – Kassidy Church



Congratulations to all the nominees, they will be entered into a raffle for a prize at the end of the academic year. Creating culture is an ongoing task that we all participate in and benefit from, and we look forward to you joining us as we foster a thriving, more engaged workplace. &nbsp;



The C.A.R.E I.S. descriptor for December is&nbsp;Accountable. Staff members can start nominating their accountable colleague&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=2wING578lUSVNx03nMoq51KV6o8h4pVMrvH44AXqFL1UMzk4Nk82M0dXSDNFTDVKTUFYS1dLVkxYTSQlQCN0PWcu">here</a>.&nbsp;

C.A.R.E I.S. November Recognitions Are In

Cal Poly Partner’s Marketing and Communications Department recently took home 11 international MarCom awards for programs, campaigns, branding and materials promoting outstanding collaborations and initiatives performed by the Cal Poly International Center, Kennedy Library Transformation, Administration and Finance, Public Safety and Partners.



MarCom Awards is one of the world’s oldest, largest and most respected creative competitions, honoring excellence in marketing and communication. This year, there were over 6,500 entries from throughout the United States, Canada and 52 other countries.



Cal Poly Partners earned three platinum, six gold and two honorable mention awards for strategic thinking, campaign execution, website design and videos.



The team’s first platinum award was in recognition of its strategic marcom plan, which focused on re-branding the organization, building awareness of what the non-profit does and its impact and enhancing stakeholder relationships. The second platinum award went to the&nbsp;<a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/marcom/entry/cal-poly-partners-brand-launch/">Cal Poly Partners Brand Launch,</a>&nbsp;which made a transformative step to better reflect its vital role within the university community. The final platinum award went to the&nbsp;<a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/marcom/entry/go-safely-mustangs/">Go Safely, Mustangs</a>&nbsp;campaign, a comprehensive internal communication effort that seeks to establish a campus-wide “Safety Culture” through digital signage, web content, printed signs, email and social media outreach.



Gold awards were in recognition of:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/g9ulnjhhuiu512uovpa9z/Internationalization-Symposium.pdf?rlkey=tmywgwrqephm82jf76ag0mn8o&amp;st=3c34wo8k&amp;dl=0">Cal Poly Internationalization Symposium Campaign</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r4ei7sj3ioua8lzxkm6qb/Study-Abroad-Fair.pdf?rlkey=3pcdno2hht1vpejepeeie3bgl&amp;st=pcsl2zm2&amp;dl=0">Cal Poly Study Abroad Fair Campaign</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/keoseoyhex44i9ih7sioh/Cal-Poly-International-Center-Returnee-Week.pdf?rlkey=ezo7ht5rczkbxtszyd4yk50sk&amp;st=gso94z4m&amp;dl=0">Cal Poly International Center Returnee Week Campaign</a></li>



<li><a href="https://vimeo.com/1014562915">Partners For 80 Years video</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/maqv8td546g24ldc1mc8f/Kennedy-Library-Strategic-Communication-Plan.pdf?rlkey=p08azb3urycicjf1qlz86cny8&amp;st=6pf2w8za&amp;dl=0">Kennedy Library Transformation Strategic Communication Plan</a></li>



<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/u697w99i8lsn8on44foa8/Cal-Poly-Partners-Identity-Guidelines.pdf?rlkey=kri38mg6p308j1fw1hbf7cxf3&amp;st=2ayhzk06&amp;dl=0">Cal Poly Partners Identity Guidelines</a></li>
</ul>



Honorable Mention awards were in recognition of:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://vimeo.com/953253870">Cal Poly Partners Annual Impact Report video</a></li>



<li><a href="https://hesj5f3wy23f0l5rw0mrh6jsg.js.wpenginepowered.com/">Cal Poly Partners Website</a></li>
</ul>



To view all the 2024 MarCom winners, visit: <a href="https://enter.amcpros.com/marcom/winners/">https://enter.amcpros.com/marcom/winners/</a>