Diversity and Inclusion

Building a more just and equitable Cal Poly community.

We believe every person has the right to feel welcomed, respected and valued at Cal Poly. Together with our campus partners, Student Affairs aims to create campus communities that reflects the diverse population of our state, and provide equity, access and opportunities for all students, faculty and staff.

Growing and Expanding Spaces

The number of cultural and identity-based spaces has increased provide holistic support to students through academic support, self-empowerment, community-building and engagement. In the past few years, we have opened or expanded: 

• Opened a new location for the Center for Military-Connected Students with indoor and outdoor study space, new computers, free printing and a bigger food pantry.
• Opened Latine/x Center for Academic Success and Achievement (La CASA) in the Science Building (No. 52), including an accessible computer lab and lounge space for workshops and collaborating programming.
• Opened a new Multi-Cultural Center space on the first floor of the University Union.
• Expanded the Pride Center space on the second floor of the University Union.
• Opened the Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center (NAICC), which offers numerous opportunities for relaxation and engagement, while improving students’ academic, social, and cultural experiences.
• A grand opening will be held in fall 2024 for a Guardian Scholars Center to provide more support to students who have experienced foster care.

Student Success Center

Student Affairs received two major gifts totaling about $30 million toward a transformational new facility that will expand career and professional development opportunities.

The Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Success Center will feature an expanded Career Services Center and other programming to more effectively connect students to the resources they need to thrive personally and professionally. Learn more about the plans.

"Seeing this center come to fruition and hearing the campus responses has been exciting and enthralling. The campus at large has welcomed NAICC with open arms."

— Cheryl Flores, 2022 Cal Poly graduate and Coordinator for the Native American and Indigenous Cultural Center

Fostering Student Engagement

Student Diversity and Belonging is a collection of eight campus resource centers that create a Cal Poly experience rooted in equity and holistic support for students.

Programs include PolyCultural Weekend (PCW), which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024. The annual, student-organized event showcases the available resources and support offered at Cal Poly for prospective, underrepresented students. Over three days and two nights, prospective students are partnered a host from one of Cal Poly’s cultural organizations to learn about Cal Poly’s cultural community, build a bond and create a sense of familiarity.

For incoming students in the fall, Student Diversity and Belonging offers CORE (Creating Opportunities for Representative Engagement). The program, which takes place before Week of Welcome (WOW), connects connecting underrepresented students to the resources, community and connections that will kickstart their leadership journey at Cal Poly.

During WOW, students can opt into the Cross-Cultural Experience, which includes fun activities, workshops, discussions, and a multicultural resource fair that centers the voices of underrepresented students at Cal Poly and connects them to resources and community.