Kevin Grant, Ed.D.
Director of Assessment and Research
Dr. Kevin Grant joined Cal Poly in July of 2017 as Director of Assessment and Research for Student Affairs. Dr. Grant heads the division-wide assessment and research practices in Student Affairs, including success measurement of strategic initiatives, mapping co-curricular learning, program review oversight, university survey development, and tracking of student learning outcomes/student engagement as they relate to student success. In addition to his work in Student Affairs Assessment and Research, he also serves as a lecturer with the HECSA Program.
With over 20 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Grant specializes in student affairs assessment, strategic planning, program development, and academic student support. Dr. Grant serves as Executive Director for WITH US: The Center for Bystander Intervention at Cal Poly (withus.org) and oversees the National College Student Bystander Intervention Study (NCSBIS). This national study explores bystander behaviors and barriers amongst college students within the areas of Sexual Violence, Incidents of Hate & Bias, Hazing, and Alcohol and Drug Misuse/Abuse.
Dr. Grant is a regular presenter within WSCUC Educational Programs and serves as Assessment Leadership Academy faculty and program mentor. Within NASPA, he is the national co-chair for the Assessment, Evaluation and Research Knowledge Community and has been the recipient of the NASPA Research Grant. He has taught/presented internationally, and works with various universities consulting on student affairs assessment.
Dr. Grant received his B.A. in Cinema Media Arts from Biola University, M.Ed. in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University, and Ed.D. from Biola University in Higher Education Administration. He lives on a small ranch in Atascadero, CA with his wife and three teenage kids, and enjoys hiking, camping, playing guitars, horticulture, coaching local youth sports, and caring for all the animals on “the Granch.”
Tessa Espinoza, M.Ed.
Senior Director of Strategy and Engagement
Tessa Espinoza joined Cal Poly in February of 2008 and currently works as the Senior Director of Strategy and Engagement for Student Affairs. Tessa directs the university’s engagement strategy for Cal Poly parents and supporters through Parent and Family Programs, including oversight of the 24-member Parent Advisory Council. She also directs bi-annual commencement exercises, including all university and cultural ceremonies. Through these programs, she directs the largest annual public events at Cal Poly, hosting more than 70,000 supporters and alumni annually. Tessa also heads division-wide stewardship, external engagement, and grant funding research efforts.
Tessa bring nearly 20 years of professional experience specializing in public relations, communications, marketing, strategic planning, management, and program development, with 13 years focused exclusively in higher education Student Affairs. Prior to joining Cal Poly, Tessa served as a business operations manager for a privately-owned real estate firm. During her time at Cal Poly, she has also served as a marketing and communications specialist for University Housing, managed the strategic planning efforts for the Office of the Dean of Students, and led division-wide professional development efforts.
Tessa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences and a Master of Education degree from Cal Poly. She is a Leadership SLO alumna, serves on the Board of Directors for Stand Strong in San Luis Obispo, and is a certified volunteer mediator. She lives in San Luis Obispo with her husband, Roberto, and their twins, Sonya and Isaac, and loves to play guitar, cook, and paint watercolor.
