Over the past few years, our Cal Poly Engineering community has strongly embraced a commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.  It is a core part of our mission to provide equitable access to a Cal Poly education for all Californians and provide the diverse and ready day one workforce that our state and country are demanding. We embrace a continuous improvement process as we constantly strive to create an inclusive environment where all our students can reach their highest potential.

As I meet with alumni, parents, students, corporate partners and members of our community, I am frequently asked about what specific actions Cal Poly Engineering is taking to promote justice,  equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our culture, structures and systems. Some of the actions that we are currently undertaking as a college are actions to improve and expand our recruiting for students from all backgrounds, to remove systemic barriers to graduation for our transfer students, to include a curricular focus on how decisions that we make as engineers impact society, and to listen to the voices of our students, faculty and staff, particularly those from historically minoritized communities who have not always been true partners in the establishment of our college culture.  Please visit our college webpage on our justice, equity, diversity and inclusion actions to learn more about what we are doing. Together as a college community, we hope to fulfill our college vision for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion:

The Cal Poly College of Engineering fosters an environment based in love, empathy and respect where all are supported, energized and empowered. Opportunities to contribute exist for all and a broad range of voices and experiences are necessary as we co-create our future. We are developing an inclusive community where everyone can be their own unique selves.

This edition of Engineering Advantage highlights actions taken by students, faculty, alumni, and donors working together to change our world.  You will read about students like aerospace engineering student Alex Fung, who, after a tragic accident left him in a wheelchair, now fights for accessibility for all, and Javier Guerra, a mechanical engineering student who helped a fellow veteran and beekeeper after losing his legs during his last combat tour.

As an exciting new addition, many of our features have accompanying videos that further the storylines and visually showcase our Learn by Doing approach. Keep an eye out for the QR codes throughout this edition.

I am grateful for all the people and programs that allow us to fill Engineering Advantage with such noteworthy stories. And I am thankful for your interest in the College of Engineering. As one community, we can create a significant impact, and I am thankful we are broadening representation and amplifying voices in our community to create a better future together.  I urge all of us to heed a call to address systemic issues of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion by taking specific and meaningful action.