Liz Thompson: A Champion for Students and a Legacy of Giving

For three decades, industrial engineering Professor Liz Thompson has been a force for change at Cal Poly, reshaping how engineering is taught and experienced.

Since 1993, she has spent 14,000 hours in the classroom, teaching 8,700 students. “That’s a lot of time spent with students, and it still amazes me,” Thompson said, her voice thick with emotion. “Hearing from students — particularly as I’ve been reconnecting with alumni — has reminded me how much this work has meant.”

She has written 65 papers, navigated dyslexia to publish widely, and led research focused on equity in engineering education. But for Thompson, her greatest impact isn’t measured in numbers — it’s in the lives she’s touched, the students she’s supported and the values she’s instilled in the next generation.

“I believe in students,” said Thompson, who also serves as director of the General Engineering program. “I want them to have choices in their lives, especially those from historically marginalized groups in engineering. No one should feel excluded from this field.”

As she prepares to step away from Cal Poly, Thompson is focused on the future. She’s giving back, both financially and through advocacy, to ensure that students continue to have resources and support. For her, it’s about keeping doors open.

That same philosophy of persistence and purpose has shaped her career. Whether through innovative teaching, mentorship or championing policies that foster diversity, Thompson has remained committed to breaking down barriers and expanding access.

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At the heart of Thompson’s teaching is mutual respect. She fosters a classroom culture built on shared power, awareness of students’ complex lives and a commitment to valuing all voices. Her research focuses on equitable classroom practices and blending social and technical dimensions in engineering.

“Students feel that respect,” she said. “I believe in liberation, in giving students more choice and control over their lives, especially those who have struggled to find their place.”

For industrial engineering senior Vinithra Seshan, Thompson’s mentorship has been pivotal. She first met Thompson in IME 101, where a trail mix project introduced students to the field. Later, as the first-ever student assistant for the General Engineering program, she began working closely with Thompson to build community — a role she still holds.

“Liz has been such an integral part of my life,” Seshan said. “She goes out of her way to connect students and ensure they feel supported.”

Beyond academics, Thompson’s encouragement helped Seshan gain confidence. “I was very shy coming into Cal Poly, but over time, I started opening up more and sharing with Liz,” Seshan said. “She always saw potential in me, and that changed how I saw myself.”

That lesson will stay with Seshan. “She showed me that anyone can do engineering — you don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. You just have to be yourself. And that should be enough.”

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Thompson’s commitment to students doesn’t end with teaching; it extends into giving.

As she reflects on her career, she’s chosen to make a financial contribution to the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP), which she sees as vital to students who often go unseen.

“Many of us have been privileged in our lives, and we need to think about how we use that privilege,” she said. “ESS (Engineering Student Services) offers a support system that’s often missing. I want to amplify the work they do.”

She urges others to consider how they can meaningfully support students. For Thompson, it’s not about putting her name on something but about ensuring her work continues. “I’ve poured myself into this place, and I know I’ve built something meaningful. Giving back brings my work full circle.”

Thompson’s impact extends well past the classroom. She has reshaped Cal Poly’s approach to engineering education by leading diversity committees, securing research funding, opening pathways for underrepresented students, and shifting campus culture through programs like Engineers without Borders, oSTEM and the SUSTAIN-SLO Learning initiative. Her efforts ensure that future engineers grasp both technical skills and societal impact.

Professor Dan Waldorf, chair of the Industrial and Manufacturing Department, describes her as a “true leader, influencer and advocate” who has left an indelible mark on Cal Poly. “Her commitment to student success and inclusivity has been transformative,” he said. “Her work has reshaped not just our department but the way we think about engineering as a whole.”

As Thompson prepares to step away, her influence will continue to resonate through the students, the programs she built and the values she championed.

Her parting words? “Hold unconditional positive regard for everyone, especially those you have power over. We’re all just humans trying to do the best job we can.”

It’s a lesson that will echo through the College of Engineering long after she leaves.

Call to Action: Attend the IME All-Year Reunion!

Join alumni, current students and faculty in celebrating Liz Thompson’s contributions — and reconnect with the Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering community — at the upcoming IME All-Year Reunion. Learn more and register here.