News - Culture & Institutional Excellence - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo * Skip to Content * ? my CalPoly login * * Culture & Institutional Excellence previously the Office of University Diversity & Inclusion * About * BEACoN * Building Belonging * Campus Climate * DPN * The Collective * Hiring Guide * Resources * Student Success News Learn about CIX * Who We Are * Leadership and Staff * Student Interns * Building Belonging * Institutional Excellence Awards * Resonance * Campus Partners * News Translate News Black History Month Read Dr. Isom's Black History Month 2025 message and reflect on the power of looking back to move forward. Explore how Black history—its people, stories, and struggles—shapes our present and inspires our future. Find out more › Hispanic Heritage Month Read Dr. Isom's Statement on Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, and learn about the importance of looking back, recognizing, and learning from the strengths, strivings, and achievements of Latinx/e peoples. Find out more › APIDA Heritage Month Read Dr. Isom's Statement on APIDA Heritage Month 2024, and learn about campus events that celebrate and reflect on the history, culture, and contributions of our APIDA community. Find out more › Raquel Willis Award-winning Black Transgender Activist & Co-Founder of Transgender Week of Visibility and Action Raquel Willis will share excerpts from her book "The Risk It Takes To Bloom." Find out more › STANDING WITH OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY Read OUDI's Statement in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community and learn about inclusive programming and guidance offered by campus entities.    Find out more › Women's History Month  Read OUDI's Statement on Women's History Month. This year's theme is “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion." Learn about important campus happenings throughout the month and an impactful student lead project that centers on the history of local women activists in San Luis Obispo. Find out more › Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy OUDI is proud to co-sponsor, along with the Black Academic Excellence Center , an Office of Writing and Learnin g talk by renowned academic Dr. April Baker-Bell, where she will introduce Antiracist Black Language Pedagogy as a solution to white linguistic supremacy in education, prioritizing Black Language to challenge white linguistic hegemony. The talk will take place Wednesday, February 28th, at 4 PM in Chumash Auditorium.  Find out more › Teaching "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" In the 21st Century On Saturday, February 17th,  Dr. Maya Hislop  will be giving a talk at the SLO County Library on how she first came into contact with the landmark book, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl" by Harriet Ann Jacobs and the impact that it has had on her as a person, as a teacher, and as an activist. The talk is open to the public and will take place on February 17th in the SLO County Public Library Community room at 11 AM.  Find out more › Honoring Black History Month   February is Black History Month, and this year’s theme for this month-long celebration of African American and African diasporic contributions to our nation’s history and richness, is “African Americans and the Arts.” Read OUDI's statement on the importance of this month and the many campus and community events that celebrate Black culture and art this February. Find out more › HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program   Cal Poly strives to be a university that enhances student success by creating a culturally rich environment of diversity and inclusion, academic excellence, and social responsibility. To further our mission of becoming an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) that thinks critically and holistically about serving the Latine/x community, The Office of University Diversity and Inclusion (OUDI) announced the inaugural Cal Poly HSI High Impact Mini-Grant program at the  Adelante HSI Symposium  in October, 2023.    Read more about our HSI High Impact Mini-Grant Program › Fostering Understanding In Our Community, Speaking Out Against Dehumanizing Rhetoric   Hear from Lindsay Schubiner, Director of Programs at the Western States Center, at a Zoom Webinar hosted by the San Luis Obispo Diversity Coalition  on January 17th 2024 starting at 6:00 PM . Lindsay will be speaking about "Speaking Out Against Bigoted, Dehumanizing Rhetoric", a guide created by the Western States Center.  She will be followed by comments from community members Ahmed Deif from the Mosque of Nasreen, and Rabbi Micah Hyman from Congregation Beth David. RSVP Here › BEACoN Student Applications now open! Applications for BEACoN student research scholars are now open. There are research projects from across the six colleges, and for the first time, OUDI-sponsored projects focused on equity and inclusion. Applications are open until Novemebr 19th 2023. Find out more › Honoring Native American Heritage Month Read OUDI's statement on Native American Heritage Month and learn about the importance of this month to the Native American community and our nation as a whole. Find out more about campus happenings, including a  keynote by Deborah Miranda  and the  State of Indigeneity Find out more › Hoping for Peace in the Middle East Read OUDI's statement on the turbulent situation in the Middle East. We know that many of our students, staff, and faculty have family, connections, and ties to those regions and are struggling with fear, anger, and uncertainty... Find out more › Latine/x Heritage Month Read OUDI's statement on Latine/x Heritage Month, and learn about the importance on this month and its significance to the Latine/x community. Check out the impactful events scheduled on campus to celebrate the histories and resilience of the Latine/x community.   Find out more › 2023 HSI Symposium: Pathway to Becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution Join the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion for an immersive day that explores what becoming an HSI means for Cal Poly. The event will include a panel, workshops, lunch and resource fair and close with Keynote Speaker, Dolores Huerta. Find out more › Braiding Water OUDI is proud to be a sponsor of R.A.C.E. Matters' Braiding Water - a multi-location art and cultural festival that weaves together ceremony, joy and care for our natural resources. Join us August 19 through October 21, 2023 across San Luis Obispo County, for events that center BIPOC voices from the Central Coast. Visit R.A.C.E. Matters for more detailed event information. Find out more › 2023 BEACoN Research Symposium  OUDI invites the campus community to the annual BEACoN Research Scholars Symposium which showcases  research projects conducted by student and faculty teams across all 6 Academic Colleges. The Symposium will be on Wednesday, June 14th from 12:00-2:00 PM and all are welcome to attend. Find out more › Pride Month 2023 Read OUDI's statement on Pride Month 2023, and learn about the importance on this month and its symbols the LGBTQIA+ community and the events that OUDI is proud to be co-sponsoring during this year's celebrations. Find out more › Matika Wilbur Changing the Way We See Native America  OUDI is proud to be working with the city of San Luis Obispo to host a keynote by acclaimed photographer Matika Wilbur at the Palm Theater on May 5th. Matika will be speaking about her book Project 562 Changing the Way We See Native America ,  and her decade long experiences documenting the 562 tribes across North America. The event will consist of a keynote address by Matika, a moderated Q&A, and a book signing.  The event will run from 4:30 PM-6:00 PM at the Palm Theatre in Downtown SLO. Please RSVP here  Find out more › President's Diversity Awards The President’s Diversity Awards celebrate members of the Cal Poly community who have exhibited a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus. The 2023 ceremony will take place on May 4th at the PAC. Please RSVP and click the link below for more information. Find out more › Womxn's History Month 2023  March is Womxn's History Month. This year's theme is   Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories . Join OUDI and the Cal Poly community in celebrating and honoring the achievements and contributions that womxn have made. Find out more ›   Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution  For Cal Poly, becoming an HSI is a critical step in its effort to be a premier polytechnic institution that enhances student success by creating a culturally rich environment of diversity and inclusion. Find out more ›   Statement on Black History Month 2023 Read Dr. Isom's Statement on Black History Month 2023, and learn about campus events that celebrate and reflect on the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans. Find out more › 7th Annual Social Justice Teach In OUDI is proud to be a co-sponsor of the Cal Poly Liberal Arts Teach in. Join the Cal Poly community for a daylong series of talks and workshops centered around equity and social justice designed to inform and inspire. Presentations will be given campus wide and the day will culminate with a keynote by Dr. Claude M. Steele and a performance by A.I.M by Kyle Abraham. The 2023 Social Justice Teach In will be on February 9th    Find out more and register to attend here ›   Winter Solstice Indigenous Marketplace in Downtown SLO Come celebrate Indigenous artistry and Native American Heritage Month! Join OUDI, NAICC and the City of SLO DEI Office for a winter solstice marketplace featuring over 20 Native and Indigenous regional vendors in downtown San Luis Obispo in Mission Plaza on Tuesday, November 1 from 1 to 6 pm. Find out more ›   LGBT History Month 2022 October is national LGBT History month and we want to recognize the clubs and organizations doing the work on campus and at the community at large. Check bask as we'll continue to update this Pride focused event list for the month. Find out more ›   Indigenous Peoples' Day 2022 The campus community is invited to celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day on  Monday October 10, 2022 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m at the yak itʸutʸu Residential Community Amphitheater Lawn . Come hear yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribal Members speak about their culture, present their grandmother's songs, share their traditional walnut game and exhibit items important to their heritage. Find out more › Hispanic Heritage Month Keynote Speaker - Dr. Gina Ann Garcia The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is proud to welcome Dr. Gina Ann Garcia to campus to deliver a keynote address about Becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) on Thursday, September 29 at 11 am in Chumash Auditorium. Find out more › New Web Resource - Embedding DEI in Faculty Hiring Check out the new comprehensive guide designed by the Office of University Diversity & Inclusion to assist departments in centering DEI in their faculty recruitment efforts. Continue reading › Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine When conflict occurs anywhere in the world, members of our campus community are invariably impacted. Read Dr. Isom's statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  Continue reading › Congratulations to the Winners of the 2022 President's Diversity Awards The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is proud to announce the awardees of the 2022 President's Diversity Awards. These awards are an opportunity to recognize members, departments, and groups in our Cal Poly community who have demonstrated a dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus. Find out more › Statement on recent race-based shootings Read Dr. Isom's statement on the White supremacist and race-based shooting that occurred across the country this past weekend. Find out more › Critical Arab/SWANA American Studies II OUDI is co-sponsoring a panel discussion on the state of Arab American studies in the California Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum with Dr. Samia Shoman and Dr. Rabab Abdulhadi. The discussion will focus on the challenges that the speakers face in expanding Arab/SWANA American studies in ethnic studies curricula for California, at the K-12 and university levels. Join us for this important discussion on Friday May 20th in the San Luis Obispo Public Library Community Room from 5:00-6:30. Find out more › Concert with Ruby Ibarra on May 12th OUDI is proud to be co-sponsoring a concert with Filipina American rapper and spoken word artist Ruby Ibarra on May 12th from 5:45 p.m- 7:00 p.m at the UU plaza. Ibarra is notable for her intricate lyricism and powerful messages. This concert is free and open to all, and we hope to see our Cal Poly community come out to celebrate APDIA Heritage Month with us. Find out more › Statement on APIDA Heritage Month May is APIDA Heritage Month, and this year's theme is "Advancing leaders through collaboration." This month we recognize and honor the innumerable contributions, varied histories, and vibrant cultures of the broad array of ethnicities that make up what we call the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Read Vice President Isom's statement on Asian Pacific Islanders Desi American Heritage Month.  Link to Statement › Inclusive Excellence Month at Cal Poly May is Inclusive Excellence month at Cal Poly. Find out more about Inclusive Excellence efforts at Cal Poly and our Inclusive Excellence Month calendar full of events. Find out more › President's Diversity Award Nominations are now open The President’s Diversity Awards celebrate members of the Cal Poly community who have exhibited a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus. The awards are an opportunity to recognize members of the faculty, staff, and student communities as well as contributions from a recognized student group/organization and department/unit. Students, staff, departments, and clubs can be nominated for awards. The Nominations are Due May 9th, 2022 by 5:00 p.m.  Link to form › La Perla film screening on May 1st The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is proud to be working with the Latino outreach council in cosponsoring the screening of the classic Mexican American film La Perla as a part of the SLO International Film Festival. This film set in Baja California and starring Cal Poly alumni Pedro Armendáriz is a classic from the Mexican Golden Age of Cinema. The screening will take place at the Fremont theater on May 1st at 3 PM.  Continue reading › Diversity Speaker Series with Dr. Danielle Wood The Community is invited to attend the inaugural San Luis Obispo Diversity Speaker Series with MIT Aeronautics professor Dr. Danielle Wood. The speech will focus on Dr. Wood's work on space enabled earth justice. As director of the Space Enabled research group at MIT's Media Lab Dr. Wood applies designs enabled by space research to projects that advance social goods here on earth. The  Speaker Series will take place at the San Luis Obispo Library Community Room on April 23 at 4 PM. Continue reading › Men of Color Success Initiative - Mentorship Program   The Men & Masculinities Program’s Men of Color Success Initiative (MOCSI) is accepting mentor and mentee applications for the first cohort of our new MOCSI Mentorship Program! This 16-week program connects undergraduate men of color with a dynamic community of peer and faculty/staff mentors, creating ongoing mentorship relationships, and access to high-impact educational workshops and developmental experience. The application deadline  is   Wednesday, 2/3 Continue reading › ADOS, Sh**t-Hole Countries, and (Which) Black Lives Matter: Engaging Contemporary Intra-racial and Transnational Dynamics Surrounding Black College Students  This session will focus on how the current U.S. sociopolitical climate (related explicitly to anti-Black racism and nativism) is impacting Black students of diverse ethnicities and nativities as well as Black intra-racial dynamics on campuses. We will use current racial movements (e.g., ADOS, Black Lives Matter) and incidents alongside our empirical research to share and co-construct strategies for supporting diverse Black students. Continue reading › Join in the Discussion at the 5th Annual Teach-In On Thursday, Feb. 11, join the campus community for the 2021 Teach In – a daylong series of virtual talks and workshops centered around equity and social justice designed to inform and inspire! Continue reading › Statement on the Events at the Capitol Read a statement from Drs. Isom and Humphrey on the events that took place on Wednesday, January 6 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Continue reading ›   Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator Training Applications Now Open Students are invited to sign up for the Intergroup Dialogue Facilitator Training course for Winter 2021. Continue reading ›   Change the Status Quo Social Justice Leadership Conference Proposals Open Submissions for the 19th annual Change the Status Quo Social Justice Leadership Conference are now open. Continue reading › Call for Participation in the 2021 CSU Research Competition Submissions are now open for the 2021 CSU Research Competition. Continue reading › OUDI Agenda, Update & Vision Thursday, November 19 • 4:00-5:15PM Join the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion for a conversation about our agenda and vision for the 2020-2021 academic year. Zoom ID: 871 6402 9459 Movember 2020 Closing Keynote Address featuring Blake Williams Join Men and Masculinities, part of Student Diversity & Belonging in the Division of Student Affairs, on Thursday, November 19 from 5:30-6:30PM for the closing keynote address for Movmember 2020. This year's keynote will feature Cal Poly alumn Blake Williams. Continue reading › Safer Leadership Training This training is the first step in becoming a campus leader to end all forms of gender- and power-based vioelnce. Learn how to be an ally to s