Cal Poly Partners

Cal Poly&#8217;s <a href="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/">Digital Democracy</a>, an artificial intelligence platform designed to help journalists analyze government proceedings, has received an Emmy Award for its role in uncovering hidden legislative practices in California.



Developed by the university&#8217;s students and staff under Professor Foaad Khosmood, Digital Democracy uses AI to automatically transcribe and analyze legislative hearings, helping reporters identify how lawmakers can block bills without public votes.



Through <a href="https://iatpp.calpoly.edu/" data-type="link" data-id="https://iatpp.calpoly.edu/">Cal Poly&#8217;s Institute for Advanced Technology and Public Policy</a>, the project launched in 2014 with the purpose to increase government transparency and support local journalism. It now partners with the nonprofit newsroom <a href="https://calmatters.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://calmatters.org/">CalMatters</a> to provide tools for data-driven political reporting.



“This recognition shows that technology can truly serve the public good,” Khosmood said. “It highlights how collaboration and innovation can strengthen democracy.”

Cal Poly’s Digital Democracy Recognized with Emmy for Advancing Government Transparency

“Learn by doing” is the official mantra of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California and the school’s foodservice provider, Chartwells Higher Education, is embracing that mantra with its student cooking classes.



“Part of our mission is to be aligned with the university,” says Director of Campus Dining&nbsp;Jess Dozier.&nbsp;&nbsp;“We&#8217;ve got a really strong culinary team, and so it&#8217;s just been a fun way to involve students.”



The one-hour classes are held once a month and offer 20 to 25 students a chance to learn new culinary skills that they can take back to their dorm rooms.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Teaching students real-world skills ">Teaching students real-world skills&nbsp;</h3>



The dining team has been offering the classes for several years now. Each class begins with the instructor sharing the history behind whatever dish it is that they will make as well as how the dish is prepared in different cultures.



From there, the chefs walk students through how to prepare the item, and the students cook right alongside them. Earlier this semester, for example, Dozier taught students how to make their own omelets and even showed them how to flip them.



“It&#8217;s interactive. You&#8217;re doing it with them,” says&nbsp;Dozier.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It&#8217;s not just, ‘this is how you do it,’ it&#8217;s meant to be very fun and engaging, and very, very low key.”



The team tries to pick dishes that use simple ingredients and basic techniques that they know students will continue to make on their own once the class is over.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Forming a connection">Forming a connection</h3>



The classes have become popular with students and generally sell out. The team is currently looking at ways they can grow the program, so they don’t have to turn students away who want to participate.



For fellow dining teams looking to start their own cooking classes with students, Dozier recommends not to overthink it and just have fun with it.



Even though setting up and running the classes takes time, it is worth it for the opportunity to get in front of students and form a connection with them.



“If you can make a connection with students, then you&#8217;re more apt to get feedback from them and things like that. And that&#8217;s what you need to make your program better,” says Dozier. “This is just another avenue to do that too but have some fun. It&#8217;s mainly just for fun.”

Professor teaching students culinary skills.

Cal Poly Campus Dining’s cooking classes serve up life skills with a side of connection

SAN LUIS OBISPO — While increased home construction is often cited as a solution to California’s affordability crisis, a Cal Poly finance professor says building more homes won’t solve the problem.



Instead, Hamed Ghoddusi, an associate professor at the Orfalea College of Business, said communities like San Luis Obispo need to pursue a concerted effort to build homes for specific types of workers, including educators and medical providers.



“There is a good reason for high house prices, which reflect the quality of local amenities and the willingness to pay for them,” said Ghoddusi, who recently researched the Central Coast housing market. “However, these prices are negatively affecting our area’s labor market by creating an imbalance or shortage in certain critical sectors.”



That imbalance could negatively impact the broader community in a variety of ways, he added.



“We already see that people in high-demand professions are leaving SLO to relocate to places that pay well and cost less to live,” he said. “Also, the ‘medical desert’ situation that is partly caused by high housing costs is forcing residents with specialized medical needs to leave the area to reside in counties with higher density of health-care providers. Some of those residents are critical members of the community that may not be easily replaced.”



The research, funded by the Economic Development Administration’s University Center, is part of a collaboration with CSU Chico, the grant leader, along with Cal Poly and Fresno State.



The median list price for homes home in San Luis Obispo exceeded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article311522869.html">$1.3 million this summer</a>, according to the Realtors Association. That rising price is at least partly due to an influx of remote workers, local tech jobs and wealthy retirees, Ghoddusi said.



“The demand for those groups keeps the willingness to pay high and strong,” he said. “I believe with factors such as climate change, higher traffic and increased crime rates in larger cities, SLO may become even a more desired place to live and that may put further pressure on our local housing prices, similar to what Santa Barbara has experienced on a different scale.”



As a result, more construction would likely just add more expensive homes that are out of range for many locals — including a variety of needed professionals.



One example of a targeted project is evident at Cal Poly, where Cal Poly Partners, the university’s mission-driven nonprofit that for 85 years has enabled faculty research and supported Learn by Doing experiences for students, is currently building housing at a reduced cost for faculty and staff in an effort to recruit and retain qualified employees.



“We recognize that market-rate construction alone cannot address the housing challenges faced by our faculty and staff,” said Jim Dunning, associate executive director of Real Estate Development and Services with Cal Poly Partners.



The new construction supplements the Bella Montana housing development Cal Poly Partners currently provides for sale to faculty and staff, Dunning said.



“Our newest project, Vista Meadows, will feature 34 single family homes that further meet our goals to create a program that becomes increasingly attainable over time, ensuring that future generations of educators and staff can continue to live and work in the community they serve, even as broader housing market pressures continue to escalate.”



Targeted housing like that, Ghoddusi said, is different than affordable housing programs, such as the one used by the city of San Luis Obispo that requires most new residential and commercial development to contribute to affordable housing, either by constructing affordable housing units with the project or by paying an “in-lieu” fee to a city fund to help affordable housing development.



“Affordable housing works based on income limits, such as 30 percent or 80 percent of area median income,” he said. “The subjects of targeted housing typically earn just above the affordable housing income cap.”



While affordable housing programs are lottery based and represent a limited number of homes, Ghoddusi said, communities need to pursue multiple fronts to address the housing challenge.



“We need a portfolio of housing solutions, and this one is another program,” he said.



Ghodussi is a member of the Real Estate Initiative, a joint effort between the Orfalea College of Business and College of Architecture and Environmental Design to prepare Cal Poly students for real estate careers and provide relevant research.



“The Orfalea College of Business mission is to have a positive impact on business and society,” said Dean Damon Fleming. “Research like Hamed’s seeks solutions to challenges that can improve the quality of life in communities.”



While he sees targeted housing as one solution, Ghoddusi said the county still needs to produce expensive homes as well.



“While it may seem counterintuitive, it is part of the solution because this way you keep two demand groups separate and reduce the demand in the lower cost segment of the housing market,” he said. “However, we should also mind supply limitations. If the expensive housing projects compete and crowd out other potentially efficient housing projects, they will have a negative impact on targeted&nbsp;housing and work-force housing supply.”



# # #

Construction crews working on a large dirt field at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with equipment and vehicles in the background, surrounded by trees, campus buildings, and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

Commercial Home Construction Alone Won’t Ease SLO County’s Housing Crisis, Says Cal Poly Finance Professor, Who Urges More ‘Targeted’ Residential Projects

Cal Poly Partners Plaza, the 14,200-square-foot tiered hospitality area in the north end zone of Alex G. Spanos Stadium, was recently recognized as an <a target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.ascelasection.org/awards/detail/cal_poly_partners_plaza_spanos_stadium">Outstanding Community Improvement Project</a> by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Los Angeles Section.&nbsp;



The Plaza received the award for its exceptional civil engineering enhancements in service of the Cal Poly community. The Plaza previously received two awards from the ASCE San Luis Obispo Branch for Outstanding Urban or Land Development Project and Outstanding Community Improvement Project.&nbsp;



“Cal Poly Partners Plaza is a shared commitment to supporting a vibrant campus environment,” said Cody VanDorn, Cal Poly Partners CEO. “We are thrilled to offer a revitalized space that continues to offer an immersive athletics and community-gathering experience.”&nbsp;



The university’s nonprofit auxiliary, Cal Poly Partners, collaborated with San Luis Obispo-based Wallace Group, Maino Construction and TenOver Studio to transform the space from unusable and restricted to a multi-level viewing plaza featuring a new concession area, turf play area, landscaped pathways and picnic areas.&nbsp;



The accessible pathways provide ADA access to all levels of the Plaza and connect the home and visitor’s side of the stadium with O’Neill Green. The project also included new ADA parking spaces on California Blvd adjacent to the project site.&nbsp;



The Plaza opened last fall and transformed an underutilized location in a prime area of the stadium into an immersive college athletics experience with a fantastic field view.&nbsp;&nbsp;



Providing a significant upgrade to the stadium’s concessions, the Plaza offers two unique culinary and beverage venues, as well as one standalone drink concession. Customizable catering and beverage services are also available in the exclusive turnkey VIP section for company picnics and employee or corporate events.&nbsp;



“We’re honored to be recognized by the ASCE Los Angeles Section,” said Dan Swingley, senior project manager. “The goal was to enhance the stadium facilities for events, and we’re glad our community efforts have paid off.”&nbsp;



Each year, the Los Angeles Section presents Project and Individual Awards at the Section Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Ceremony. The Branches, Younger Member Forum, Life Member Forum, Technical Groups, Committees and individual members nominate these awards.&nbsp;



Following the 2025 ASCE LA Section Annual Awards ceremony, the winners, including Cal Poly Partners Plaza, will be forwarded to the Region 9 Awards Committee for consideration of a 2026 Region 9 Award.&nbsp;

Cal Poly Partners Plaza Recognized as an Outstanding Community Improvement Project

Cal Poly Partners&#8217; Marketing and Communications team earned top tier recognition from the 2025 MarCom awards, receiving honors for all 10 of its submissions. The team won one Platinum Award, six Gold Awards, and three Honorable Mentions for creative excellence across a range of university projects.



The awards, administered by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professions (AMCP), recognize outstanding achievement in marketing and communications, with this year&#8217;s competition drawing many entries. 



Cal Poly Partners’ winning work included collaborations with Student Affairs, Administration and Finance, Academic Affairs, and other campus departments—reflecting the team’s commitment to advancing Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing mission through strategic storytelling and design.



“Our team is honored to be recognized among leading marketing and communication professionals worldwide,” said Ellen Curtis, associate executive director of Marketing and Communications for Cal Poly Partners. “These awards reflect the creativity, collaboration and passion that drive our work to amplify the impact of Cal Poly and its partners every day.”



The Platinum Award, the competition’s highest honor, recognizes exceptional quality and serves as a benchmark for the industry. The Gold Awards and Honorable Mentions further highlight the team’s excellence across diverse media, &nbsp;including strategic campaigns, visual design and video production.



For a full list of winners, visit <a href="https://marcomawards.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://marcomawards.com/">www.marcomawards.com</a>.

Two 2025 MarCom Award trophies displayed side by side, featuring a platinum winner statue on the left and a gold winner statue on the right, against a bright green background.

Cal Poly Partners Marketing and Communications Team Earns 10 MarCom Awards

1144 Chorro St. in downtown San Luis Obispo is being redeveloped into the new Cal Poly Mustang Shop and <a href="https://cie.calpoly.edu/" data-type="link" data-id="https://cie.calpoly.edu/">Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. </a>



Cal Poly Partners is leading the project, which will merge the Mustang Shop and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship into one downtown hub. Construction is underway with a planned winter 2026 move-in.

Former Sports Authority location in downtown San Luis Obispo undergoing construction

<a href="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly/campus-map/poly-choice" data-type="link" data-id="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly/campus-map/poly-choice">Poly Choice</a>, Cal Poly Dining&#8217;s newest venue at 1901 Marketplace, is bringing a new energy to the campus lunch scene. Replacing Poly Deli this year, the restaurant was brought to life by student feedback and features a rotating menu every six weeks to keep choices new and exciting.



The current menu consists of build-your-own poke bowls, priced at $13.95, along with grad-and-go items, around or under $7. Students can order ahead through Grubhub, and early results show that Poly Choice is quickly becoming a fan favorite. 



The food shop is open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Friday until 1:45 p.m.

The Poly Choice dining venue at Cal Poly’s 1901 Marketplace, featuring a clean, modern counter setup with hanging lights, menu boards and food stations.

Poly Choice replaces Poly Deli at 1901 Marketplace 

<a href="https://calpolypartners.org/" data-type="link" data-id="https://calpolypartners.org/">Cal Poly Partners</a>, in collaboration with <a href="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly" data-type="link" data-id="https://new.dineoncampus.com/calpoly">Cal Poly Campus Dining</a>, has opened Hilltop, a new grocery store in <a href="https://housing.calpoly.edu/student-housing/residence-halls-and-apartments/poly-canyon-village-apartments" data-type="link" data-id="https://housing.calpoly.edu/student-housing/residence-halls-and-apartments/poly-canyon-village-apartments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poly Canyon Village</a> designed to give students access to more affordable goods.



The store offers fresh produce, deli meats, toiletries and dry goods, with a focus on keeping prices low. Director of Commercial Services Russell Monteath said the idea came directly from student feedback, with many expressing concerns over high on-campus prices.



Hilltop’s affordability comes from working with suppliers such as <a href="https://www.foodbuy.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.foodbuy.com/">Food Buy</a>, <a href="https://www.jdfood.com/" data-type="link" data-id="https://www.jdfood.com/">JD Meats and Seafood</a>, and Cal Poly Products. Looking ahead, Cal Poly Partners is exploring a grocery delivery option, and Monteath is encouraging students to share feedback to help improve the store.

Two Cal Poly students holding grocery baskets and shopping at Cal Poly's new on campus store in PCV.