Our Mission
To engage and serve alumni, to foster a lifelong connection between alumni and Cal Poly and to cultivate goodwill and support for the University.
What We Do
The Cal Poly Alumni Association is led by an engaged and diverse board of directors, supported by a dedicated staff, that is committed to creating quality alumni experiences.
Board of Directors Executive Committee

Lauren Layne
- B.S., Soil Science, 2006
Favorite Cal Poly Memory:
I worked in the Earth & Soil Science Department for Dr. Brent Hallock. I was able to conduct soil erosion and sediment control studies through grant funding. My team was then able to present our findings at a conference of Environmental Professionals. It was an amazing experience for college students to be educating certified professionals in erosion and sediment control. It was a fabulous Learn by Doing experience and showed us what opportunities were available to us
Favorite Learn by Doing Memory:
I had to miss a class field trip because a professor in a different department would not let me miss a midterm. So, Dr. Hallock took one other student and me up to evaluate the soils pits for the State FFA Soil Judging Contest. I learned so much during that small group session and it helped me earn the highest grade on the midterm in the class.

Yvonne Sams
- B.S., Agricultural Engineering Technology, 1995
Favorite Cal Poly Memory:
Marrying my college sweetheart and now my oldest daughter attends the same major I graduated from.
Campus Dining I Miss the Most:
Backstage Pizza

Jennifer Fanning
- B.S., Recreation Administration, 2001

Tawny M. James
- B.S., Accounting, 1989
Favorite Study Spot:
I loved to study in the library which really meant sleeping!
Clubs/Activities:
Sigma Kappa Sorority, Poly Royal Board, Accounting Club

Tessa Stevens Espinoza
- B.A., Social Sciences, 2007 / MA, Education, 2013

Kelley Bannon Lashley
- B.A., Political Science, 1995
Regional Directors

Shelley McCracken
- B.S., Liberal Studies, 1997
Learn by Doing Today:
I am an elementary school teacher and teach STEM where we are constantly building things and experimenting.
Favorite Cal Poly Memory:
I was a founding member of Running Thunder (athletics spirit club) and have tons of fond memories of all our crazy times. Something that was really special to me is that through Running Thunder, I got to spend time as our mascot, Musty the Mustang.

John Osumi
- B.S., Computer Engineering, 2012

Bob Weaver
- B.S., Agricultural Business, 1987
Why the Cal Poly Alumni Association?
It's a great way to keep up to date with Cal Poly (the greatest university in the nation and possibly the world), to help provide future students with scholarships, and to visit with friends and fellow Cal Poly alumni.
Favorite Learn by Doing Memory:
All my outdoor labs. Experiencing something hands on, in the real world versus a lab, to me is critical to learn the many aspects of agriculture.

Anthonette Pena
- B.A., Liberal Studies, 2000

Matt Cohen
- B.S., Business Administration, 2014
Favorite Cal Poly Memory:
I really enjoyed working as a desk assistant at Sequoia Hall. I met many lifelong friends through that who I otherwise wouldn't have met just going to and from my room on the third floor. Would recommend that job to all incoming freshman!
Favorite Cal Poly Class:
The history of economics was probably my favorite class. My professor was Solina Lindahl and she was the only professor at Cal Poly I had twice. I jumped at the chance to learn from her again and was so glad I did. The class complimented the otherwise quantitative work I was taking for my degree and based it in theory and philosophy. This really helped me understand the models we were working with and made it more real.
College Directors

Colby Pereira
- B.S., Agricultural Business, 2005
Favorite Learn by Doing Memory:
Harvesting crops from the orchards (oranges etc.). It solidified the appreciation I have for any/all individuals who work to provide a stable food supply for the world to enjoy.
Why the Cal Poly Alumni Association:
Relationships are at the core of what each of us do in our daily lives. Most can look back to say that our current successes are largely in part to the foundation we gained at Cal Poly, including those relationships. Whether personal or professional...the social fabric is what allows us all to continue flourishing in whatever roles we find ourselves in.

Farid Shahid
- B.A.R., Architecture, 2016

Jon Peck
- B.S., Economics, 2016

John Goble
- B.S., Electronic Engineering, 1986
Favorite Downtown Spot:
Spikes
Class I'd Take if Given the Chance:
Dynamics. It was one of the hardest classes I took, and I would love to take it again to better appreciate the physical world around me.

Dan Rivoire
- B.A., Philosophy, 2007

Joan Pinder
- B.S., Chemistry, 1979
Favorite Cal Poly Memory:
My favorite memory at Cal Poly was Poly Royal each year. The chance to show off what you had learned that year and participate in labs and the magic show to help people understand chemistry and make it fun
Class I'd Take if Given the Chance:
I would love to take all of the new Polymer Chemistry classes that have been developed and are now offered and do one of the many research projects that are happening on campus each summer.
Other Directors

Hunt Turner
- B.S., Business Administration, 1995
Favorite Downtown Spot:
Tortilla Flats on a Friday.
Favorite Learn by Doing Memory:
Creating a fake company in Business 410 and making 'CEO' decisions on how the company would do.

Grace Lauer
- B.S., Architecture, 2022
Favorite Cal Poly Memory:
Any and all memories with Poly Reps, the annual Architecture Vellum competition (furniture design!), and late nights in the architecture studios.
Favorite Class:
My senior architectural design thesis with Emily White — a class of 17 students that was year-round and entirely independent project-wise. We traveled to the East coast over spring break, did combo classes with the preschoolers and all finished up our five years with an amazing installation in building 5.

Kraig Scheyer
- B.S., Environmental Engineering & Water Control, 1979

Billy Stubblefield
- B.S., Microbiology, 2001

Sharon Lucas
- B.S., Industrial Technology, 1986
Favorite Cal Poly Class:
Most of my IT classes were my favorite classes. The instructor, the late "Smitty" was gifted in making the classes interesting, informative and relatable.
Why the Cal Poly Alumni Association?
To have the opportunity to continue to work with students, clubs/groups, faculty and staff, university leadership and the community to make Cal Poly the model and example of a great institution that is not only rich in academic excellence but also for its willingness to continue to "move the needle" year after year to embrace an inclusive and diverse student body and faculty/staff.

Leslie Nelson
