In Touch with WLC News
April 24, 2024 News
Cal Poly students Araceli Aronin (Biomedical Engineering Major, Minor in Spanish) and Andrea Valle (Communication Studies Major; Minor in Sales and Spanish) triumphed at Legados - San Luis Obispo 2024!
Their 1st place victory marks the culmination of the sixth annual Spanish-language civic debate cycle, an achievement that speaks volumes about their dedication and capabilities.
This year's fiercely competitive event welcomed students from Cal Poly and the esteemed CETYS University to explore the theme of Agricultural Sustainability. Participants were tasked with identifying the primary barriers obstructing the adoption of sustainable/restorative agriculture in California. Additionally, students were challenged to propose actionable measures for governmental bodies at different levels, while also contemplating the role Mexico should undertake in tackling these challenges.
The innovative case presented by Araceli and Andrea highlighted the critical barrier of knowledge deficiency. Their proposed solution, an educational campaign in schools leveraging partnerships with emerging social media influencers, showcased both creativity and practicality. Araceli and Andrea’s case garnered success against a diverse panel of expert judges, including Larry Jacobs and Maricela Adrian from Jacobs Farms/Del Cabo, business leader Francisco Ramirez, and Dr. Neal MacDougall in Ag Business.
Such accomplishments underscore the caliber of talent and dedication within our campus community. But their great success is also possible through the dedicated community of faculty and staff that support student success! A huge thank you to Dr. Neal MacDougall for judging this event! And special thanks to Dr. Victoria Zamora, Lu Arocho, Dr. Fernando Sánchez and all the other faculty and staff who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to mentor and prepare students for these tournaments during much of the academic year.
Please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations to Araceli and Andrea for their outstanding achievement, and to all students, faculty and staff whose dedication and guidance have empowered our students to achieve these remarkable feats.
#Legados2024 #LearnbyDebating #Sustainability #Innovation
April 11, 2024 News
Nicole Mullikin (MLL 2015) named 2023 recipient of the Women Lawyers Association of San Luis Obispo County’s “Rising Star” award!
Cal Poly Debaters win at Legados -- Mexico, 2024 Debate Tournament
The Cal Poly Debate Team is ecstatic to announce the outstanding success of Alejandro Valentín Martinez (Spanish Major; Minor in History) and Andrea Valle (Communication Studies Major; Minor in Sales and Spanish) who emerged as the champions of the Legados -- Mexico 2024 Debate Tournament in Mexicali on March 15th, 2024.
Their victory was not just a testament to their exceptional debating skills but also to their innovative proposal aimed at tackling a pressing issue of urban sustainability in Mexico. Andrea and Alejandro advocated for the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, akin to those utilized by C.A.R.B. (California Air Resources Board), to identify sectors most impacted by targeted public transit. Their proposal seeks to reduce dependence on "carros chocolates" in cities across Baja California, offering a sustainable solution for the future.
Their dedication, intellect, and commitment to feasible change truly shone throughout the tournament, earning them well-deserved recognition and acclaim. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Andrea Valle and Alejandro Valentín Martinez for this remarkable achievement, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing their continued success on their journey ahead!
We also look forward to the 6th annual Spanish-language Civic Debate Legados — USA, on April 13th at 10:00 AM. This tournament asks students to identify and solve urgent barriers to the implementation of sustainable and restorative agricultural practices in California. In addition, we ask students to identify what Mexico can do to collaborate in this solution.
We invite the community of Cal Poly to join us in 65-220, on April 13 at 10:00 AM.
CLTA Summer Strand applications open: “Become a Teacher: Be a Change Agent”
World Languages Summer Seminar .
Dates: July 19-24 at UC Santa Barbara
Application due date: May 15, 2024
The College of Liberal Arts is delighted to share that student applications for the 2024 CLA Summer Undergraduate Research/Creative Activity Program (SURP) are now open! Sixteen amazing projects are available, and we are seeking to recruit 25 students. Check out the CLA SURP website to learn more: https://cla.calpoly.edu/2024-SURP
If selected, you will have the opportunity to
- work side-by-side with Cal Poly faculty
- get hands-on experience
- create new knowledge to help us see the world in new ways
- answer real-world questions and contribute to solutions to problems that face the Central Coast, California, the U.S. and the world
- make a difference!
Applications are due by end of day on Monday, April 22, 2024.
An Information Session will be held on Monday, April 15 at 9:10-10am via Zoom, Meeting ID 770 101 3932.
More information
- CLA students can apply to up to 3 CLA SURP projects.
- Selected CLA SURP students will receive a financial award of $3,500 to support their engagement and participation in this opportunity. This will be processed through Financial Aid. Please note that this is a fellowship, not employment, and is undocufriendly.
- Some projects can be virtual; others require at least some in-person availability. Please contact the faculty mentor(s) listed to learn more if modality is not clear to you in the project description.
Please email Dr. Lehr at jlehr@calpoly.edu with any questions. You may also attend Dr. Lehr’s drop-in office hours via Zoom as listed here: https://tinyurl.com/Lehr-Spring2024. Zoom Meeting ID 945 5392 5396, Passcode: 736298. As available, you can also make a calendly appointment: https://calendly.com/janelehr/15min.
March 6, 2024 News
In Memoriam: Sofia Padoan
The World Languages & Cultures Department joins the family and friends of Sofia Padoan in grieving the tragic passing of this remarkable young woman. Sofia was a third-year nutrition major and Italian studies minor from Walnut Creek, California. She was president of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and an active member of the Italian Cultural Association, Nutrition Club, and Spanish Club. Sofia took five classes with Teresiana, from ITAL 101 to WLC 310, excelling in all of them. She was beloved by her classmates and the other club members and will be greatly missed.
February 15, 2024 News
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U-RISE at Cal Poly is currently recruiting students for the 2024-2025 academic year and applications are due Friday, February 23, 2024. Your outreach last year was invaluable in recruiting our wonderful 1st cohort - please help us find our 2nd cohort of scholars. Please pass along to your students.
Please consider forwarding the attached flyer to potential candidates and posting it in your departments/offices. Personal outreach – encouraging a specific student to apply – was a very effective method of recruitment in year one and we encourage you to reach out to students you know again this year!
Information about U-RISE:
U-RISE is an exciting program funded by NIH that provides research opportunities to students from underrepresented groups and develop their identities as scientists. Students will leave inspired and prepared for success in graduate school in the biomedical field.
Students in the program will receive tuition assistance (~$7,800/year for two years), an annual stipend (~$14,000/year for completing 10-15 hours/week on research), and a paid 10-week summer research experience.
U-RISE is a 2-year training program consisting of four key components:
- A mentoring team and individual development planning
- Mentored research experiences at Cal Poly and at a research-intensive university
- Formal coursework to support students’ development as scientists
- Events outside the classroom (e.g., research seminars, professional development, team building, peer mentoring)
For more information and to apply, please visit:
https://healthresearch.calpoly.edu/u-rise
The Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarship Program Applications Are Now Open!
The Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship provides awards of up to $5,000 for students who are U.S. citizens, Federal Pell Grant recipients, and studying at undergraduate level at a two or four-year institution. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is open to child or spousal dependents of an active duty military member who receive any type of Title IV Federal Financial Aid. For both scholarships, STEM students may be eligible for an additional $1000, and students studying a Critical Needs Language can receive up to $3000 more!
Learn more about the Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarships and application process at gilmanscholarship.org and be sure to submit your application by March 7, 2024.
If you receive a Pell Grant and want to apply, mark your calendars. The International Center is also hosting an application workshop on Thursday, February 22, 11:10-12:00 in 52-e28. Please attend to learn more about the program and get advice from a Gilman Alumni Ambassador and International Center staff on putting together a strong application.
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San Luis Coastal Unified School District is looking for qualified candidates to teach or be activity leaders in their Summer Experience Program. This may be a great opportunity for students who are currently enrolled in the Cal Poly teacher credentialing program to gain some practical experience and establish collegial relationships with existing SLCUSD staff. Students majoring in other subjects are also encouraged to apply.
We have credential required teacher positions (for those expected to complete the program in June - $41/hour) and non credential required activity leader positions ($30/hour) for those who will not yet have a credential.
Details about our Summer Experience program are included in this BROCHURE. Candidates have the option of working the full 6 week program from Jun 17 - Jul 31 OR the first 3 weeks or second 3 weeks. Elementary and secondary school site positions are available. Interested candidates should complete this JOB INTEREST SURVEY in order to be contacted by SLCUSD staff for a short online interview. Hiring is underway so the sooner the survey is completed the better.
January 30, 2024 News
Learn By Doing -- Language in Action with Joshua Gottschalk
Joshua Gottschalk, a third-year Biomedical Engineering undergraduate with a Minor in French, ventured abroad during 2023 for a plethora of activities! Before embarking on the CEA Engineering Study Abroad program hosted through Cal Poly, Josh conducted an Internship at the Institut du Cerveau (ICM) otherwise known as the Paris Brain Institute, located in the Hopital Salpetriere complex in the 13th arrondissment of Paris, France. Starting the two-month internship in June, Josh more than broadened his professional horizons. Through experiences such as fluorescent stainings, light-sheet microscopes, mice surgeries, MRI’s and much more, Josh extended his medical engineering career all the way to France!
The Shelf - SLO County/City Library
Language study scholarship
University for Foreigners of Perugia and Rotary club Perugia are offering scholarships to foreign students interested in spending the month of July at the University of Foreigners of Perugia. It offers full tuitions, room and board, and registration fees for field trips. More info here: https://www.unistrapg.it/sites/default/files/docs/borse-di-studio/bando-Rotary-24-ENG.pdf