Recent News
Drs. Greenwood, Janke, Donnegan and Schwab ebook launched! "More than a Motto: Cal Poly's Learn by Doing" ebook!
Oct 18, 2017
Read ebook Learn by Doing - the Meaning Behind Cal Poly Learn by Doing Signature
Torrey Van Winden - Cal Poly Mustangs.com article
Oct 16, 2017
Coca-Cola Cal Poly Student-Athlete of the Week: Torrey Van Winden
article from Cal Poly Mustangs Athletic and Academic Excellence website
Torrey Van Winden, Sophomore, Outside Hitter, 6-3, Napa, CA | Vintage High School
SAN LUIS OBISPO — For the third time this season, women's volleyball sophomore outside hitter Torrey Van Winden has been named the Coca-Cola Cal Poly Student-Athlete of the Week.
Fun facts from Cal Poly Mustang article, " parents, Jim & Kelly, are each Cal Poly alumni who were also student-athletes ... Jim was an All-CCAA honorable mention basketball player as a senior in 1985-86 when Cal Poly won a conference title, finishing his career No. 6 in program history in rebounds (498), while Kelly was an All-PCAA First Team selection for the volleyball team in 1984-85, and still holds the single-match school record for hitting percentage (.850, vs. LMU) ... older sister Adlee is a Cal Poly teammate, entering her junior year in 2017 as an all-conference outside hitter for the Mustangs ... chose Cal Poly because it “feels like home” ... majors in Recreation, Parks & Tourism Administration ... aspires to play pro beach volleyball."
Van Winden currently ranks in the top five in the Big West in hitting percentage (.354), kills per set (4.71), and points per set (5.30).
Anthonia Edgren [RPTA '13], Earns National Association of Higher Education and Family Programs Professionals Award!
Dec 14, 2016
Anthonia Edgren, [RPTA '13] Receives National Award
Anthonia Edgren is a lead specialist for Cal Poly Parent and Family Programs and Commencement, received a top award in early November at the national AHEPPP conference (Association of Higher Education Parent and Family Programs Professionals) in Boulder, Colorado.
She was the recipient of the 2016 AHEPPP Outstanding New Professional Award for her exceptional leadership, innovation, outstanding contributions to our university and Student Affairs. This prestigious award recognized Anthonia for her dedicated service to parent and supporter engagement, significant promise in achieving greater leadership roles, and overall standard of excellence.
A proud two-time Cal Poly alumna, Anthonia continues to expand parent and supporter programming and resources at Cal Poly and upholds our honored commencement traditions while integrating innovative cost-saving solutions.
Parks and Recreation Magazine's November 2016 issue features Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Faculty.
Nov 17, 2016
Parks and Recreation Magazine's November 2016 issue features Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Faculty.
Does your agency face a challenge simply connecting with youth in your community? Do you have programs designed to get youth outdoors, but feel that the ever-changing landscape of social media and technology needed to reach them is a maze? Are your state-of-the-art outdoor recreation and education programs really cool but participation is waning?
In an effort to identify social media messages that resonate with youth, and that will ultimately encourage them to connect with nature, researchers from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, embarked on an exploratory investigation of urban youth's motives to spend time outdoors and their social media use. Rather than viewing social media and technology as the downfall of youth's engagement with nature, we sought to find out how agencies can capitalize on the convergence of nature and technology.
Despite the well-known mental, social and physical health benefits of spending time in nature, youth are increasingly disconnected from natural areas and outdoor recreation activities. This separation can hinder environmental awareness and opportunities for physical, social, and mental health enhancement. The impacts of limited contact with nature . . . [to continue reading select this link].
Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Hosted Brad Gessner as an Executive-in-Residence November 7 at PAC
Nov 2, 2016
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Department invited the public to attend Gessner’s keynote presentation on Nov. 7, at the Performing Arts Center Pavilion.
Brad Gessner, who is responsible for the overall management of the Los Angeles Convention Center was on campus as an executive-in-residence November 6-8.
Gessner, senior vice president and general manager of AEG Facilities, will lecture in classes and meet with faculty, students, industry members and the community to share his expertise regarding convention services, revenue generation, green practices and sustainable programs.
AEG is billed as one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. AEG is a subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, which owns, controls or is affiliated with a collection of companies including over 100 of the world’s preeminent facilities such as the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, Calif, the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. and the Coliseum, in Oakland, Calif.
The company secured the management and operations contracts for the Los Angeles Convention Center and the Hawai'i Convention Center in 2013.
Gessner is responsible for oversight and new contract acquisitions for the Convention Centers Department of AEG Facilities, including new business development, responding to request for proposals for convention center management, and oversight of all management agreements for convention centers.
About Experience Industry Management Experience Industry Management is the facilitation of experiences across all sectors of industries related to tourism, hospitality, event planning, outdoor recreation management, community recreation, and sport management. It is one of nine departments in Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Graduates of the program have started their careers at some of the industry’s most compelling organizations, such as the San Francisco Giants, Pebble Beach Resorts, Apple, and George P. Johnson.
About Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, comprehensive polytechnic university. The university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is comprised of expert faculty members who take pride in their ability to transform academically motivated students into innovative professionals ready to solve the complex challenges associated with feeding the world in sustainable ways. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, including ranch land, orchards, vineyards and forests, all of which provide the basis for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing methodology. It is the fifth-largest college of agriculture in the country, with 4,000 undergraduate students.
First of its kind in California — Cal Poly RPTA Changes Department Name to Experience Industry Management
Sep 14, 2016
Contact: Bill Hendricks
805-756-1288; whendric@calpoly.edu
The Department of Experience Industry Management the Latest Addition to Cal Poly
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration Department has changed its name to the Experience Industry Management Department — making it the first of its kind in California.
The new department name encompasses the national shift that blends tourism, travel, experiences, social media, travel platforms, sustainability, food, wine, culinary arts, culture, sports, outdoor recreation, conventions and meetings, and events.
This change enables the program to become a leader in developing Cal Poly graduates who will contribute to an industry that is an economic driver and catalyst for the high quality of life of Californians.
“It is more encompassing of what our students and alumni actually do for their careers,” said Department Head Bill Hendricks. “It is cutting edge in terms of educating students to plan, co-create, deliver, and manage experiences that impact quality of life and economic vitality. It also fits with our vision: to cultivate leaders and innovators in industries that promote healthy lifestyles, protect memorable places, and facilitate life-enhancing experiences for individuals, communities, and the global society.”
Today, nearly 65 percent of the department’s 300 students are enrolled in the event planning and management or the hospitality and tourism management concentrations.
Cal Poly students majoring in recreation, parks and tourism administration are graduating and accepting jobs as global event strategy managers, event coordinators for employee experiences at companies such as LinkedIn, professional sports teams, and hospitality, tourism and recreation organizations at esteemed locations and destinations throughout the world.
“Few universities across the country can replicate the marriage of Cal Poly’s Agribusiness, Food Science and Nutrition, Wine and Viticulture, and Experience Industry Management departments,” said Dean Andrew Thulin. “This move places Cal Poly at the forefront nationally in the development of experience industry management as an academic program.”
About Experience Industry Management
Experience Industry Management is the facilitation of experiences across all sectors of industries related to tourism, hospitality, event planning, outdoor recreation management, community recreation, and sport management. It is one of nine departments in Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. Graduates of the program have started their careers at some of the industry’s most compelling organizations, such as the San Francisco Giants, Pebble Beach Resorts, Apple, and George P. Johnson.
About Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Cal Poly is a nationally ranked, comprehensive polytechnic university. The university’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is comprised of expert faculty members who take pride in their ability to transform academically motivated students into innovative professionals ready to solve the complex challenges associated with feeding the world in sustainable ways. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, including ranch land, orchards, vineyards and forests, all of which provide the basis for Cal Poly’s Learn by Doing methodology. It is the fifth-largest college of agriculture in the country, with 4,000 undergraduate students.
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Five Cows are at Cal Poly! Bring your family and come see for yourself! Check out all 101 cows with map at http://cowparadeslo.com/
Aug 25, 2016
Contact: Cal Poly RPTA and Cow Parade SLO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA— Cal Poly Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration at California Polytechnic State University and artist Deprise Breschia have joined forces to bring "See Cow Do" to Madonna Inn Meadows. Unveiling of all cows Saturday, September 17 starting at 10 AM until 5 PM.
Cal Poly RPTA's Dr. Keri Schwab Expert on WalletHub
Jul 1, 2016
Contact: Cal Poly RPTA reprinted with permission from WalletHub
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA— Dr. Keri Schwab, Assistant Professor of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration at California Polytechnic State University was featured by WalletHub recently. Topic of discussion - Are staycations a good money-saving idea?
Cal Poly RPTA Students volunteered at the Super Bowl City events as part of Super Bowl 50!
Feb 1, 2016
30 Cal Poly RPTA Students volunteered last weekend at Super Bowl City events as part of Super Bowl 50!
30 Cal Poly RPTA Students volunteered last weekend at Super Bowl City events as part of Super Bowl 50!Leaders of the Cal Poly RPTA Department, Dr. Bill Hendricks and Dr. Keri Schwab and student group leaders coordinated department efforts supporting a team of 30 RPTA Student Volunteers. Students worked as "greeters" during Super Bowl City!
As part of Super Bowl City more than 30 free concerts at The City Stage with headliners Alicia Keys, Aleo Blacc, OneRepublic, The Band Perry, Matt Nathanson, and Chris Isaak.
OneRepublic performed a free concert at the City Stage! 
Next time say YES to volunteering and say YES to FREE Super Bowl t-shirt, backpack, raincoat, jacket, Cal Poly drawstring backpack, safety whistles, and lots and lots of FUN! Thanks for representing Cal Poly RPTA at Super Bowl 50!
What's going on in RPTA? 40th Anniversary Celebration at The Cliffs Resort! Have you invited your parents? SOLD OUT!
See you at The Cliffs on February 27th!
Cal Poly RPTA Advisory Council Member Kris Koeberer Named COO of The California Parks Company
Jan 26, 2016
Kris Koeberer, 44, has been named Chief Operating Officer of The California Parks Company (TCPC), based in Fairfield.
Koeberer was previously TCPC’s Senior Vice President, Central Region, responsible for overseeing regional, state and national park concession operations from central to northern California. TCPC is California’s largest provider of park and marina concession services.
He now oversees all TCPC operations in California and Oregon, including lodging, marina, food service, admissions, campground, invasive species inspections and recreation concessions at Silver Falls State Park, Lake Shasta, Trinity Lake, Lassen Volcanic National Park, Angel Island State Park, Lake Camanche, Lake Chabot, Happy Hollow Park & Zoo, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, Lake Vaqueros, Lake San Antonio, Lake Nacimiento, Lake Gregory, Lake Hemet, Diamond Valley Lake, Vail Lake, Quagga Inspection Services and other TCPC locations.
Koeberer joined TCPC after graduation in 1994 from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo concentrating in International Studies. He subsequently held a number of managerial positions at TCPC-managed park concessions and was named vice president in 2001.
Media Contact: John Poimiroo, 916-933-8860, jpoimiroo@calparksco.com