Case Study: Cal Poly sparks campus-wide DEI conversations and establishes a baseline for 21,000+ students with Vector Solutions' DiversityEdu

DiversityEdu Sparks “Intentional Conversation” About Inclusion at Cal Poly

Cal Poly, a nearly 22,000‑student university known for “learning by doing,” faced a “chilly and hostile” campus climate around identity and marginalization and needed a way to get everyone on the same page quickly. To set a consistent diversity, equity, and inclusion framework and reach students before classes began, Cal Poly partnered with Vector Solutions to deploy the customizable DiversityEdu 60‑minute module across campus.

Vector Solutions rolled out the DiversityEdu course as part of Week of Welcome with responsive support and facilitator guides, enabling quick, campuswide engagement. The program reached roughly 21,000+ students, established a baseline of DEI language and skills, sparked deeper student‑staff conversations, and positioned Cal Poly to expand small‑group discussions and extend training to resident advisors while continuing to customize the curriculum.

Cal Poly

Jamie Patton

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion