By: Sophie Lincoln

BY: SOPHIE LINCOLN

FACES OF CAL POLY

Starting your freshman year at Cal Poly can be stressful and it can be difficult to navigate the various departments and facilities. At the end of the day though, Cal Poly is made up of people, and there are a lot of people who are more than willing to help you as you navigate college as a first-time freshman. Here are some campus community leaders you should know: ERICA STEWART

Once a Cal Poly student herself, San Luis Obispo’s mayor Erica Stewart is very involved in university-related issues. In addition to her mayoral duties, Stewart also works three quarters out of the year as the Assistant Director for Personnel and Marketing at Cal Poly’s Campus Health and Wellbeing. Her priorities include affordable housing for students and community members; diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; and supporting local businesses. Stewart also serves on the board of directors of the Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo (CAPSLO).

TRACI HOLMES LIBBY

If you’re active on any of Cal Poly’s numerous Facebook pages, you’ve probably heard the name Traci Holmes Libby before. Libby is not actually an official Cal Poly staff member, though many confuse her as such due to her expansive knowledge of the university and her active presence online. Libby is actually just the parent of a former Cal Poly student who decided to pay it forward by helping out incoming mustangs in the best way she can. If you’re on any of Cal Poly’s official class pages, look out for update posts from Libby throughout the year on topics from housing to food plans to coordinating rides home for break. Tess Loarie is the current president of Cal Poly’s Associated Students Incorporated (ASI). ASI is Cal Poly’s student government and is in charge of scholarships and funding for campus organizations, intramural sports, various campus events including therapy dogs, conferences and socials, and more. Though Loarie will soon be succeeded by next year’s ASI President, she will continue to lead the current class of ASI students and is available Wednesdays from 3 to 5 p.m. for office hours in the ASI Business Office in Cal Poly’s University Union.

TESS LOARIE