Happy March COMS Mustangs!

This newsletter is designed to help keep majors, minors, faculty, and staff up-to-date so you can learn about news, career advice, events, networking opportunities, well-wishes, and inspirational stories surrounding your peers and community.

Announcements

• March 7: Representing yourself during an interview: elevator pitches and mock job interviews. 

Lambda Pi Eta
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) is hosting a Finals Study Session (for LPH members only, including new members) and will be offering free donuts! The study session event will take place on March 14 from 11:00am-1:00pm in building 21 room 204 (Engineering west by Dexter Lawn).

CSU Research Competition
The COMS department is proud to celebrate the work of our student researchers who participated in the February 24-25 Cal Poly Student Research Competition! Be sure to congratulate your peers who presented the following projects at the event:

• Ava Schafbuch (COMS) presented her project titled the Impact of Marketing of Online Mental Health Services on College Students (advisor: Dr. Anu Dhillon). 
• Abigail Dorman (COMS), Scott Collier (PHIL), and Mackenzie Demay (COMS) presented their project titled "I'm Not Insane. My Mother Had Me Tested”:  Examining Reactions to Atypical Behaviors in Young Sheldon (advisor: Dr. Aubrie Adams). 

Wrestling Team News
Congrats to our COMS students on the wrestling team! The Cal Poly Wrestling team defeated Stanford and Oregon State in late February to compile a perfect 5-0 conference record and claim the PAC-12 Duel meet Title. A perfect win to Cap of Senior night. Two COMS Students are a part of the team: Lawrence Saenz and Adam Kemp. Lawrence Saenz won both his matches 12-2 and 3-1 in Sudden victory, respectively, while Adam Kemp is currently ranked 18th in the country nationally.

Advisor Award Nominations 
Do you know an advisor who has made a difference in your educational journey? Nominate an outstanding professor who has influenced your life in a significant and meaningful way for the Cal Poly Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award! Nominations are due by Monday, March 5, at 5pm. For more information visit the nomination website.  

Students & Alumni Spotlights
We're proud to share the amazing stories of our current students and alumni! This month, we're spotlighting the work and leadership of COMS Alumna, Julianna Quihuiz. Julianna Graduated in June 2021 and after graduating, she was part of the COVID-19 Equity Project in Fresno County, as a Community Health Worker. In 2022 she’s working as a Business Development Representative with Stellic, a degree management EdTech company founded by 1st generation leaders. 

Events & Opportunities

Defining Her Future Leadership Conference
The Women in Business's annual Defining Her Future Leadership Conference (DHF) is Friday, March 3, 8am-4pm in the PAC. The event will feature networking opportunities, motivational speakers, and giveaways! For more information, you can visit @Definingherfuture on Instagram!

Climate Anxiety Support Group
Does climate change make you feel stressed, upset, or full of existential dread? Many students and faculty struggle with anxiety about climate change but talking things through with others can help! That’s why senior project student, Elliana Blumenfeld, is organizing workshops to do just that. At these workshops, you’ll learn about techniques that can help you manage climate anxiety. The next workshop takes place Thursday, March 9 from 11:10-12 (Zoom meeting ID: 883 3288 1221).

Playwriting Competition
The Annual Playwriting Competition is currently accepting original student-written one acts to be considered for the Spring Quarter Directing Class. This is a great opportunity to have your work produced and performed by students in the Spring One Act Festival. You can direct questions and submissions to studentsstage@gmail.com by Friday, March 10. 

Social Science Student Symposium
Looking for an opportunity to share the results of your class research papers in a supportive and casual student-centered environment? Submit your research to the 48th Annual CSU Social Science Student Symposium (S4). The event takes place Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at CSU Channel Islands and the due date to submit your research is Monday, March 27, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. This event is a wonderful resume-building and student networking opportunity! For more information, visit the S4 Website.

Reboot Storytelling Theater
The Reboot is a LIVE story show in garden theater under the stars in Morro Bay. They are seeking students & adults who love communicating and connecting with an audience, feature free shows, and provide opportunities for practice. They are always looking to bring new voices to The Reboot stage! If anyone has a "rough diamond" idea around one of the upcoming themes, a story coach will "workshop" it with them to turn it into a polished gem to perform for a LIVE audience of story lovers. For more information, visit the Reboot Facebook page. 

Faculty News 

Cal Poly Service Awards Reception
Big congrats to our COMS professors who are being celebrated at the annual Cal Poly Service Awards Reception on March 9! The Annual Service Awards is a Presidential event recognizing the accomplishments of State, Corporation, and Associated Students Inc. (ASI) employees who have completed employment milestones of 10 or more years of cumulative service to Cal Poly. The following COMS faculty with milestone service anniversaries in 2022 will be recognized this year. 

• Professor Rebecca Laidlaw - Celebrating 20 years of service
• Professor Chris Skiles - Celebrating 20 Years of service 

Dr. Alexa Loken
Dr. Loken is organizing an exciting travel abroad opportunity for students! Students will be able to earn UC credit in Costa Rica this summer by participating in the Eco-Entrepreneurship. Dr. Loken will help them learn about the responsible interactions between human and natural communities, working to ensure a long-term and sustainable future. For more information, visit the Global Learning Study Abroad page.

Sharing is Caring

Do you have an announcement to share with COMS majors, minors, faculty, and staff? Email Dr. Brie to find out how to share it! Follow COMS on Social Media: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn