Open House Committee and Co-Chairs
Open House Committee
Open House Committee is the group of students that are responsible for planning and implementing the entirety of Cal Poly's annual Open House weekend. They work with campus and community partners to put on an event-filled weekend that showcases all that Cal Poly has done and is currently doing and celebrates current students, families, and alumni.
Interested in getting involved with Open House?
Open House Committee is open to students of all years, majors, and backgrounds! If you'd like to learn more or apply, feel free to review the Open House Committee Application page here, or reach out to us at orientation@calpoly.edu for more information.
As Open House draws closer, we will also be looking for volunteers for events throughout the weekend. Check back in winter and spring for more information on these volunteering opportunities!
| Co-Chairs | |
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Gabby Pajo
Fourth Year Art & Design Hometown: Sacramento, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Farmers' Market and Spark Yoga
Favorite Song: Somewhere Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Students, your success will not be linear and that is okay. Do not be afraid to ask for help, your pride will thank you later. You are not too cool to call your parents and supporters -- you will soon realize how awesome the sheer magnitude of their love and support can never truly be described. Last, challenge your peers, professors, and most importantly, yourself.
Top 5 Strengths: Includer, WOO, Individualization, Arranger, Futuristic |
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Becs Phan
Fourth Year Biological Sciences Hometown: South Pasadena, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: SLO Donut Company
Favorite Song: 1998 - Chet Faker
How do you like to spend your free time? Eating donuts and watching sunsets, preferably at the same time.
Top 5 Strengths: Individualization, Activator, Communication, Positivity, WOO |
| Alumni & Anniversary Celebration Committee Lead & Vice Chair | |
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Junior Vasquez Second Year Biological Sciences Hometown: Escondido, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Montaña de Oro
Favorite Song: Give a Little Love - Peasants King
How do you like to spend your free time? I love being at the zoo.
Top 5 Strengths: Futuristic, Maximizer, Intellection, Discipline, Harmony |
| Committee Members | |
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Alisha Solis
Second Year Business Administration Hometown: San Jose, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Slodoco <3
Favorite Song: Crazy in Love by Beyonce
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? My advice for potential Cal Poly students is to get involved as quickly as you can and don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. My advice for potential Cal Poly supporters is that if your student ends up at Cal Poly, remember they are at a wonderful place with some of the kindest people on earth and they will grow more than ever during their time here.
Top 5 Strengths: Discipline, Harmony, Responsibility, Maximizer, Individualization |
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Amber Sylvester
First Year English Hometown: Torrance, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Hiking the Cal Poly P
Favorite Song: Humble and Kind by Tim McGraw
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? You get out what you put in so get involved and put your full effort into everything that you do.
Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Strategic, Restorative, Adaptability, Communication |
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Bridget Parry
Second Year Anthropology & Geography Major, Spanish Minor Hometown: Lafayette, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Perfumo Canyon or Olde Port dog beach
Favorite Song: Tightrope by Walk the Moon
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Get involved! Joining different clubs and organizations on campus gave me an amazing support system and helped me find my home here at Cal Poly.
Top 5 Strengths: Includer, Futuristic, Restorative, Focus, Analytical |
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Charlotte Miranda
First Year Environmental Earth and Soil Science Hometown: Livermore, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: The Arboretum on campus!
Favorite Song: Shake It Off by Taylor Swift :)
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't be afraid to try something new!
Top 5 Strengths: Focus, Input, Learner, Achiever, Discipline |
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Chris Leary
Fourth Year Biochemistry Major, Industrial Technology & Packaging Minor Hometown: Coronado, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: West Cuesta Ridge
Favorite Song: Money Trees by Kendrick Lamar
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Reach out and connect with as many people as you can! There are a lot of fantastic people at Cal Poly, but you won't be able to meet them unless you reach out and make the connections.
Top 5 Strengths: Strategic, Learner, Ideation, Individualization, Achiever |
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Christopher Almacen
Second Year Economics Major, Mathematics Minor Hometown: San Ramon, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Rec Center
Favorite Song: Because of You by Ne-Yo
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? My advice is to get out of your comfort zone and have an open mind to try new things.
Top 5 Strengths: Competition, Analytical, Achiever, Context, Focus |
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Connie Hsieh
Fourth Year Agricultural Business Major, Dance Minor Hometown: San Ramon, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Slodoco
Favorite Song: Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Step outside your comfort zone. Join clubs, get involved, and enjoy what Cal Poly has to offer. Take advantage of all there is and you will be so surprised at how much you can grow as a person and student in a few short years!
Top 5 Strengths: Harmony, Responsibility, Restorative, Futuristic, Positivity |
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Halie Swanson
Third Year History Major, Psychology and Spanish Minor Hometown: Thousand Oaks, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: On Avila Beach eating Blaze pizza
Favorite Song: Peanut Butter Jelly by Galantis
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Try something that scares you - it may end up being something you love.
Top 5 Strengths: Learner, Achiever, Relator, Arranger, Developer |
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Hayden Baker
Second Year Computer Science Hometown: Fresno, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: The ridge above the 'P'
Favorite Song: DyE by Fantasy
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? On your path, there will be many times when you may slip, but it’s just a slip, not a fall. Don't let fear of failure stop you from trying.
Top 5 Strengths: Context, Strategic, Learner, Restorative, Intellection |
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Jack Giosso
Third Year Agricultural Business Major, Italian Minor Hometown: Alamo, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: The Rec Center Pool
Favorite Song: Somebody to Thank by Logan Mize
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Be ready to throw yourself into the mix. College is a time of new experiences and new opportunities, so don’t shy away from taking that risk, joining that club, or making that new connection with someone that could end up being your lifelong friend.
Top 5 Strengths: Positivity, Includer, Achiever, WOO, Adaptability |
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Jen Galasso
Fourth Year Biology Major, Psychology Minor Hometown: Napa, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Front Porch
Favorite Song: Oops! I Did it Again by Britney Spears
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and be a little uncomfortable. You never know, if you do that you may find your new home :)
Top 5 Strengths: Developer, Individualization, Restorative, Futuristic, Harmony |
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Jena Van Gerwen
Third Year Environmental Management and Protection Major with a minor in Sustainable Environments Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Front Porch
Favorite Song: Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't wait until you reach your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of each step you take toward reaching that goal.
Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Context, Individualization, Harmony, Connectedness |
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Joanna Birns
Third Year History Major, Chinese Minor Hometown: Oxnard, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: My favorite spot in SLO is Terrace Hill! It's a perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Favorite Song: Wildflowers by Tom Petty
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Get involved in college! Whether that be through joining clubs, groups, or sports teams, getting involved is a great way to meet people, find a community, and do something you're passionate about.
Top 5 Strengths: Input, Restorative, Individualization, Includer, Ideation |
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Justin Spitzer
Second Year Mechanical Engineering Hometown: Orange, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Rec Center!
Favorite Song: Body Like a Back Road by Sam Hunt
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? I understand you may be nervous about this new change in your life but everyone who is at Cal Poly and who is on this committee has been in your place. I personally was in that place about a year and a half ago when I attended Open House. Currently, I am working to plan a part of Open House for all prospective students and supporters only a year and a half later. Just know that Cal Poly is a beautiful place full of amazing people and is the perfect place to embrace change in your life.
Top 5 Strengths: Consistency, Restorative, Includer, Developer, Communication |
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Maura Carrick
Second Year Political Science with a Concentration in Global Politics and Spanish and Ethnic Studies Minors Hometown: Pleasanton, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Perfumo Canyon
Favorite Song: Drops of Jupiter by Train
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Change is the only contestant life can promise. We don't have any control over it, so just take a deep breath, smile, and remember that everything is going to work out :)
Top 5 Strengths: WOO, Communication, Positivity, Includer, Learner |
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Michael Carvajal
Second Year Business Administration Hometown: Valley Center, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: SloDoCo
Favorite Song: Daylight by Maroon 5
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Top 5 Strengths: Futuristic, Relator, Restorative, Analytical, Belief |
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Michael Sassano
Second Year Graphic Communication Hometown: Fresno, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Bishop Peak
Favorite Song: Wonders by The Script
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't be afraid to take risks and step outside of your comfort zone.
Top 5 Strengths: Includer, WOO, Positivity, Achiever, Belief |
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Mikaela Reed
Third Year Industrial Engineering Hometown: Merced, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Prefumo Canyon
Favorite Song: Oh! Darling by The Beatles
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? In everything you pursue, do it early and do it often! From getting involved on campus to studying for tests, being prepared will leave you ready to take on any obstacle thrown your way.
Top 5 Strengths: Analytical, Restorative, Futuristic, Input, Strategic |
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Nicholas Tolas
First Year Computer Engineering Hometown: Tacoma, Washington
Favorite Spot in SLO: Architecture Graveyard
Favorite Song: Moving to New York by The Wombats
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't be afraid to fail! You never grow without experiencing new things.
Top 5 Strengths: Connectedness, Achiever, Learner, Responsibility, Arranger |
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Paris Vastagh
Third Year Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing Hometown: Napa, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Avila Beach - On Campus the Arboretum
Favorite Song: Drew Barrymore by SZA
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? College goes by very fast, so make the most of it! Try new things, and explore the opportunities that are presented to you. Remember to relax and enjoy the moment; not everyone gets to experience college in the happiest and one of the most beautiful places in the country, so take advantage of that.
Top 5 Strengths: Positivity, Harmony, Developer, Empathy, WOO |
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Randie Billesbach
Second Year Liberal Studies Major, Spanish Minor Hometown: Valencia, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: The sand dunes at Montaña de Oro
Favorite Song: Multiplied by NEEDTOBREATHE
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone! I have gotten the chance to experience amazing things and make incredible memories by getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Responsibility, Discipline, Relator, Learner |
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Samana Shah
First Year Mathematics Hometown: Saratoga, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Montaña de Oro
Favorite Song: Aloha by Mome
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Do not be afraid to ask for help - there are so many resources on campus.
Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Achiever, Responsibility, Discipline, Competition |
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Shelby Dewberry
Fourth Year Journalism, PR Concentration; Integrated Marketing Communications Minor; Law and Society Minor Hometown: Laguna Hills, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Montaña de Oro
Favorite Song: Coming Over by Dillion Francis
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Cal Poly is so much more than just the physical campus! Make sure to take advantage of all of San Luis Obispo (and see how widespread Cal Poly's influence is in our little community)
Top 5 Strengths: Intellection, Input, Futuristic, Belief, Learner |
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Sheri Dear
First Year Business Administration Hometown: Alameda, California
Favorite Spot in SLO: Rec Center
Favorite Song: Changes every day, but right now Find You by Nick Jonas
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Cal Poly SLO is school that challenges students with rigorous academics, while still giving them a balance to find new friends, join new clubs and make everlasting memories.
Top 5 Strengths: Restorative, Relator, Responsibility, Includer, Arranger |
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Skelly Carosella
Second Year Kinesiology Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Favorite Spot in SLO: The ridge above the "P"
Favorite Song: Mr. Redundant by RKS
What advice do you have for potential Cal Poly students and supporters? Keep an open mind. I never imagined I would attend college so far away from my family and friends, but I couldn't be happier in my new SLOme!
Top 5 Strengths: Positivity, Relator, Developer, Learner, Empathy |
