March 2026

Aligning Education and Workforce Need

I recently had the opportunity to join colleagues from Allan Hancock College and Santa Barbara City College at the REACH Ideas + Action Summit in Santa Barbara. With more than 400 leaders from across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties in attendance, the event underscored the important role community colleges play in addressing regional workforce needs.

Cuesta College was highlighted as a workforce engine through our Aviation Maintenance Technician program in partnership with ACI Jet. The program is preparing students for high-demand careers that support strong, sustainable wages here on the Central Coast.

Cuesta College proudly celebrates the achievements of Roy Calhoun, a Paso Robles native and Marine Corps veteran. After stepping away from a high-cost aviation program, Roy enrolled in Cuesta’s Aviation Maintenance Technician program, where he gained the skills and support needed to succeed. Today, he is a graduate of the program and working at ACI Jet. Roy’s journey exemplifies the impact of accessible, workforce-aligned education and the power of strong partnerships to create meaningful opportunities for students.

The summit also reinforced the value of collaboration across higher education. In a video presentation, Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong noted that community colleges are not feeders, but partners. That perspective reflects our approach to building clear, connected pathways that support students from entry through completion.

As we move through the semester, I am grateful for the partnerships that make this work possible and for our shared commitment to student success across the region.

Warm regards,

Cuesta Awarded $1.2 Million STEM Scholarship Grant

Cuesta College has been awarded a six-year, $1.2 million National Science Foundation Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S-STEM) grant to support low-income students pursuing degrees in computing and engineering. Cuesta will implement this program in partnership with Cal Poly and Allan Hancock College.

The grant, titled Building a Computing and Engineering Network to Foster Academic Excellence Among Low-income Scholars, will provide scholarships along with academic and career support designed to help students persist and succeed in high-demand STEM fields.

This award reflects Cuesta College’s continued commitment to expanding access and strengthening pathways in disciplines that are critical to the region’s future. Congratulations to faculty co-principal investigators Tafadzwa Dube and Bret Clark for their leadership in securing this important investment in student success.

Campus Standouts

Spanish Teacher Wins Statewide Honor

Victor Lucio, Spanish Faculty, was announced as the winner of the California Language Teachers’ Association (CLTA) Memorial Scholarship for 2026. The award includes the opportunity to make a presentation at next year’s annual conference and a grant to defray travel expenses. Congratulations Victor on this recognition!

Two-Sport Athlete Named to Honor Roll

Two-sport athlete Hailey Hallford, women’s soccer and softball, has been selected as a member of the 2024-25 3C2A Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll. Honor Roll acknowledges athletic and academic achievements of high achieving individuals among the 24,000 student-athletes that compete annually. Congratulations to Hailey and her coaches Paige Johnson and Jenel Guadagno.

Inspiring Future Cougars Through Edúcate

Cuesta College welcomed 320 local high school students for this year’s Edúcate – Sí Se Puede event, providing 9th through 11th graders with an opportunity to explore college pathways and envision their future. Thanks to the dedication of our outreach team and volunteers, the day offered a meaningful introduction to higher education and reinforced our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for students across our region.

Preparing for Accreditation: ISER Update

Cuesta College is progressing through the first draft of its Institutional Self-Evaluation Report (ISER), documenting how the college meets the ACCJC Standards. The drafting process is iterative, with opportunities for faculty, staff, and administrators to provide feedback, ensuring the report reflects both institutional rigor and the human impact of the college’s work on behalf of students and the community.

The ISER is scheduled for submission in December 2026, with review by an external evaluation team in March 2027 and a campus visit in Fall 2027. This will be the first evaluation under the ACCJC Standards adopted in 2024 and the first within the new eight-year accreditation cycle.

The contributions of the campus community are central to this process, strengthening the report and reinforcing Cuesta College’s ongoing commitment to student success and institutional excellence.

Upcoming Events

Dr. Okey Ndibe, Free Author Lecture and Q&A

April 24, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Associated Students Auditorium on the SLO Campus

The community is invited to an enlightening conversation with Dr. Okey Ndibe facilitated by Cuesta College historian Dr. Billy Keniston. Dr. Ndibe will share more about his extensive work and publication, “Eyes to the Ground: The Perils of the Black Student.”

Susan Straight, Author Lecture and Book Signing

April 28, 5 - 7 p.m., Harold J. Miossi CPAC on the SLO Campus

Susan Straight, acclaimed California writer, will be speaking about her most recent novel, Sacrament, the 17th Annual Cuesta College Book of the Year. Book signing to follow! Get tickets.

Other Updates Around Campus

Study Jam Growth

Midterm Study Jam participation continues to rise, with 286 students at the North County Campus (up 25.6%) and 490 students at the SLO campus (up 34.6%) compared to last spring. Thank you to everyone who helped make this an impactful resource for students.

SLO Campus Center

Wysong Construction has completed the build of the SLO Campus Center. Final technology and furniture installation are underway, with move-in expected over several weeks leading up to commencement.

NCC Instructional Building

Construction remains ahead of schedule, with major elements now in place. The building is on track to be ready for the Fall 2026 term.

Cougar Women's Track & Field Honored

The Cougar Women’s Track and Field Team was selected as Scholar Team Recipient for the 2024-25 academic year by 3C2A. Congratulations to our student athletes and coaches Robert Neely, Mike Kinter, Madeline Fletcher, Makaylie Howell, and Sabrina Van Beek.

Over $6 Million in Pell Grants Awarded to Students

Cuesta College’s Financial Aid team has made a strong impact in supporting students this spring. Following the March 2 priority deadline, the college has already received 5,128 student records for 2026–27, reflecting strong engagement with the application process. This year, more than $6 million in Pell Grants have been awarded to 2,285 Cuesta students, helping reduce financial barriers and keep students on track toward their educational goals.

Explore Measure L and Its Impact to Cuesta College and Our Community

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