Priorities & Projects
Fulfilling the promise of a bright tomorrow
The university president allocated $20 million from the Bright Tomorrow Fund over a four-year period, from 2025 to 2029, to catalyze Cal Poly Pomona’s institutional philanthropic priorities: Future Paths, Emerging Technologies and Campus Modernization. These interrelated priorities align with the university’s Strategic Plan, Principles of Community and the university’s role as a steward of place.
Organized by philanthropic priority, below are the currently funded projects:
Future Paths
As part of a comprehensive educational experience, Cal Poly Pomona launches students into a lifetime of success through experiential learning, career training and professional readiness that prepares them for the future of work and empowers them as leaders in their communities.
Open to all students, CPP’s micro-internship program offers short-term, paid, project-based experiences (5 to 40 hours) that allow students to build skills, networks, and portfolios while working with faculty and industry partners. Learn more about micro-internships at CPP.
Workforce Innovation & Career Engagement (WICE) at Cal Poly Pomona advances high-impact career pathways through strategic industry partnerships, employer-informed training and upskilling, and facilitating meaningful employment outcomes that promote lifelong learning, economic mobility, and student success. Learn more about WICE.
Lightcast Alumni Pathways provides data-driven insights into CPP alumni career outcomes, strengthening program evaluation, recruitment, and equity efforts while demonstrating the long-term value of a CPP degree.
A public-private partnership with Ultimate Staffing Services, Bronco CareerWorks brings professional recruitment expertise directly to campus, strengthening the school-to-employment pipeline by connecting students to paid, career-aligned opportunities while developing their confidence, skills, and networks to succeed in a rapidly changing employment landscape. Learn more about Bronco CareerWorks.
A three-year branding initiative to raise the visibility and reputation of Cal Poly Pomona as a premier, affordable and inclusive polytechnic university and to support enrollment goals. Learn more about the campaign.
Emerging Technologies
Working across disciplines, Cal Poly Pomona energizes our polytechnic advantage by providing opportunities to gain foundational and applied skills in emerging innovations and rapidly evolving fields, such as artificial intelligence, geographic information systems and cybersecurity, while also addressing societal needs shifting due to technological change.
Working at the intersection of humanistic inquiry and emerging technologies, the Digital Humanities Consortium (DHC) champions the digital humanities work of faculty and students by serving as a hub that aligns efforts and resources and develops unique programming as a platform for student and faculty development in this burgeoning field. Learn more about the DHC.
Provides critical investments in resources that elevate interdisciplinary research, student training, and career readiness in biotechnology, agriculture, biology and environmental science, making CPP a regional leader in scientific innovation.
Lab facility equipped with a series of virtual reality (VR) stations that will be paired with various simulators, such as TeachLive or Mursion (for education), Autodesk Live or Fuzor (for design), and Wander (for international travel).
Featuring advanced tools, AI integration, and flexible workspaces, the 6,000-square-foot facility will expand hands-on learning for Cal Poly Pomona students by enhancing collaboration, innovation and professional readiness while supporting more than 60 student clubs and competition teams.
A cutting-edge, technology-rich learning environment that integrates real-world finance applications, enhances career readiness, expands access to professional tools and strengthens corporate and donor partnerships, positioning CPP as a CSU innovation leader.
A comprehensive data representation of the Cal Poly Pomona campus to serve as a foundation tool to enhance planning, operations, sustainability, marketing, outreach, recruitment, and decision-making across the institution.
The GIS Lab Initiative upgrades the university’s GIS environment for students and aligns the new technology with the campus’s greater GIS strategy.
Focused on enhancing engagement with external constituents and supporting campus staff, Cal Poly Pomona’s AI Chatbot Initiative will engage Microsoft-related AI solutions in building chat technologies for the campus community.
Cal Poly Pomona’s AI Lab Initiative bolsters hands-on experience in AI for our students by upgrading campus technology and aligning with the university’s broader AI strategy. Learn more about AI at CPP.
Invests in upgraded technology to support additional augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) experiences for faculty to use in engaging with students.
Campus Modernization
To ensure our faculty, students and staff benefit from upgraded and modern facilities, Cal Poly Pomona is ramping up investments in campus infrastructure to create vibrant, inclusive and future-ready learning environments that preserve our legacy today and tomorrow.
The Covered Arena Project at Cal Poly Pomona’s W.K. Kellogg Arabian Horse Center will provide a weather-protected facility for horse training, teaching, and community engagement, enhancing experiential learning and the TeachingHorse leadership program. Learn more about the Covered Arena Project.
Investments in state-of-the-art lighting infrastructure and immersive sound experience, including updating the lighting system, modernizing the theater’s signage and space, and upgrading equipment that will breathe new life into the theatre.
Renovating the Huntley College of Agriculture’s former meat processing facility into a student-led center that expands hands-on, community-focused agricultural learning opportunities, including food processing, floral handling, and sustainability.
Revitalizing the Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch (RKR) and expanding Building 79A with a café, test kitchen, and ideation/incubation lab, this project enhances experiential learning, accessibility, and flexible instruction opportunities and reaffirms Cal Poly Pomona’s reputation.
As part of the multiphase renovation of Kellogg Arena, the project modernizes the 50-year-old facility to meet Title IX and ADA standards, ensuring equity, accessibility, and improved facilities that enhance the student-athlete experience and support the university’s commitment to inclusion.