Signature Polytechnic Experience (PolyX)

Signature Polytechnic Experiences (PolyX)

Signature polytechnic experiences (PolyX) at Cal Poly Pomona promote students’ discovery of the opportunities and challenges within the field and the development of creative and innovative solutions to those conditions. Through collaborative learning and intense mentoring, PolyX engages students beyond the classroom and prepares them for professional and civic success.

PolyX FYE Showcase

First-year students participate in a Signature Polytechnic Experience (PolyX) within their FYE courses and present their work at the PolyX Showcase each fall semester. This early immersion in Cal Poly Pomona's learn-by-doing approach and polytechnic advantage prepares students for success from their first semester. From multidisciplinary research to community-based projects, students demonstrate how they apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges. These showcases celebrate student achievement, collaboration, and innovation— and acts as an invitation to explore the future being built by Cal Poly Pomona’s emerging leaders!

 

PolyX offers you a one-of-a-kind educational experience through experiential learning, multi-disciplinary perspectives, collaboration and professional readiness.

For Students

Start Your PolyX Journey

For Faculty & Staff

Explore PolyX Opportunities

Upcoming

Fall 2026 PolyX Hub Applications
Application Window Now Closed (TBA)

Faculty and Staff, your opportunity to showcase your course or program as part of the PolyX community is right around the corner! Instructors who receive the PolyX designation will be featured on our PolyX Hub platform and recognized for the experiential learning opportunities they provide students, with ongoing publicity from the University and outreach efforts.

Application details and deadlines for Fall submissions will be announced soon. In the meantime, please visit the PolyX Faculty & Staff page or contact our team at polyx@cpp.edu to learn more.

Fall 2026 PolyX Writing Workshop
To Be Announced

Interested in applying for the PolyX Hub, but not sure where to start? You've come to the right place! The PolyX Writing Workshop is a supportive, collaborative space for faculty and staff across all colleges to develop and strengthen their PolyX applications. Join the Innovation Incubator Team and colleagues in this virtual workshop to receive guidance, share ideas, and gain clarity as you bring your PolyX ideas to life.

Event details will be announced soon. In the meantime, please visit the PolyX Faculty & Staff page or contact our team at polyx@cpp.edu to learn more.

Past

Fall PolyX FYE Showcase
Tuesday December 2nd, 2025

Our Fall PolyX FYE Showcase highlights the innovative work of Cal Poly Pomona students as they present research and creative projects developed in PolyX courses. Join us at the Bronco Student Center (BSC) in Ursa Major from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to celebrate the impact of experiential education and the dedication of our students and faculty mentors!

Curious About PolyX? Set Up A Meeting With Our Team To Learn More

URP 4310L/4230L: ENV Community Development Lab

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Brandy Chappell-Hill, Ph.D.

College of Environmental Design

E-mail: bnchappell@cpp.edu

Summary

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In Dr. Brandy Chappell-Hill's ENV Community Development Lab (URP 4230L), students engage in a year-long community planning studio that connects classroom learning with meaningful public impact. Working as professional consulting teams, students partner with local governments, public agencies, foundations, and community development organizations to address real-world planning challenges throughout Southern California. Through applied research, civic engagement, strategic planning, and policy development, students co-create solutions that support community needs while developing skills in collaboration, problem-solving, and public service. By producing tangible deliverables such as community vision plans, surveys, advocacy briefs, and implementation strategies, students gain valuable experience navigating the complexities of community development and urban planning practice.

Learn More About URP 4320/L

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KIN 2050: Zine Making and Well-Being

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Hector Mackie, Ph.D.

College of Science

E-mail: hmackie@cpp.edu

Summary

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In Dr. Hector Mackie's Zine Making and Well-Being (KIN 2050), students explore health and wellness through interdisciplinary, justice-centered frameworks that examine the social, cultural, and political factors influencing health outcomes. Drawing from decolonial perspectives, intersectional approaches, and the biopsychosocial model, students investigate critical public health issues and conduct independent research on topics meaningful to them. They then transform their findings into creative, research-informed zines designed for public audiences. Through this process, students develop critical thinking, communication, and creative problem-solving skills while producing community-facing resources that extend learning beyond the classroom and contribute to broader conversations about health equity and well-being.

Learn More About KIN 2050

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MU 3440: Interdisciplinary Music Making at CPP

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Christine Lee-Song, Ph.D.

College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences

E-mail: cslee1@cpp.edu

Summary

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In Dr. Christine Lee-Song's Interdisciplinary Music Making at CPP (MU 3440A: String Ensemble), music majors and non-music majors come together to learn, create, and perform challenging musical repertoire through hands-on learning experiences. Working in both full ensemble and chamber music settings, students develop artistic, communication, leadership, and teamwork skills through intensive mentorship and collaborative rehearsal processes. Students also engage in creative work by performing original compositions and premiering works by CPP faculty and professional composers. Through performances on campus, in local schools, and at community venues, students share their work with diverse audiences while building meaningful connections across disciplines and gaining real-world experience in artistic collaboration and public engagement.

Learn More About CPP's Music Department

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PolyX Center for Primary Source Literacy & Archival Practice (PSLAP)

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Katie Richardson,
David Castro,
and Andrew Kopp

University Library
E-mail: kjrichardson@cpp.edu

Summary

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In the PolyX Center for Primary Source Literacy and Archival Practice (PSLAP), led by Katie Richardson, David Castro, and Andrew Kopp, students participate in a cohort-based archival research experience that combines hands-on learning with meaningful institutional and community impact. Housed within Cal Poly Pomona Library's Special Collections & Archives, the program immerses students in authentic archival and digital scholarship projects that address challenges related to preservation, access, representation, and public memory. Working with rare books, manuscripts, audiovisual materials, and digital records, students develop professional competencies in archival processing, metadata creation, digital preservation, and public access workflows. Through the creation of finding aids, digital collections, exhibits, and research resources, students contribute directly to the stewardship and accessibility of the university's historical collections while strengthening their research, collaboration, and career-ready skills in a professional environment.

Learn More About PSLAP and How to Get Involved

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