College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) Ambassadors

The CAFES Ambassadors is a college-wide student organization whose purpose is to act as a public relations team for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). The 2020-21 academic year will be the 32nd year the organization has worked to promote the college to prospective students, alumni, industry and government partners, donors and other stakeholders. The CAFES Ambassadors have been a positive influence on the quantity as well as the quality of applicants admitted to CAFES.

To stay up to date on CAFES Ambassadors' activities, visit their Facebook page.

Apply to be a 2021-22 Senior Ambassador here!

Spring Quarter 2021 Tours

CAFES Ambassadors host weekly virtual chat sessions with prospective students on Mondays from 6 - 7 p.m. starting March 29. You can register for these chats at Cal Poly Visit or by emailing CAFESAmbassadors@calpoly.edu.

2020-21 Officer Team

Hailey Baldwin — President

Agricultural Science

Hi all! My name is Hailey Baldwin, and I'm so honored to be serving as the CAFES Ambassadors President this year! I'm from Escondido, CA, which is in San Diego County, and I am excited to go into my senior year as an Agricultural Science Major and Agribusiness Minor on the Teaching Track. I'd love to gain experience working in the food marketing or wine & viticulture industry before eventually starting my career as a high school agricultural educator. For this year in CAFES Ambassadors, I am most looking forward to getting to know our new Ambassadors and helping more prospective students on their path to higher education through virtual tours. It's an interesting year to be starting at Cal Poly, but to make this transition smoother I recommend incoming students get involved in social and academic clubs to connect with students who have similar interests to you!

Marley Sollecito — Vice President

Agricultural Business

Hey y'all! My name is Marley Sollecito and I am honored to be serving as the CAFES Ambassadors Vice President! I am a fourth year Agricultural Business major and Agricultural Education minor from Spreckels, CA. After graduation I plan on going into the farming side of the industry, as well as continuing to help out at my local fairgrounds. I can't wait to share what Cal Poly's College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences has to offer to potential students through our virtual chats and hopefully on tours in person! My biggest piece of advice is to try new things by joining a variety of clubs no matter what your background is.

Colton Naylor — Secretary/Treasurer

Animal Science

Hi, my name is Colton Naylor, I am a 4th-year animal science major with a concentration in pre-vet. My goal is to become a large animal veterinarian in the production animal industry. I am most excited to see all the friendly faces of members and to watch them grow at a leader over the next year. My tip is for you is to get involved and participate as much as you because the reward is worth the work.

Beth Noel — Tours Chair

Agricultural Science

Hi friends! My name is Beth Noel and this year I am serving as the CAFES Ambassador's Tour's Chair. I am a fourth year Agricultural Science major with an emphasis in Animal Science and Dairy Industries minor from Hydesville, CA. After graduation I plan to become a high school agriculture teacher in California. This year I am most excited to make Ambassador tours accessible through Zoom and YouTube to promote learning about ag, food and environmental sciences even when we are not at Poly. My advice for incoming Cal Poly students is to join clubs and eat that Tri Tip!

Ashley Waymire — Recruitment & Retention Chair

Animal Science

My name is Ashley Waymire and I'm a second-year from Visalia, CA. I am majoring in Animal Science, and minoring in Ag Education and Dairy Industries. After graduation I hope to go into the agricultural industry for a few years before becoming a high school ag teacher. I am so excited to plan more socials like our Mario Kart social from last year and to give tours to prospective and incoming students! One piece of advice I have for incoming students is to join as many clubs as possible and see what you like, it's a great way to find people with similar interests and to build your Cal Poly community!

Nicolette Collier — Publicity Chair

Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration

Hi everyone! My name is Nicolette Collier and I'm a third-year from Santa Clarita, CA. I am majoring in Experience Industry Management and concentrating in event planning. After graduation I hope to go into the experiential marketing industry. This year I am most excited to publicize all elements of the CAFES Ambassadors to attract the Cal Poly community and prospective CP students! One piece of advice I have for incoming students is to try new things out of your comfort zone because it will help you discover new passions and meet amazing people!

Andrew Arroyo — Alumni & Fundraising Chair

Agricultural Business

Hello everyone, my name is Andrew Arroyo and I'm a 2nd year Agribusiness major from Santa Paula, Ca. After college I plan on working in the production sector of the agricultural industry and bring some of your favorite foods from the fields to your tables! This summer I was able to intern with the J.M. Smucker Company as their Intern Field Operations and Grower Representative. I'm super grateful to have earned this opportunity and applied what I learned in the classroom to the Agricultural industry through Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" motto! I'm super stoked to be serving on the CAFES ambassador's board this year, but I'm even more excited to meet you all and build bonds throughout this club! Apart from being a senior ambassador, I'm also involved in ABM/NAMA which is our Agribusiness Management club here on campus. I encourage you all to get involved around campus and take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way!

Kiara Benavides — Ambassador State Conference Chair

Agricultural Science

Hi y'all! My name is Kiara Benavides, and I am a third year Ag. Science Major/ Agribusiness Minor from Woodlake, California. I plan on undergoing the Masters of Ag. Education program here at Cal Poly in hopes of becoming an Agriculture Teacher back home in the Central Valley. Being that I am the State Conference Chair, I am most excited about planning an interactive and meaningful virtual Ambassador State Conference experience. This conference is definitely a super fun event, and I plan on making sure it remains as so! My advice for incoming students is to embrace your new college endeavor with a POSITIVE attitude. Although discouraging that most events and classes are online, do NOT let that stop you from connecting with faculty members, joining clubs, and meeting new friends (safely of course).

2020-21 Senior Ambassadors

Kimiko Casuga	Food Science
Katey Diniz	Agricultural Business
Kindra Fulton	Experience Industry Management
Susanna Hoffman	Experience Industry Management
Haley Konoval	Animal Science
Jessica Limbaugh	Agricultural Business
Jared Mandrell	Agricultural Communication
Maxine Meckfessel	Agricultural Business
Armando Nevarez	Agricultural Systems Management
Brittany O'Brien	Agricultural Business
Payton Paschoal	Agricultural Communication
Laila Rollin	Agricultural Science
Sujhey Rosas	Animal Science
Michaela Sewell	BioResource and Agricultural Engineering
Marley Sollecito	Agricultural Business
Allison Stauffer	Food Science and Nutrition
Ashley Tartaglia	Animal Science

Becoming a CAFES Ambassador

CAFES Ambassadors are comprised of general members and Senior Ambassadors. All CAFES students are encouraged and welcome to participate in the CAFES Ambassadors organization by attending meetings to hear from industry speakers, participating in chat and information sessions with prospective students, or in events such as Open House.

CAFES Senior Ambassadors are selected following an application process and represent all of the college’s 15 majors and also serve as a student advisory panel for the college. Ambassadors are chosen through a selection process and enjoy opportunities to enhance their leadership skills while gaining invaluable knowledge about Cal Poly and the agriculture, food and environmental sciences industries. They also develop close working relationships with the CAFES dean, dean’s advisory council, and other college leaders.

CAFES Ambassadors begins recruiting new members and at the start of each Fall quarter, and CAFES Senior Ambassadors at the end of Fall Quarter. The application process to become a CAFES Senior Ambassador includes submission of a written application and attendance at one mandatory information session. Once written applications are received and reviewed, a limited number of applicants are invited to in-person interviews with the current officer team. You must attend one info session along with submitting a completed application.