BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Student to Lead Student Body as 2025-26 ASI President
By: Lauren McEwen (Agricultural Communication, ’25)
Recently elected Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) President, Marc Cabeliza, a fourth-year year bioresource and agricultural engineering major, has big plans for enhancing Cal Poly’s campus culture and prioritizing student safety.
His involvement in the college started with being “thrown into the fire day one” in his agricultural engineering classes, Cabeliza said. With the Learn by Doing motto pushing him to excel in classes and extracurriculars, Cabeliza is ready to bring a fresh perspective to the ASI. He has been in the Ag Engineering Society (AES) for three years and is the chairman of the AES career fair. Last year, he served on the ASI Board of Directors as chair of the University Union Advisory Council, where he oversaw an $18 million budget with fellow council members.
Cabeliza’s strong work ethic and desire to serve are in part due to the sacrifices and support of his parents. At the age of nine, he and his family immigrated to Santa Maria, California from the Philippines. As a first-generation college student, he said he understands the value of experiencing belonging and community.
“I hope we can build events and advocacy efforts to ensure it is easier for students to find their community,” he said. One limitation for student involvement in clubs is the cost of dues to be a member. He hopes to ensure students have access to these communities despite the financial barrier. Cabeliza aims to connect with the student body and university administration to ensure that students have a community from which to draw support and encouragement.
Other initiatives he hopes to address include improving student transportation to and from campus to help students access basic needs when living in on-campus housing. He also hopes to install better lighting around campus and promote phone apps that the police department launched to improve overall safety on campus. Cabeliza also wants to facilitate support to the student body through university changes including the integration of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy and the transition from quarters to semesters in fall of 2026.
Cabeliza said that one of the biggest challenges facing the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is the potential loss of “green spaces” or working agricultural lands where students take classes and labs. “As CAFES students, it is vital to have open lands for us to use and study,” he said, describing what can be a disconnect from agriculture experienced by students, faculty and staff outside of the college. “Next year, it will be integral to have a strong stance supporting the land for the benefit of all the students and reaching our sustainability goals,” he said.
That effort was supported by students on the ASI Board of Directors during the 2024-25 academic year, who passed a resolution opposing non-agricultural development in all areas of Cal Poly’s west campus. Cabeliza will continue that effort in the coming year.
Supporting him in his journey of service for the university are his parents, professors and friends. “The professors are my mentors when I need advice, and they are able to provide that because they are amazing people,” Cabeliza said.
The BioResource and Agricultural Engineering Department has prepared Cabeliza with practical tools for leadership, service and work ethic. “I look forward to serving the student body and with that comes the responsibility that I do my job correctly and ensure their voices are heard,” he said.
Representing CAFES on the ASI Board of Directors for the 2025-26 academic year are agricultural communication majors Morgan Oliveira, Andrew Angulo, Garret Gomes and Bella Twiss.
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