News & Notes – Cultivate Fall 2025
A New Chapter for Experience Industry Management
Beginning in fall 2026, the Experience Industry Management Department will update its degree name to reflects its forward-looking mission. The Experience and Event Management major will take the place of the Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration major, marking an exciting evolution for students pursuing careers in this dynamic field.
Along with the new major, concentrations have been refreshed to better capture the breadth of opportunities available to students. Students will now choose from:
• Event Planning and Management
• Sport and Recreation Management
• Tourism, Hospitality and Destination Management
This change builds on the department’s innovative move in 2016, when it became the first program in California to adopt the Experience Industry Management name. The transition positioned Cal Poly as a leader in preparing graduates for careers in a thriving global industry that spans tourism, travel, social media, sustainability, food and wine, culinary arts, culture, sports, outdoor recreation, conventions, meetings and events.
By aligning its name with its mission, the department continues to shape the next generation of professionals who will contribute to one of California’s most vital economic drivers — an industry that enriches lives, connects communities and enhances the quality of life.
Quarters to Semesters
Starting in fall 2026, the academic calendar will shift to a semester system. The CAFES Academic Advising Center is working to support students during the conversion process to semesters, through communication and advising plans, summer offerings and other programming. Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, faculty and the entire campus community are also working to ensure that students who transition from quarters to semesters have the support they need to be successful.
Visit the CAFES Semester Conversion webpage for updated information on planning, updates, resources, advising and more.
New Faculty
Ernest Lopez, Senior Military Science Instructor
Department: Military Science
Area of Specialty: Leadership development and military training
Education: Pursuing a bachelor's degree in aviation with Liberty University
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Fun Fact: I’ve completed a 100-mile ultramarathon.
Maria Gerveni, Assistant Professor
Department: Agribusiness
Area of Specialty: Biofuels economics and policy, agricultural marketing and commodity price analysis
Education: Doctorate in agricultural and applied economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Hometown: Athens, Greece
Fun Fact: I love training my cockatiel parrot “Prince" new tricks, including how to be my teaching and research assistant. He's great at keeping me company during grading sessions and has strong opinions about my lecture notes.
Hannah Parker, Assistant Professor
Department: Agricultural Education and Communication
Area of Specialty: Teacher preparation and motivational psychology
Education: Doctorate in agricultural education from Ohio State University
Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Fun Fact: Outside of work, I volunteer as a camp director for youth who live with type 1 diabetes
Bill Townsend, Assistant Professor
Department: Agribusiness
Area of Specialty: Development, agricultural and environmental economics and public policy
Education: Doctorate in economics from the University of Oklahoma
Hometown: Monett, Missouri
Fun Fact: I spent a brief period in Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain, studying international economics. While I was there, I lived with a host family and developed an appreciation for both the Spanish and Basque cultures, learning the Spanish language and developed a taste for wine because I was close to La Rioja.
Nicole Waterland, Associate Professor
Department: Plant Sciences
Area of Specialty: Controlled environment agriculture
Education: Doctorate in horticulture and crop science from Ohio State University
Hometown: Melcher-Dallas, Iowa
Fun Fact: I enjoy growing flowering plants, especially orchids.
Ryan Perry, Assistant Professor
Department: Plant Sciences
Area of Specialty: Entomology and biological control
Education: Doctorate in entomology from UC Riverside
Hometown: Mission Viejo, California
Fun Fact: I love to design LEGO projects (often, entomology-themed).
Yu Cao, Assistant Professor
Department: Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences
Area of Specialty: Environmental justice, energy security
Education: Doctorate in political science from Northern Arizona University
Hometown: Shenyang, China
Fun Fact: I once filmed a promotional video for an Alaska tour company.
New Director of Development
Patrick Walker joined the college in August 2025. As a proud Cal Poly alumnus (Master of Business Administration, ’21, Business Administration, ’20), he previously served as associate director of development for the Cal Poly Bailey College of Science and Mathematics, advancing support for undergraduate research and other programs. Prior to Cal Poly, Walker worked in annual giving at Loyola Marymount University and in sales at Fluid Sports Nutrition.
Calendar of Upcoming Events
NOV. 12 - CAFES Connections Fall Career Fair
NOV. 22 - Ag Appreciation Day at Cal Poly Football
JAN. 28 - Alumni and Friends Reception at Unified Wine and Grape Symposium
FEB. 11 - Alumni and Friends Reception at World Ag Expo
APRIL 9-11 - Cal Poly Open House
Visit Cultivate Fall 2025 to read more stories.