About Us

The Office of Writing and Learning supports Cal Poly student learning and achievement by coordinating a variety of academic programs and resources intended to ensure optimal educational opportunities for diverse student populations. 

Academic Preparation and Transitions

• Early Assessment Program for high school students
• Expository Reading and Writing Curriculum for high school students
• Quantitative Reasoning Curricula for high school seniors
• Academic placement
• Supportive Pathways Program for first time first-year students
• Transfer Transitions for first-year transfer students

Learning Support Programs

• Academic Coaching
• Campuswide Tutoring
• Supplemental Instruction 
• Study Sessions
• Online Study Strategies Library

Writing Across the Curriculum

• Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) Program
• For-credit supplemental writing support courses
• Writing Center

Mission

Our mission is to offer a comprehensive menu of academic programs and resources designed to support the diverse needs of Cal Poly students, eliminate equity gaps, and optimize learning.

Diversity Action Planning

The Office of Writing and Learning staff affirm that an awareness of structural and systemic racism offers students the best chance to develop and succeed on their own terms, and our diversity action plan serves as a guiding force in our commitment to foster and embody a community where all belong, contribute, and thrive. We also respectfully acknowledge that Cal Poly resides on the unceded ancestral homelands of the yak titʸu titʸu yak tiłhini tribe of Indigenous Northern Chumash peoples and are grateful to live and learn as guests on this land. We invite you to learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by engaging in the Office of Writing and Learning Diversity Action Plan.  

Department Contact Information

Location: Building 35, Room 209
E-mail Address: writingandlearning@calpoly.edu

Department Directory

Name	phone	email	office
Administration
Dr. Dawn Janke, Executive Director	805.756.2066	djanke@calpoly.edu	35-208A
Emily Carrow, Budget & Administrative Analyst	805.756.3092	ecarrow@calpoly.edu	35-208
Academic Preparation and Transitions
VACANT, Early Academic Preparation Coordinator
Learning Support Programs
Stacy Neely, Administrative Support Coordinator	805.756.6084	slneely@calpoly.edu	35-209
Dr. Jeff Milbourne, Tutoring Coordinator & STEM Learning Support Specialist	805.756.7663	milbourn@calpoly.edu	35-202A
Trevor Forzetting, Study Session Coordinator	805.756.7660	tforzett@calpoly.edu	35-202A
Lydia Keema, Supplemental Instruction Coordinator	805.756.5784	lkeema@calpoly.edu	35-202A
Graduation Writing Requirement Program
Dr. Dawn Janke, Coordinator	805.756.2066	djanke@calpoly.edu	35-208A