About Us

The Office of Writing and Learning (OWL) is Cal Poly’s hub for academic success, uniting pre-college readiness, first-year transitions, learning support, and writing across the curriculum. In 2024–2025, OWL facilitated nearly 15,000 academic support sessions, helping to advance student achievement across all six colleges. OWL helps students strengthen skills, satisfy degree milestones, and graduate Ready Day One.

Academic Preparation & Transitions	Learning Support Programs	Writing Across the Curriculum
Early Assessment Program Resources for High School Educators First-Year Course Placement Supportive Pathways Program Transfer Transitions	Academic Coaching Tutoring Services Study Sessions Supplemental Workshops Study Strategies Library	Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) Program Administration Supplemental Writing Support Courses Writing Tutoring

Mission

Our mission is to provide accessible, student-centered programs and resources that meet the diverse needs of Cal Poly students, close opportunity gaps, and promote academic excellence.

Commitment to Student Success

OWL is committed to advancing access, opportunity, and academic achievement for every student. Guided by Cal Poly’s Diversity Action Plan and OUDI’s pillars of institutional excellence, our programs foster a culture of learning and growth where all students can share their strengths and succeed. Learn more about how OWL advances access, opportunity, and student success in our Diversity Action Plan.  

We 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.

Department Contact Information

Name	phone	email	office
Administrative Office	805.756.2067	writingandlearning@calpoly.edu	35-208
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 & Transitions
VACANT, Early Academic Preparation Coordinator			35-202A
Learning Support Programs
Tutoring & Learning Center	805.756.6032	writingandlearning@calpoly.edu	35-209
Stacy Neely, Administrative Support Coordinator	805.756.6084	slneely@calpoly.edu	35-209
Jeff Milbourne, Tutoring Coordinator & STEM Learning Support Specialist	805.756.7663	milbourn@calpoly.edu	35-202A
VACANT, Tutoring Coordinator			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
Writing Across the Curriculum
Dawn Janke, GWR Coordinator	805.756.2066	djanke@calpoly.edu	35-208A