Writing and Learning

Connect. Collaborate. Achieve.

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 26, Room 110A
E-mail Address: writingandlearning@calpoly.edu

Department Directory

Name                                                                   phone email office 
Administration      
Dr. Dawn Janke, Executive Director 805.756.2066 djanke@calpoly.edu 26-112
VACANT, Budget and Administrative Analyst     26-115
Academic Preparation and Transitions      
Shayna Citrenbaum, Early Academic Preparation Coordinator 805.756.1041 scitrenb@calpoly.edu 26-113
Learning Support Programs      
Stacy Neely, Administrative Assistant 805.756.6084 slneely@calpoly.edu 26-110A
VACANT, Tutoring Coordinator      
Trevor Forzetting, Study Session Coordinator 805.756.7660 tforzett@calpoly.edu 26-110A
Lydia Keema, Supplemental Instruction Coordinator 805.756.5784 lkeema@calpoly.edu 26-113
Dr. Jeff Milbourne, STEM Learning Support Specialist 805.756.7663 milbourn@calpoly.edu 26-114
Graduation Writing Requirement Program      
Contact Dawn Janke      

Related Content

Big News!

Come visit us in our temporary space in the Graphic Arts Building (26), Room 110A.

Tutors are available to support your learning during Summer Term! Click here for summer tutoring hours.

Connect. Collaborate. Achieve.
We look forward to supporting your learning!

Academic Preparation and Transitions

The Academic Preparation and Transitions Department plays an integral role in help incoming first-year students prepare for a successful college experience through the Early Assessment Program and the Supportive Pathways for First-Year Students program. More information is available on the Academic Preparation and Transitions webpage

Learning Support Programs

The Learning Support Programs department offers a comprehensive menu of programs and resources designed to help you navigate course expectations and achieve your learning goals: free tutoring for subjects across the curriculum, peer-led supplemental workshops and study sessions for STEM-specific courses, and an online study strategies library. More information is available on the Learning Support Programs webpage. 

Graduation Writing Requirement

All undergraduate students who are seeking a Cal Poly degree must fulfill the GWR before a diploma can be awarded. Students must have upp division standing (completed 90 units) before they can attempt to fulfill the requirement and should do so before the senior year. The two pathways to GWR completion are 1) in an approved upper-division course and 2) via the GWR Portfolio. More information is available on the GWR webpage