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Cal Poly has quietly renamed the collective that oversees nine student resource centers, shifting the label from Student Diversity and Belonging to Student Development and Belonging — a move officials say better reflects the unit’s day-to-day work with students. The change follows another departmental rename on campus earlier this year and signals a clearer emphasis on student growth and co-curricular support.
University spokesperson Keegan Koberl described the retitling as an internal decision meant to align the collective’s name with its practical mission: mentoring, identity exploration and programs that prepare students for life after graduation. Administrators stressed the update was not prompted by outside pressure amid national debates over diversity, equity and inclusion on public campuses.
The new name is intended to underscore the collective’s role in facilitating student development rather than merely signaling representation. According to officials, the word development better captures activities such as one-on-one mentoring, leadership programming and identity-focused co-curricular experiences.
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How the change connects to systemwide priorities
Cal Poly says the renaming also aligns with broader California State University initiatives, including the CSU Student Success Framework, which emphasizes high-impact, experiential learning and career readiness—especially for first-generation and low-income students. Campus leaders framed the update as part of efforts to increase students’ social mobility and leadership preparation.
For students, the practical implications are straightforward: the collective’s work will remain focused on creating welcoming spaces, offering support services and delivering programming that aims to bolster students’ academic and professional trajectories.
- Student Development and Belonging oversees nine campus centers:
- Dream Center — supports undocumented and DACA students
- Gender Equity Center — programming on gender justice and support
- Latinx/e Center for Academic Success and Achievement (LA CASA) — academic support and community for Latinx/e students
- LGBTQ Campus Life — resources and events for LGBTQ students
- Men & Masculinities — initiatives addressing male student experiences
- Multicultural Center — cross-cultural engagement and programs
- Native American & Indigenous Cultural Center — cultural and academic support for Indigenous students
- APIDA Initiatives — the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American center launched in 2024
Not all campus pages have been updated yet; at least one section of the collective’s website still uses the previous name and continues to reference “diversity.” University officials said web updates are ongoing as the department completes the transition.
Context on recent campus renames
This renaming comes after the Office of University Diversity and Inclusion announced a separate rebrand to Culture and Institutional Excellence (CIX) in January. While those two units operate independently—CIX handles institutional policy and the collective manages student-facing centers—both changes have drawn attention because similar offices nationwide are under increased scrutiny.
Koberl emphasized that the collective’s renaming does not affect Cal Poly’s commitment to qualifying for federal Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. The university continues to pursue the enrollment and support benchmarks associated with HSI status, though the federal application process is currently on hold while the U.S. Department of Education pauses new designations.
Observers should read the rename as an administrative clarification rather than a shift in services: officials say the university will continue investing in the programs, spaces and mentoring that support historically underserved student populations.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated SDAB’s organizational level. SDAB is a collective of centers within the division of Student Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, not a separate division.
