At Cal Poly’s 2025 convocation, Liz Thompson, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering and director of the General Engineering program, was recognized with the Provost’s Leadership Award for Partnership in Philanthropy.
Before her retirement this year, Thompson left an enduring mark on the College of Engineering through her ability to connect people, ideas and resources. She guided both students and colleagues while championing efforts that broadened participation in engineering.
She also worked tirelessly to secure grant funding and promote diversity and inclusion within engineering education. A mentor to countless students, she helped bring nearly $10 million in National Science Foundation grants to Cal Poly, fueling new initiatives in engineering education.
