Cal Poly hosted a three-day IISE Six Sigma Green Belt training on campus from Jan. 23-25. The training was organized and hosted by the Cal Poly Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) student chapter and brought together students and faculty for an intensive professional development experience focused on process improvement and data-driven decision-making.
The training was led by Professor Rich Halstead-Nussloch and supported by the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. Over the three days, participants engaged in interactive instruction, practical examples and applied problem-solving centered on core Six Sigma concepts and tools. Topics included process mapping, root cause analysis, statistical thinking and the structured DMAIC improvement framework. The hands-on nature of the sessions and the instructor’s engagement with participants were frequently highlighted in post-training feedback.
The final roster included 58 participants, including three Cal Poly Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering staff and faculty members. The training achieved a 100% pass rate on the final examination, reflecting the strong preparation and commitment of the participants, and the effectiveness of the instructional format.
Hosting the Green Belt training on campus made this professional certification more accessible to Cal Poly students and aligned well with the department’s Learn by Doing philosophy. Students were able to connect classroom concepts to industry-relevant methodologies while gaining a credential that strengthens their readiness for internships and full-time roles in operations, manufacturing, health care and service systems.
This event would not have been possible without the leadership of the Cal Poly IISE student chapter and the generous support of the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Department. The collaboration between students, faculty and IISE continues to create meaningful opportunities for professional growth and applied learning within the IME community.
The January 2026 Six Sigma Green Belt training stands as a strong example of student-led initiatives and industry-aligned education at Cal Poly, and it highlights the department’s ongoing commitment to experiential learning and career preparation.
