Maria Manzano, the director of the Engineering Possibilities in College (EPIC) program at Cal Poly, has received the prestigious President’s Diversity Award for her outstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion within the College of Engineering.
The award celebrates members of the Cal Poly community who have made significant contributions to fostering an inclusive environment on campus.
Manzano’s role as the director of EPIC has been pivotal in advancing the college’s strategic priorities to diversify the student population. The EPIC program – a summer initiative designed for students in grades 5-12 – has introduced over 5,000 young people to engineering and Cal Poly since 2016 through a series of one-week residential sessions. The program’s success is reflected in its high demand, regularly attracting more applicants than available spots, with participants ranging from 400 to 1,000 students each summer. Remarkably, over 50% of these students come from historically underserved backgrounds thanks to strong partnerships with Migrant Education programs and underrepresented minority school districts.
As the director, Manzano hires, trains and oversees an annual team of about 70 Cal Poly students and faculty members who serve as counselors, lab assistants, instructors and general programming assistants. Her dedication is clear as she stays on call 24/7 while participants are on campus, ensuring their safety and well-being.
“Maria Manzano provides incredible support to our community as the director of the EPIC program,” said Zoë Wood, associate dean for diversity and student success. “Her work is often cited as exemplary in DEI university spaces, reflecting her independent engagement with campus partners and community organizations. I am honored to work with such a dedicated staff member who shares her passion for broadening participation in engineering via her incredible leadership in EPIC.”
Manzano’s meticulous attention to every detail of the EPIC program, from staffing and safety to programming and housing, ensures its success year after year. Her efforts align with campuswide Hispanic-serving Institution initiatives and involve collaboration with faculty, graduate students and student clubs to create a diverse range of engineering activities. In 2022, Manzano expanded the program’s reach through new partnerships, increasing both virtual and in-person participation and developing a new curriculum for fifth graders.
In summer 2023, EPIC saw a significant increase in participant-sponsored scholarships, with over $250,000 awarded to support the registration of 133 participants in need. That year, the program’s participants included 49% female-identified students, 47% first-generation college-bound and 85% first-generation in engineering.
Manzano’s commitment to diversity extends beyond student outreach. She has integrated diversity, equity and inclusion training into EPIC staff development, emphasizing mental wellness, understanding microaggressions and supporting English learners. This comprehensive approach ensures an inclusive environment for both participants and staff.
“I am deeply honored to receive the President’s Diversity Award,” Manzano said. “This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of everyone involved in the EPIC program. Our mission is to create opportunities and provide support for students from all backgrounds to explore the exciting field of engineering, and I am grateful to be a part of this transformative journey.”
By Emily Slater
