Twenty-seven Cal Poly students were recognized for awards, accolades and other accomplishments by state lawmakers on the floors of the Assembly and Senate in Sacramento on Monday, Feb. 3. Among the group are nine students from the College of Engineering.
“Our students are already making a difference, showcasing their hands-on learning and skills developed through national competitions and extracurricular endeavors,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong, who is accompanying the group on this 10th-annual visit to meet and be honored by California representatives. “Learn by Doing assures that when these fine students graduate, they and their Mustang counterparts will hit the ground running as they embark on their careers.”
The group was introduced to the upper house by Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, and to the lower house by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, who represents the coastal 30th Assembly District that includes large portions of San Luis Obispo and Monterey counties and the southeastern area of Santa Cruz County. Laird represents the 17th Senate District, which encompasses Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey Counties, as well as the majority of San Luis Obispo County.
Students met with East Bay alumni and Cal Poly supporters in Alamo, California, Sunday, Feb. 2, before continuing to Sacramento.
The Golden State student contingent includes five Central Coast residents: Eva Moylan of Los Osos; Nicholas Deskins of Templeton; Marc Cabeliza of Santa Maria; and a pair from San Luis Obispo, Maileen Mamalardo and Matthew Shaffer. Four other students are from outside California.
Each student has distinguished himself or herself as an individual or on a team that has received a national industry award or in other high-profile events. These ambassadors of Learn by Doing are delivering results on campus and off — from student leaders to researchers whose work is leading to industry innovations, to floral artists, engineers and a working journalist.
Honorees from the College of Engineering include Nicholas Deskins (industrial engineering), Olivia Hoffsis (mechanical engineering), Sierra Hollinsworth (environmental engineering), Tobechukwu Ohajunwa (software engineering), Garrett Schnack (mechanical engieering), Kyle Schumacher (mechanical engineering), Matthew Shaffer (mechanical engineering), Corinne Watson (civil and environmental engineering) and Jakob Zuckermandel (mechanical engineering).
About the College of Engineering’s Student Representative
Tobechukwu Ohajunwa
College of Engineering
Ohajunwais the 2024-25 president of the campus chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers that was honored at NSBE’s 50th Annual Convention last March. The four-day event promoting Black community empowerment and diversity, equity and inclusion through science, technology, engineering and math, drew over 18,000 attendees to Atlanta and set an organizational record. “Members had the opportunity to attend a diverse career fair, engaging workshops and connect with Alumni and other chapters,” the chapter said in an Instagram post. “Most memorable, however, was winning National Small Chapter of the Year! Thank you to our hardworking board and active membership who help us earn this award for the third time in our history!” Cal Poly’s chapter formed in 1978. Ohajunwa grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, and graduated from San Domenico High School in San Anselmo in 2021. The Benicia resident learned of Cal Poly through a high school counselor. “I wanted to be a software engineering major instead of computer science and not a lot of schools offered software engineering,” he said. “Cal Poly was one of the few schools that offered this program. I was also drawn to the Learn by Doing motto. I felt I would be getting a lot of hands-on experience.” His goal is to pursue a graduate degree and a career in cybersecurity. Ohajunwa feels pride in being able to “represent the place that has taught me so much in the little time that I have been here. It signifies trust in my ability to serve as a voice for my peers, share meaningful perspectives on the challenges and opportunities within higher education, and advocate for issues that matter to students and the broader university community,” he said.
