Aug. 7, 2009
Contact: Cal Poly Public Affairs
polynews@calpoly.edu

Cal Poly Architecture, Agriculture Ranked in Top 10 Nationally
in Degrees to Minority Students

SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly is among the Top 10 schools in the nation in granting degrees to Hispanic, Asian and other minority students in agriculture, architecture and engineering.

Cal Poly students’ success placed the university among the Top 10 of the “Top 100 Degree Producers 2009” rankings compiled by the magazine “Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

In the organization’s 2009 national rankings, Cal Poly was:

  • No. 4  in granting agriculture degrees to Hispanic students
  • No. 5 in architecture degrees to students of all minority groups
  • No 5  in architecture degrees to Asian American students
  • No. 5 in architecture degrees to Hispanic students
  • No. 6 in agriculture degrees to Asian American students
  • No. 7 in agriculture degrees to students of all minority groups
  • No. 8 in engineering degrees to Hispanic students

Cal Poly’s nationally recognized College of Engineering was also ranked:

  • No. 12 in degrees to all minorities
  • No. 14 in degrees to Asian American students
  • No.  19 in degrees to Native American students

"We take great pride in the diversity of Cal Poly's graduates. We're constantly striving to improve the diversity of our student body because we know that greater diversity enriches our learning experience, and it also serves California industries well,” said Cal Poly President Warren J. Baker. “Employers want well-trained scientific and technical professionals able to compete effectively and work comfortably in an increasingly complex, multi-cultural global economy."

The organization released its 2009 rankings in late June; Cal Poly and 12 other California State University campuses made the “Top 100” list. The magazine analyzes data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics to create its annual rankings.

The CSU system “prides itself on creating access to higher education," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "Our trustees, presidents, faculty, staff and students have worked to create welcoming and inclusive campuses – resulting in a university system that reflects the rich diversity of the state of California."

For more details on the 2009 rankings, visit the organization’s Web site at http://diverseeducation.com.

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