Cal Poly Pomona ranks in the top six nationally among universities in the number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students in architecture, engineering and agriculture, and in the top 25 for total Hispanic student enrollment, according to new rankings by Hispanic Outlook on Education.
For awarding bachelor’s degrees to Hispanic students, CPP ranks:
- 2 in architecture
- 5 in engineering
- 6 in agriculture and agricultural operations
CPP was also No. 25 nationally on the magazine’s “Top 100 Schools For Hispanics” list, which was released in October 2020 and is based on 2018-19 enrollment data.
Recognized for its diverse student body, Cal Poly Pomona has also been noted as one of the nation’s best value colleges by Money Magazine and one of the most innovative public universities among regional schools in the west by U.S. News.
Jayme Moreno, an agribusiness and food industry management senior in the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture, cites the traveling and networking opportunities as his favorite parts of his program.
“I have been able to meet industry leaders and learn more about what career path I want to take with my major,” he said. “In the college, it’s easy and fun to be involved…The staff and faculty within College of Agriculture have been a huge support system during these tough times during COVID-19.”
Natali A. Mendez, who is double majoring in microbiology and food and nutrition, with an emphasis in dietetics, values the diversity of experiences she gets in her classes.
“The best part of my undergraduate academic program, the dietetics program, is that it is so broad allowing its students to do anything they desire with their degree,” Mendez said.
Huntley College is committed to preparing students to make a difference, stretching the frontiers of science to find solutions and helping the people of California, the nation and the world improve their lives and livelihoods.
Cal Poly Pomona’s Department of Architecture, located in the College of Environmental Design, is informed by the multicultural demographics of Southern California and advocates for the broader purpose of architecture including its public significance and role in creating sustainable environments.
For James Cardona, the best part of the architecture program is the people and the diverse backgrounds of the students.
“There are so many personal connections that I’ve made with so many people that I would not have met had it not been for this program” he said. “The faculty [also] have so much personality and heart across so many members.”
In addition to the people, architecture student Maribel Ruiz noted the studio space.
It’s “where we come up with crazy and amazing ideas, and where we get to engage with each other 24/7 because studio time never ends,” she said.
Nationally recognized for excellence, the College of Engineering offers 11 accredited undergraduate programs and seven graduate programs.
Mechanical engineering student Breann Garcia appreciates that “the College of Engineering provides many opportunities to apply Cal Poly Pomona’s ‘Learn-By-Doing’ motto through various lab classes, student-run engineering teams, and leaderships organizations, including the Liquid Rocket Lab and Women in Engineering Program. [With] the most dedicated, encouraging, and knowledgeable professors, advisors, and department staff, our curriculum continues to offer a motivating and memorable experience from start to finish.”
For Mayra P. Garcia Arce, an electromechanical engineering technology student, the best part about her academic program is how inclusive everything is.
“I get to meet people of all cultures, genders and region,” she said. “[Also], there are more than 30 different clubs and organizations just for the College of Engineering that give students and faculty a way to connect outside of classrooms.”
For more information on Cal Poly Pomona’s placement on a variety of college rankings, visit the About Cal Poly Pomona webpage.