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We are looking forward to the start of the Fall Semester on August 23, 2026, when we will launch our revised and updated HVAC&R curriculum. As part of this exciting next chapter, the concentration will carry a new name: Sustainable Technology for the Built Environment (HVAC&R), a change that better reflects the breadth of the field and helps introduce more students to the many opportunities in HVAC&R.

A major highlight this year is the launch of our new fundraising campaign in support of the Cal Poly HVAC&R Educational Program. New in 2026, the campaign has been streamlined to focus on the Annual Event Dinner, with sponsors receiving one-year recognition inside the Cal Poly HVAC&R Lab as well as recognition on the Dinner stage screen and backdrop. Sponsorship levels range from Bronze support on a group “Supporters Panel” to Platinum sponsorship with prominent logo placement in the lab, creating visible, and year-round support for student success.

This updated sponsorship model creates a direct connection between industry support and student opportunity. Sponsorship support helps fund student field trips, HVAC&R research, course equipment and supplies, ASHRAE Student Club activities, and FE Exam sponsorships, while lab recognition provides exposure to more than 300 students each year.

We also started the year with the Net-Zero Design and Construction-a-Thon 2026. From January 23 to 25, 49 Cal Poly students worked in multidisciplinary teams to design an updated HVAC system for a multi-use building that included office space, a data center, and a warehouse. Supported by more than a dozen industry mentors and judges, students applied engineering, budgeting, scheduling, and construction planning skills in a fast-paced weekend experience sponsored by NorCal MCA.

From January 30 to February 3, 23 Cal Poly students and two faculty members attended the ASHRAE Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. Students participated in technical sessions, connected with industry professionals, and explored the AHR Expo, gaining valuable insight into the people, technologies, and career pathways that shape the HVAC&R industry.

Cal Poly’s inaugural HVAC&R and NASRC Student Experience brought together 100 students and 23 industry professionals for a day of hands-on learning, career exploration, and networking. Students learned foundational refrigeration design concepts, practical tools, and real-world industry applications while gaining exposure to sustainable, decarbonized refrigeration solutions and connecting with industry experts, employers, and peers.

Looking ahead, the next HVAC&R Showcase will be held on October 16. Last year’s Showcase connected more than 300 students with representatives from 35+ companies, and it remains one of the most valuable opportunities for students to explore career options, secure internships and full-time positions, and learn firsthand about the HVAC&R industry.