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HVAC&R concentration Update

We’ve launched into 2025 with great energy and tremendous student interest in HVAC&R!

Over 30 women students attended the Women in ME/ASHRAE Dinner on January 23, 2025. Lindsey Rowell, Chief Sustainability Officer-Office of Energy, Sustainability & Transportation at CSU, gave a presentation on decarbonization and the CSU path to a carbon-free future.

The Net-Zero Design and Construction-A-Thon competition, an annual event sponsored by the Northern California Mechanical Contractors Association (NorCal MCA), drew interest from almost a hundred students. Out of the pool of applicants, 36 Mechanical Engineering and Construction Management students from freshman to senior level, spent a weekend competing to design an updated HVAC system for a 40,000 square foot office building, including selecting mechanical equipment, budgeting for labor and materials, scheduling, planning the crane pick to place the equipment, and considering climate impacts. More than a dozen industry representatives, many of whom are themselves Cal Poly alumni, attended to mentor student teams and evaluate the final presentations.

Six mechanical engineering students and ASHRAE Club officers joined club advisor Lauren Rueda at the 2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference in Orlando, attending student-focused sessions, advanced technical discussions on decarbonization and sustainability, and networking events such as the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) Reception and Women in ASHRAE Breakfast, while also experiencing hands-on innovations at the AHR Expo and connecting with Cal Poly alumni across the industry.

For the first time four dedicated Cal Poly HVAC&R students represented our program at the 2025 IIAR Conference! Attending the conference introduced them to cutting-edge refrigeration technologies, sustainability best practices, and industry connections.

Dr. Mott presented her research A Simplified Predictive Model for Enhancing Thermal Comfort in University Classrooms at the 2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference.

Upcoming this spring, our ASHRAE Student Club will embark on a field trip to attend the SoCal ASHRAE Student Night as well as visiting a HVAC&R company and job site, providing students with valuable industry exposure and hands-on learning experiences.

The biggest news: Next fall, we’re planning our biggest celebration yet, the 20th Anniversary of our Annual Event! Mark you calendars for the HVAC&R Industry showcase and a special celebration on October 10 and Golf Tournament, Wine Tour and Mountain Biking on October 11.

At Cal Poly, we’re committed to setting the gold standard in undergraduate HVAC&R education. This success is made possible by the generous contributions of our HVAC&R industry supporters—thank you for your continued partnership and support!

Project Spotlight

Senior Design - ASHRAE Student Design Competition

Students were tasked to present the methods and decisions that went into selecting an HVAC system for a single-story laboratory facility in Cairo, Egypt. This 2,515 m2 (27,000 ft2) new construction contains a variety of rooms, including wet bench labs, dry bench computational labs, research support offices, a common area for circulation, a break room, and an atrium reception area. The owner specified building requirements including a budget, operating hours, and a space function analysis.

Students: Evan Hecke, Stephen Huckabone. Jaycen Mouillesseaux, Ian Oliver

Upcoming Events

October 10, 2025

Fall 2025 HVAC&R Industry Showcase

Career Fair
|
General
10AM-3PM

Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Multi-Activity Center (MAC), Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Cost: $400 per company (includes lunch for all attendees)

The Cal Poly ASHRAE Student Branch invites HVAC&R industry professionals and companies to join our 2025 Fall Industry Showcase. This annual event is a unique opportunity for companies to:

  • Connect with highly motivated Mechanical Engineering students
  • Promote career and internship opportunities
  • Engage with Cal Poly’s HVAC&R program and research initiatives

Lunch will be provided, and parking/logistics information will be shared with registered companies in mid-September.

RSVP Deadline: September 20, 2025

Registration Form: Click here to register

October 10 –October 11, 2025

20th Anniversary – Special Annual Event

Industry
|
Mixer
|
Networking Event
6PM-5PM

This fall marks a major milestone – the 20th Anniversary of our Annual HVAC&R Event – and we’re celebrating with our biggest gathering yet!

20th Anniversary Dinner Celebration:

Date: Friday, October 10, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Multi-Activity Center (MAC), Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with fun surprises, great food, and a celebration of 20 years of community, collaboration, and innovation. The dinner is open to all Industry Showcase participants and Annual Event attendees.

Weekend Activities – October 11:

Celebrate the anniversary weekend with your choice of exciting activities:

  • Golf Tournament
  • Wine Tour
  • Mountain Biking

Support the Celebration:

Help make this milestone event truly memorable by becoming a sponsor. Your support will directly contribute to student success and the continued growth of Cal Poly’s HVAC&R program.

Click on the Registration and Sponsorship Forms link below for more information.

We can’t wait to celebrate 20 amazing years with you!

Past Events

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