Latest News

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!