Alumni & Friends
Alumni Testimonials
Alessandra Gardner, Events Manager and Production Assistant with Cal Poly Arts
Concentrations: Sustainability Engineering and Filmmaking
"LAES saved my life in college! I was in the sciences and found myself missing the arts. I was in the arts and found myself missing the STEM world. LAES allowed me to flourish in both areas and shape classes towards my passion for storytelling."
Bethany Zeya Longid, Recent LAES Graduate
Concentrations: Computer Science and Graphic Design (Game Design)
"Thanks to the LAES program, I was able trailblaze a carreer path for myself as a video game developer without having to side step through related majors. Being able to say that I was able to integrate most if not all of my skills learned during my academic career something I will not take for granted. I'll forever be thankful for the LAES program and its supporters for opportunity to pursue my dream career!"
Luka Uchiyama, Current LAES Student
Concentrations: STEM Education and Social Justice
"I think others in LAES can agree, but this program saved my life here at Cal Poly and my academic career more broadly. For three years I had been feeling limited and miserable on what I could learn and think I could do at Cal Poly through the engineering majors I’d worked through, and so I am so glad that, with the help of my friends and mentors here, I was able to switch into LAES. My time in this program has truly given me so many opportunities to learn, grow, and to find my passion and interests."
Megan Belle Maun, Game Developer Associate at CORSAIR Gaming Inc.
Concentration: Individualized Course of Study (Game Design)
"I found LAES when I was searching for a major that incorporated engineering with art. I went through the normal experience that a lot of incoming college students go through of not knowing what to do as a career/major. LAES helped me incorporate many different fields that I was interested in, and it has equipped me with well-rounded skills that are needed in the entertainment industry."
Taylor Magon, Commercial Real Estate Broker at Keller Williams Commercial
Concentrations: Industrial Manufacturing Engineering & Interactive Communication (Cinematic Focus)
"LAES is what taught me to be multifaceted. I feel so lucky to have chosen a major that fosters so many unique skill sets. I was able to combine my love for arts and communication with my fascination for science and engineering. I got to be creative and technical at the same time, and that combined with Cal Poly’s learn-by-doing approach is something that you can’t get anywhere else. After graduation, starting in the workplace, my LAES education has given me expertise that allows me to connect with people on a deep level and be as efficient and productive in my work as possible."
Diane Eykholt, Program Manager at Microsoft
Concentrations: Software Engineering and Psychology
"The interdisciplinary blend of Software Engineering and Psychology carried forward into my current role as a Program Manager, where I work with UX research, design, and business to create a vision for my projects, and work with engineering to execute. Being able to represent both the liberal arts and engineering aspects has allowed me to successfully and efficiently communicate with a wide range of partners and build realistic solutions that meet the corresponding range of needs."
Abby Cybula, J.D. Candidate at Gonzaga University
Concentrations: Biomedical Engineering and Technical Communication
"LAES has been incredibly influential in shaping my career path. The multi-disciplinary background has shaped not only my expertise and knowledge, but my thinking and outlook towards solving problems. Going into Patent law, this has proven to be an invaluable trait that has provided me with the tools for success in my field."
Granger Lang, Software Engineer at Google (AR/VR)
Concentrations: Computer Science and Psychology
"It was always my dream to work in the VR/AR space. The LAES program gave me the opportunity to take the classes that I felt was most relevant to the industry, and allowed me to work on what I was most passionate about. There is no doubt that the VR/AR projects I built during my time in the program helped pave the way to where I am now. I couldn't be happier about how things turned out."
Emily Dunlap, Operation Management Development Program at E&J Gallo Winery
Concentrations: Industrial Engineering and Technical Communications
"On a daily basis I'm using both of my concentrations: writing standard work practices, creating visual data that is placed on a Gemba board I developed, completing A3s and 5S-ing an area, and connecting with my team. What I learned during my 4 years as an LAES student is so valuable to my work; I am proud of my work and it's all because of the education I received in the LAES program."
Stephanie Friend, Senior Software Engineer at Reddit
Concentrations: Usability Studies and Interactive Communication
"LAES has given me the interdisciplinary skills I needed to hit the ground running as an engineer. My experience leading real world projects like the Maker Faire gave me the independence and project management skills needed to excel, and my knowledge of both design and computer science allow me to make better software decisions and collaborate more effectively day to day."
David Quiray, Motion designer, VFX artist and Developer at Framestore LA
Concentrations: Computer Science and Media Arts/Technology
"The greatest strength of LAES for me was being able to create my own challenges and goals which I knew would lead me develop my skills for the field I wished to one day be a part of."
LAES Alumni
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies graduates! They are doing some fantastic things combining their engineering and creative interests.
2016 Alumni
Pictured at the Spring 2016 ceremony from top left: David Gillette and Michael Haungs, LAES Co-Directors, Richard Rattner, Michael Twardochleb, Rigoberto Guzman, Kyvon Brown, Kevin Hongtongsak, Robert Myers, David Quiray. Pictured from bottom left: Jane Lehr, LAES Senior Project Co-Advisor, Kat Soriano, Jocelyn DeLeon, Joel Cortes, Lauren Baar, Tyler Huff, and Kevin Gong.
2015 Alumni
Pictured at the Fall 2015 ceremony from left is Tiffany Safronoff, Neha Jagannath, Vanessa Carranza, Jason Lu, and Max Harper.
Pictured at the Spring 2015 ceremony from left is Co-Director, David Gillette, Jessica Uibel, Emily O'Hanlon, Matt Polvi, Cecillia Tran, Change of Major and Sr. Project Advisor, Jane Lehr, Co-Director, Michael Haungs, Gabrielle Amar, Diane Eykholt, Stephanie Friend, Tyler Deitz, and Massimo Siboldi.
2014 Alumni
Pictured at the Fall 2014 ceremony from left is Charles Duong, Alex Horton, Jack Bowen, Co-Director David Gillette, Kamryn Fall, Co-Director Michael Haungs, and Anika Morris.
Pictured at the Spring 2014 celebration from left is Tyler Durkin, Andrew Webber, Ethan Lockwood, Jeffrey Cabanez, Brandon Kuhr, and Oliver Adams. Below, with LAES Director (and BBQ aficionado) Michael Haungs.
2013 Alumni
Pictured at the Fall 2013 ceremony from left is Co-Director, Jane Lehr, Lauren Cabrales, Sammy Murray, Sven Le and Co-Director, Michael Haungs.
Pictured at the 2013 Spring ceremony from left is Josh Lee, Evan Nickel, Co-Director, Michael Haungs, Laura McDonald, Co-Director, David Gillette, Sofia Rodriguez-Mata, Chloe Erdie, Max Brown, Jay Wyatt, and Annamarie Fuchs.