About Us
MBP is a diverse and inclusive community for students by students where they matter, belong and with professional support are connected to resources to persist. Our program provides personal, academic and career development services for traditionally underserved and historically underrepresented minority students of all abilities which include Black/African-American, Native-American/American Indian, Latinx/Chicanx/Xicancx, Asian, Queer and Trans identified folks, First Generation, Undocumented, low-income, and their allies.
Vision Statement
MBP envisions an Orfalea College of Business experience where students regardless of their identity or background are engaged and prepared for personal, academic and professional success.
Mission Statement
MBP’s mission is to promote the recruitment, retention and success of traditionally underserved and historically underrepresented students in business.
Justin Gomez (he/him/his)
Academic Advisor & Success Coach
Justin serves as the dedicated Professional Advisor and Coordinator for Orfalea’s Multicultural Business Program. He identifies as a queer, first-generation, Belizean and is pursuing his Masters of Education in Counseling & Guidance at Cal Poly. He is a proud alum of University of California, Merced (2013) and College of Southern Nevada (2010).
Justin provides mentorship for the Peer Assisted Learning Support (PALS) group, instructs BUS 100: Student Orientation & College Success, BUS 206: Career Readiness I, coordinates the Orfalea Peer Tutoring Program and co-advises the Hispanic Business Students Association.
Marissa Chavez (They/Ella/She)
Graduate Assistant
Marissa is currently a graduate student in the Counseling and Guidance program at Cal Poly. They are a queer, first-generation student from Merced, CA. Before coming to Cal Poly, Marissa earned their undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis after transferring from Merced Community College.
BUS 100: Student Orientation & College Success Course
MBP students are automatically enrolled in a specialized section of BUS 100. This small but diverse cohort of students are supported through a peer assisted learning model. A Peer Assisted Learning Supporter (PALS) is assigned to a team of students and together they engage in group activities that help students to complete a four-year graduation plan, class material and weekly reflective journals.
BUS 206: Business Professionalism and Career Readiness I
In BUS 206, Career Readiness & Business Professionalism, MBP students get a head start on their career development and preparation which includes self exploration, interpersonal communication, resumes, informational interviewing, industry tours and networking.
Coaching
During their first quarter, students participate in a coaching appointment to explore strengths, discuss challenges, set goals and begin an ongoing advising relationship with Orfalea Student Services.
Academic Support
Students can request individual tutoring by appointment for challenging courses related for relevant major and support courses.
Industry Connections
Industry Tours connect students with corporate partners who value diversity and in their first quarter visit a firm to experience a day in the life of industry professional and network.
Leadership Development
After their first year of participating in the program, MBP students can apply to become a PALS for the upcoming academic year. This an excellent volunteer leadership opportunity for student to hone their teamwork, coaching and communication skills.
Feel Good Fridays
Feel Good Fridays (FGF) are social networking events for students in Multicultural Business Program (MBP) to build community with peers and professionals over lunch. Currently, MBP supports about 175 students – 40 freshman, 90 sophomores and 45 juniors. FGF is an excellent opportunity for employers to establish rapport and cultivate recruiting relationships with students from diverse backgrounds particularly those who are underrepresented in business and professional services. FGF are held on Fridays between 11am-12pm in the CIE (02-210) from Weeks 2 through 9 of the Quarter. Feel Good Fridays have been serving students for the last two years and have been generously sponsored and supported in the past by KPMG, EY, PwC, Texas Instruments, Moss Adams, and Frito-Lay.
Leadership Beyond the Resume
Leadership Beyond the Resume (LBTR) is a one-day conference held by the Multicultural Business Program in winter quarter that focuses on preparing emerging leaders from historically underrepresented backgrounds for the opportunities and challenges that they will face in the coming decades. Communicating an array of topics, LBTR aims to assist students in their development of self-advocacy skills, understanding of social responsibility, and establishment of positive academic and personal empowerment.
Multicultural Business Program succeeds thanks to the generous sponsorship and support of our partner organizations, including:
- PwC
- EY
- KPMG
For questions about the Multicultural Business Program, contact us at 805-756-5324 or mbp@calpoly.edu.
Follow us on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @calpolymbp for updates and announcements.