2026 Award Recipients

Sustainability Student Champion Award

Winner: Ryan Checchi

Ryan is a student worker in University Surplus, who started with the department in September 2022. Ryan has been instrumental in transforming and modernizing the department, which has directly led to University Surplus finding reuse opportunities for more items deemed 'unwanted' on campus. In the year prior to the website going live, Surplus was able to put 222 items back into campus reuse, totaling approximately 3,900 lbs. Since March 2025, University Surplus has been able to put 814 items back into the campus totaling 19,400 lbs. , nearly a 5x increase. Ryan has been instrumental to University Surplus' growth over the last 3.5 years, allowing more items to find new homes, new uses, and new opportunities.

Faculty Sustainability Champion Award

Winner: Dr. Sara Kuwahara

Faculty have been long preparing for the transition period of quarters to semesters, altering existing courses and adding new courses to suit the new academic schedule. During this time, Dr. Kuwahara was instrumental in helping her colleagues get their classes listed in the sustainability course catalog, ensuring that sustainability education is provided to students in all colleges and majors. On the service side, Sara is the faculty leader for the Grow Crew and Alternative fuels Clubs. Grow Crew grows leafy greens in an indoor plant factory that are donated to the Cal Poly Food Pantry. Under Sara's guidance, the Alternative Fuels Club has turned an old tier I John Deer Tractor into an electric tractor and built a charging station for the greenhouse at the student farm. Dr. Kuwahara has also built a biodiesel generator that turns used cooking oil into bio-diesel and built a solar charging station for e-bikes. It’s clear that Sara goes above and beyond in her pursuit of sustainability, both inside and outside the classroom. We are pleased to present Dr. Kuwahara with this award.

Staff Sustainability Champion

Winner: Erin Winett

Erin is a true environmental professional, spending her days sampling sewer, water, collecting hazardous waste, managing animal manure, ensuring compliance with dozens of air and water permits. She’s in the field, she’s writing reports. Erin carries an incredible amount of responsibility for Cal Poly with a smile. In a role where it’s often easy to say “no” to every new project or idea, she works hard to find a pathway to yes. Erin works collaboratively across all campus departments and brings decades of environmental professional experience to Cal Poly. Cal Poly’s environment (air water, soil, etc.) is without a doubt cleaner and safer because of Erin.

Dennis K Elliot Sustainable Facilities Award

Winner: Donald Popham

Don exemplifies the spirit of the Dennis K. Elliot Sustainable Facilities Award through his leadership and initiative in advancing sustainable practices within the custodial profession. Don consistently goes beyond his regular duties by implementing environmentally responsible products and prioritizing reusable materials, reducing waste and minimizing harmful chemical use while maintaining high standards of cleanliness. Don is a strong and trusted leader for his team, regularly advocating for the adoption of sustainable practices and improved ergonomics to help his team work better and safer. Don is one of the many hidden heroes putting sustainability into action at Cal Poly.

Sustainable Organization Champion Award

Winner: Cal Poly Commencement

Cal Poly Commencement is committed to creating a celebration that is both welcoming and environmentally responsible. Hosting more than 60,000 guests on campus over a single weekend presents significant logistical and sustainability challenges. Each year, the commencement team intentionally identifies and implements strategies that reduce environmental impact while enhancing the guest experience. Recent efforts include transitioning to aluminum water bottles, installing reusable water stations to reduce single-use plastics, and significantly decreasing the number of printed programs in favor of digital access options. These initiatives not only reduce waste but also encourage attendees to adopt more sustainable behaviors during their time on campus. Through intentional planning, cross-campus collaboration, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Cal Poly Commencement demonstrates that large-scale events can prioritize environmental stewardship while honoring and celebrating our graduates.