Contact: Matt Lazier 
805-756-7109; mlazier@calpoly.edu  

SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly has named Al Liddicoat as provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs, the senior-most academic officer at the university.  

Liddicoat has served as interim provost since April 2025.

Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong made the internal announcement earlier this week during the annual Fall Convocation.

“Following consultation with student and university leaders and at the urging of many department chairs, I have appointed Al Liddicoat as provost and executive vice president,” Armstrong announced to a cheering audience of faculty and staff. “I am confident that in the coming years, Al will continue his great work to enhance Learn by Doing, expand access to a Cal Poly degree for more California students and foster partnerships across colleges and campuses.”

Expanded Role

As provost, Liddicoat will collaborate with deans from Cal Poly’s six colleges, Kennedy Library, Graduate Education, and Extended and Continuing Education, along with faculty and staff across the university, to ensure Cal Poly’s continued academic excellence. His portfolio also includes oversight of Academic Innovations and Programs, Student Success, the Office of Research, and the academic enterprise of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy on the Cal Poly Solano campus.

“Cal Poly has been part of my life since I first arrived as an undergraduate engineering student. To now serve as provost is both humbling and energizing,” Liddicoat said. “I am especially excited to support our faculty as they shape transformative learning experiences, and to ensure our students graduate ready to lead and contribute from day one.”

Liddicoat earned his bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from Cal Poly. He also holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in industrial engineering and engineering management, all from Stanford University.

leadership roles

At Cal Poly, Liddicoat has held a wide range of leadership roles, including vice president for University Personnel and chief human resources officer, vice provost for Academic Affairs and Personnel, interim dean of the Orfalea College of Business, and director of the Computer Engineering Program. He began his administrative career in 2006 as assistant vice president for Academic Personnel after joining the faculty in 2002.

As an academic, he earned and holds tenured status as the Forbes Professor of Computer and Electrical Engineering and has built a record of service spanning both academic and operational leadership at the university.

He also served as interim vice chancellor for Human Resources at the California State University Chancellor’s Office, gaining all-important systemwide understanding that provides the broader perspective required to navigate the complexities of today’s higher education system.

family man, Cal poly alumnus

Liddicoat and his wife, Silvia (also a Cal Poly alum), first met as classmates in the College of Engineering. Now empty nesters, they enjoy golf, hiking, traveling and staying connected with their three grown children.