Cal Poly names new provost and executive vice president
Al Liddicoat.
– Cal Poly has appointed Al Liddicoat as provost and executive vice president of Academic Affairs, the university’s senior-most academic officer.
Liddicoat has served as interim provost since April. Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong announced the appointment during the annual Fall Convocation earlier this week.
“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 said to 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.”
As provost, Liddicoat will work with deans from Cal Poly’s six colleges, Kennedy Library, Graduate Education, and Extended and Continuing Education, as well as faculty and staff across the university. His responsibilities also include oversight of Academic Innovations and Programs, Student Success, the Office of Research, and the academic operations 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 later received a doctorate and a master’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in industrial engineering and engineering management from Stanford University.
Since joining the Cal Poly faculty in 2002, Liddicoat has held several leadership positions, 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.
He holds tenure as the Forbes Professor of Computer and Electrical Engineering. He also served as interim vice chancellor for Human Resources at the California State University Chancellor’s Office.
Liddicoat and his wife, Silvia, also a Cal Poly alum, first met as engineering classmates. They now enjoy golf, hiking, traveling, and spending time with their three adult children.
