Retired NASA Astronaut Victor Glover started with orientation on Thursday

Key Points:

• NASA Emeritus Astronaut Victor Glover, pilot of the Artemis II lunar mission, has joined Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a strategic advisor to university leadership, focusing on advancing STEM education, research innovation, and workforce development.
• Glover’s role involves advising Cal Poly’s president, provost, and deans on initiatives related to aerospace, engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and national defense, while also serving as an ambassador to encourage student engagement in STEM fields.
• The appointment is personally significant for Glover, a 1999 Cal Poly graduate, whose wife and four daughters have strong ties to the university, with three daughters currently enrolled as students.
• Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong highlighted Glover’s military and aviation experience as a valuable asset for regional partnerships, including collaborations with local colleges and Vandenberg Space Force Base.
• Glover’s hiring reflects a broader trend of universities bringing in accomplished astronauts and aerospace veterans to strengthen academic-industry connections and enhance student opportunities in relevant fields.