NASA Astronaut Victor Glover Returns Full Time to His Alma Mater, Cal Poly, After Historic Artemis II Mission

Glover's administrative position will focus on strategic initiatives and fostering partnerships and philanthropy

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cal Poly, ranked among the nation's top 10 public universities, has announced that alum and recently retired U.S. Navy captain and emeritus NASA astronaut Victor Glover has taken on a full-time administrative leadership position with the university, effective Sept. 1.

Glover, who piloted NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon in spring 2026, returns to his alma mater to provide counsel to President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and other senior leaders. In his new role, Glover will help shape Cal Poly's long-term strategies that position the university (including the Cal Poly Maritime Academy) as a global leader in polytechnic education, research innovation and workforce production.

"My Learn by Doing experience at Cal Poly was the launch pad for my journeys around the world and the moon," Glover said. "Though I feel like I've never left, to be able to come back to this institution that has meant so much to me and to my family is a gift. I am excited to give that gift in service to student success!"

Glover will work collaboratively with the president, provost, college deans and other university leaders to identify, develop and accelerate strategic initiatives, partnerships and philanthropy aimed at expanding the university's leadership in engineering, applied computing, aerospace, aviation, maritime, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and national defense. He will also serve an ambassadorial role, representing the university at strategic engagements and championing initiatives that inspire the next generation of students to pursue STEM-related disciplines.

A 1999 graduate with a degree in engineering, Glover has long pointed to Cal Poly's Learn by Doing education and his experience as a student-athlete in wrestling and football as key to his professional success as a Navy fighter pilot, a legislative fellow with Sen. John McCain, and his groundbreaking work with NASA.

"I could not be more thrilled to have Victor back to Cal Poly and work alongside him to accelerate our success with Learn by Doing and keep it thriving for decades to come," said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. "Victor is the embodiment of how far Learn by Doing can propel a Cal Poly graduate, and we share a vision of ensuring that our university continues to produce future generations of pioneers and leaders."

Glover joins Cal Poly after his recent retirement from the Navy and transition to NASA emeritus.

His achievements in space exploration included piloting the second-ever crewed flight of SpaceX's Crew Dragon; living aboard the International Space Station for 168 days from November 2020 to May 2021; and traveling beyond low Earth orbit and around the moon as part of Artemis II's Orion spacecraft. Artemis II captivated the nation and the world as the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972, and Glover and his fellow crewmembers sent home dazzling images and descriptions of the moon's far side.

Glover's family has broad connections to Cal Poly. His wife, Dionna, is an alumna, and the two met on campus while they were students in the 1990s. And the couple have four daughters, all of whom are Cal Poly students or recent graduates. 

Cal Poly is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and is known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. It is a member of the 22-campus California State University system.

Photo Information: Victor Glover at Cal Poly. Photo by Senior University Photographer Joe Johnston.

Media Availability: Victor Glover is available for a limited number of media interviews. To request an interview, contact Matt Lazier at [email protected] or 805-756-7109.

Multimedia: High-quality photos and video of Victor Glover at Cal Poly are available upon request. Contact Matt Lazier at [email protected]

SOURCE Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo