Cal Poly
Evolving digital, brand, & campaign experiences across a decentralized campus
Over the past decade, Matchfire has partnered with multiple departments within California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo—including Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), Student Affairs, University Advancement, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES), the Orfalea College of Business, and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).
Each engagement was independently scoped, with its own goals, stakeholders, and success metrics. Taken together, this body of work reflects a broader role: helping departments modernize their digital platforms, clarify their messaging, and create more engaging experiences for students, alumni, and donors.
The Opportunity
Cal Poly operates within a decentralized structure, where departments manage their own systems, messaging, and digital presence. Over time, this resulted in a mix of legacy platforms, inconsistent brand expression, and fragmented user experiences across key audiences—from prospective and current students to alumni and donors. While each initiative had its own immediate objectives, a broader challenge became clear: how to improve usability, clarity, and engagement within individual departments while navigating the complexity of a larger, distributed ecosystem.
The Work
Matchfire’s work across Cal Poly spans digital platforms, brand systems, and campaign strategy—tailored to each department’s needs while grounded in a consistent approach to clarity, usability, and engagement.
Digital Ecosystems
- Rebuilt and modernized core digital experiences to better serve both users and internal teams.
- Redesigned and developed ASI’s primary website into a flexible, scalable WordPress platform
- Improved information architecture, navigation, and content systems across key touchpoints
- Created custom tools, including a Student Government Candidate Portal with integrated workflows and backend management
- Designed and launched microsites and program hubs to support fundraising, storytelling, and engagement
Brand Systems
Developed clear, distinct identities that align with Cal Poly’s broader brand while giving each initiative its own presence.
- Created brand systems for programs like Cal Poly Now Paths and CAFES’ “This is Reality” campaign
- Defined messaging frameworks to strengthen storytelling and audience clarity
- Built scalable visual systems and toolkits to ensure consistency across channels and teams
Campaigns & Activation
Led campaign development to drive awareness, participation, and fundraising across diverse audiences.
- Developed fundraising campaigns for CAFES and CIE, including identity, messaging, and digital experiences
- Played a key role in CIE’s campaign, which generated $10.5M in donations by 2021
- Designed and executed a campaign and virtual event series to launch the MS Business Analytics program, targeting prospective students, alumni, and industry partners
- Built multichannel strategies spanning digital, social, events, and on-campus activation
Strategy & Enablement
Equipped teams with the tools and frameworks needed to sustain and scale their efforts over time.
- Facilitated stakeholder workshops, research, and audits to align priorities and uncover opportunities
- Delivered content strategies, campaign frameworks, and planning tools
- Established internal processes, calendars, and governance models to improve efficiency and consistency
Impact
Matchfire strengthened how individual departments show up—while contributing to a more cohesive experience across the university.
- Improved usability and accessibility across key digital platforms
- Stronger, more consistent brand expression within individual departments
- Increased engagement through clearer messaging and more intentional campaign execution
- Successful fundraising outcomes
- Scalable systems that enable teams to manage, evolve, and grow their work over time