Instructors
Just as Cal Poly prides itself on a"Learn by Doing" system of education, Broadcast Journalism program instructors additionally have a "Learn by Doing" philosophy because they have learned this way, too. All instructors in the program are or have been working journalists, producers, directors or photographers. See bios below to track where they've been.
Patti Piburn
Patti Piburn attended Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. She first reported in Arizona, before eventually moving to the Central Coast. Piburn is now the Sunrise anchor at KCOY in Santa Maria, as well as the CPTV and ENG instructor.
Tony Cipolla
Tony Cipolla is the Emmy Award-winning anchor of KSBY's 5:00, 6:00, 6:30 and 11:00 news. He grew up and attended school in Illinois before moving to the central coast, where he has been working with KSBY since 1989. Cipolla teaches Introduction to Broadcast Reporting.
Richard Gearhart
Richard Gearhart is the Daybreak Anchor for KSBY in San Luis Obispo. He was born and raised on the central coast, and earned his bachelors of science in broadcast journalism from Cal Poly. He teaches Agricultural Communications, and is head of the Adgricultural Communications department as well.