Genesis Glover Talks Cal Poly and Family Legacy

Genesis Glover (right), a biological sciences major, and her sister Maya Glover, an architecture major, have followed in their parents' footsteps by attending Cal Poly. Their father, Victor Glover (General Engineering, '99), is a famous astronaut. Photos by Alexis Kovacevic 

June 2025 / NEWS STORY
by Angelina Benyamin Rodriguez

Genesis Glover grew up surrounded by Mustang pride. Both of her parents attended Cal Poly. Her father Victor Glover (General Engineering, ‘99) became a world-famous astronaut and her mother, Dionna Odom Glover (formerly Dionna Renee Odom), studied child development, meeting during their time at Cal Poly. Genesis always had the university on her radar and remembers visiting campus with her three sisters as a family (Maya Glover now is a second-year architecture major and Joia Glover is a first-year general engineering major), to listen to her father give presentations on campus. Watch a video here featuring Maya and Genesis.

Though she says her parents like to claim that they didn’t want to impact her decision, she remembers seeing Cal Poly stickers and other merchandise around the house during the college decision-making period. Genesis went on to thrive at Cal Poly, becoming a Frost Research Scholar and earning the university's MLK Legacy Award. Now, as she prepares to graduate in June with a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, Genesis reflects on her Cal Poly experience.

Your dad majored in general engineering while he was here and your mom studied child development. Is there a reason you chose biology? 

I think since I was born, I came out wanting to be a doctor, well before I knew anything that my dad was doing. It started off as a fascination with the human body. I was very active, and I would break a lot of bones when I was younger. Just being in the ER or the hospital setting, I was captivated talking about what happened, like what specific bone I broke, and what the medical people were going to do about it. And then as I got older my other friends were super active too and they would sprain an ankle or break a bone, and say, ‘Yeah, I can't go to the doctor. I can't afford it. I don't have insurance.’ And that drove me to want to go into medicine as well seeing that not everyone has access to health care. 

Your dad, Victor Glover, is a large name at Cal Poly. Have you ever been recognized on campus? 

My freshman year, I was just walking to class, and someone behind me said, “I’m sorry, is your last name Glover?” They didn't even see my face. I was talking to a friend. I didn’t think I would just get recognized off the bat on the street. It was a little surprising, but a funny story.

How did it feel to come on to campus knowing that your dad has had such an impact here and continuing his legacy? 

I love my last name. I’m very proud of my last name. I wouldn't say there's a lot of pressure there. It definitely encourages me to be better and do better because I know what people are capable of, because I do have my parents as models.

What have been some of your favorite parts of Cal Poly and the Bailey College? 

I would have to say the research. I came in here not really knowing much about research and I joined a research group my second year, and then I became a Frost scholar that same year, and I've just absolutely loved it. I think my research experience has probably been the best, not only because it teaches you how to work with other people, and also work by yourself, but you also gain that sense of determination because you're going to try something and then fail, and then try again and then fail. I spent almost a year of just trying and failing, but you just have to keep going, keep pushing.

Genesis Glover, biological sciences student.

What research have you worked on?

We were looking at Weddell seals (inhabiting Antarctica) and their protein composition and how those proteins differed at different time points of their lives. They're only found in Antarctica, and there's very little research on these seals.

Apart from academics, you have also been involved with the Black Student Union (BSU) on campus and served as vice president. Has the club played a role in your experience at Cal Poly? 

Yeah, it’s hard to find that community and sense of belonging when there are very few people who look like you, and so just being a part of that club and then also having BAEC (the Black Academic Excellence Center) available to us as well.

What was your favorite memory with the club?

A really big accomplishment while I was vice president was working together with Black Student Union President Nailah DuBose to host the ABC conference, which is the African Black Coalition Conference, back in January. I think that helped not only the Black students at Cal Poly, but maybe other Black students looking at Cal Poly.

As you're finishing your last quarter at Cal Poly, do you have plans for after graduation?

The goal is to go to Cornell to work in the anesthesiology department at their medical center, to do clinical research. But if not, then I will go back to Texas, I will get my EMT certification and my phlebotomy certification and then I'll work on my medical applications.

What’s it like to go to Cal Poly with your sisters?

When I first was here, I was alone for two years, and then my junior year, Maya came and I helped her a lot with everything. I think just having family here really helps. We're coming from Texas, so it's a big change. I think just knowing that you know at least two people here, and those two people you've known your whole life, that really helps. I think my sisters really enjoy it here.

How many family members will be here for graduation? 

All my family will be here for graduation, including those from Texas and from California, where I have extended family. I’ll also be attending Cal Poly’s Black Commencement on Friday (June 14). It will be fun because a lot of us come from different colleges (within Cal Poly), and so Black Commencement is where we all can just come together and graduate together.

Maya Glover (left) and Genesis Glover (right) together on the Cal Poly campus.