Meet the Front Porch Staff
Our Team
Our team is made up of people who believe in the power of showing up. Whether we're making coffee, planning events, leading trips, or sharing a meal, our hope is that every student feels welcomed, known, and reminded that they matter.
Joel Drenckpohl
Executive Director
If you've spent any time at Front Porch, you've probably met Joel.
He's usually somewhere between making a pot of coffee, welcoming someone through the front door, asking a thoughtful question, or sitting down for a conversation that lasts longer than either person expected.
Since becoming Executive Director in 2013, Joel has helped shape Front Porch into a place where college students can know they matter, build meaningful relationships, and experience life together. His heart is simple: create spaces where every student is welcomed, valued, and reminded they have something meaningful to offer the world.
Before coming to Front Porch, Joel worked in church ministry and nonprofit leadership. He studied Communications at Whitworth University and earned a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.
When he's away from Front Porch, you'll likely find him camping, surfing, gardening, coaching baseball, or spending time with his wife, Kristi, and their three kids.
Dominique Floyd
Associate Director
Dominique was introduced to Front Porch through her husband, Barrett, who experienced it as a Cal Poly student. Seeing the impact this community had on his life sparked her own desire to be part of it. After graduating from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Psychology, she joined Front Porch as an intern in 2015 and became Associate Director in 2017.
Today, she spends her time dreaming up new ideas, planning events, making coffee, telling the story of Front Porch, and helping create spaces where people feel genuinely welcomed and known.
What she loves most about Front Porch is its everyday rhythm. Students don't just stop by once, they come back. The ordinary moments like a cup of coffee, a shared meal, or a familiar face slowly become friendships, trust, and a community where people know they belong.
Outside of Front Porch, Dominique loves reading a good book, walking the dogs, exploring the Central Coast with Barrett and Fletcher, and lingering around the table with family and friends.
She believes some of life's most meaningful moments happen around a table, over a meal, or in an unhurried conversation. Her hope is that everyone who walks through Front Porch's doors leaves feeling a little more connected than when they arrived.
Ashton Flogio
InternAshton graduated from Cal Poly in 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration and a concentration in Accounting. After friends invited him to an open mic night, he quickly fell in love with Front Porch and its community.As a student, Front Porch became the place where he spent much of his time—studying, volunteering, hanging out with friends, and jamming in the back room. When Front Porch started looking for new staff members, there was no doubt he wanted to get in on the fun.
Today, Ashton is excited to be part of the team that helps make Front Porch the go to third place for so many students. He also stays involved in the local San Luis Obispo music scene and plays shows around town whenever he can.
Ellie Little
InternEllie graduated from Cal Poly in 2025 with a B.A. in Sociology, with a concentration in organizations. She first discovered Front Porch through a group project, where she learned about the organization's mission, values, and operations. Most importantly she discovered how Front Porch is a space where students can feel loved and seen. Soon after, Front Porch became part of her weekly routine.
When she saw that Front Porch had an internship opening, she knew she wanted to be part of an organization that makes a real impact on students and offers a safe space for so many who need it. On staff, she loves helping put on events that bring students together, such as Grandma Club, Porch Nights, and camping trips. She’s proud to be contributing to a space and relationships where people feel known, appreciated, and can be their authentic selves.
When she's not at Front Porch, Ellie enjoys surfing at the rock, trying new coffee shops and restaurants in SLO, camping, cooking dinner with friends, exploring new parts of California, and working on crochet projects.
Roxy Hudson
InternRoxy graduated from Cal Poly in 2026 with a B.S. in Applied Nutrition. One day during her Freshman year of college, she stumbled into this cozy little coffee shop called Front Porch. After seeing the cheerful volunteers, colorful mugs that filled the room, and flyers promoting free food and community events, it was so evident how special this place was. It’s not just a study spot; it’s a home for students of all backgrounds to show up as they are and feel celebrated for that existence. Roxy loved experiencing the generosity and kindness that this space had to offer, and after spending almost four years in this home, she couldn’t imagine her life without it. Now, Roxy has the privilege of referring to herself as one of the 2026 Front Porch interns. In this role, she hopes to incorporate her love of creativity, her dedication to kindness and community, and her appreciation for the world around her into further creating a culture of comfort and community within this space. In her free time, Roxy enjoys knitting, experiencing SLO’s best coffee and matcha, reading, exploring California, attending local events and concerts, and spending time with her wonderful friends and family.
A community built together.
Every quarter, more than 500 Cal Poly and Cuesta students volunteer at Front Porch.
They're the people making coffee, welcoming students at the coffee bar, washing mugs, keeping the space stocked, and serving hundreds of meals every Wednesday night. Their generosity and hospitality shape the everyday experience of Front Porch.
Behind the scenes, our staff leads the vision, operations, programming, and care that keep Front Porch running year round.
And our community extends far beyond campus.
Local volunteers prepare Wednesday dinners, serve meals alongside students, mentor, lend their skills, and give their time in countless ways. Together with our staff and student volunteers, they're part of the network of people who make Front Porch possible.
Front Porch has always been more than a coffeehouse. It's a community built by people who believe every student deserves a place where they are welcomed, known, and valued.
