Castillo has been elected to the board of directors of the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation (MAOF) and the American Lung Association of Los Angeles County.

"This membership further extends CSUN's reach into the community," Castillo said of her joining the MAOF board. "I am personally interested in identifying future collaborations for underserved individuals that will increase opportunities for improving their quality of life."

As for her membership on the Lung Association's board, Castillo said that it will "create even greater opportunities for community involvement for our faculty and students."

Castillo became dean of the College of Health and Human Development in February. She succeeded Ann Stutts, who retired.

Prior to coming to Northridge, Castillo was dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services at the University of Texas-Pan American, and was active in the community there.

The Mexican American Opportunity Foundation, founded in 1962 and a United Way member since 1970, provides educational and charitable assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged people from all social backgrounds. The MAOF provides a variety of services, including Head Start, English-as-a-second language classes and senior job training.

The Los Angeles County chapter of the American Lung Association focuses its efforts on educating people about lung health for all stages of life, including an emphasis on asthma, clean air in classrooms for children and smoking cessation. It also provides support for people of all ages suffering from asthma, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis and emphysema.