Amy Pizano
Hello Matadors,
My name is Amy Pizano Flores, I hope all of you are doing well. I am a sophomore majoring in sociology. I hope to pursue a degree in sociology and become an attorney related to family services. Some things I enjoy doing when I have free time is hiking, going to the beach and trying new foods. As a second year student I understand how difficult the transition to a new environment is. I was a mentee my first year and had an amazing experience learning about all the resources CSUN provides and how to use them. This made the transition from high school to college easier. Now my goal is to help you navigate your way around campus here and provide you with information that will help you these next couple of years of school.
Cindy Quintanilla
Hello there! My name is Cindy Quintanilla and I am a sophomore here at CSUN. My major is biotechnology and using that major I plan to go to dental school and eventually become an orthodontist. Besides dentistry, another one of my passions is playing softball. I was the softball team captain of my high school and try to play softball any chance I get. My position was catcher and I chose to do this because of its challenge. It’s said to be one of the most challenging positions in softball/baseball but I love it. I love to challenge myself because I know that doing so will just improve my skills. I also really love to game in my spare time, whether it's a simple phone app or playing the latest Mario game on my Nintendo switch. But yea, that basically me in a nutshell.
Evelyn Morales
Hi, My name is Evelyn and happy that you let me be your mentor. I am a senior at Mike Curb College of Arts. In between writing papers and exams, one of my goals was to get involved on campus and the mentorship program was an exciting opportunity to do so! As a transfer student from Los Angeles Valley College, I relish the opportunity to meet new people in class and on campus activities after the ZOOM era. Originally, I wanted to be a public relations specialist, but am open to new career paths. This program is a chance for me to lead new students to college life. After graduation, I hope to go to graduate school.
Grace Li
Welcome to CSUN the mentor program! My name is Grace and I am a Deaf Studies student. This is my senior year now! Some fun facts about me are that I know three languages: Chinese, English, American Sign Language. In my free time I love to read books, planning road trips during the semester and I love outdoor sports such as snowboarding and rock climbing. It is my TOP favorite things I must to do in free time! Before I joined the mentor program, I joined the CSUN Women’s Rugby Club. I love joining new clubs and doing activities on campus because I can experience different events and I can mingle with other people, make new friends and involve myself in the CSUN community. By becoming a mentor, my goal is to give my energy to my mentee and help them think positively! By keeping a positive mindset, you can accomplish any goals you set your mind to. I also want my mentees to know that I love to share my CSUN experiences to help them succeed on campus.
Joshua Hurst
Hello New Matadors, I would like to welcome all of you to CSUN. My name is Joshua Hurst. My pronouns are he/him/his and I am one of the many peer mentors here in the CSUN mentorship program. A little about myself is that I am a sophomore, majoring in TV production focusing on visual editing. I also work as a music producer and artist on the side mastering in different genres like Alternative Hip Hop, NEO Soul, and RnB. On campus, I am heavily involved in many different communities. I work at the Student Development and Transitional Programs as apart of the New Student Orientation program, where you probably recognized me from the TAKE 35 Performance during your orientation ;). I also work part time as an IT assistant in the library on weekends. On my off time I love to play basketball at the SRC and make different music with my friends. As a Peer Mentor, my personal goal is to be there for all of my mentees socially and emotionally, and let them know that it is ok to ask for guidance and support whenever it is needed. As humans, we can’t do things alone, especially when we are stepping into a new environment. So it is my job as a peer mentor to make sure that each mentee that I encounter has the right amount confidence and knowledge necessary to navigate their way through college in the best way possible. I am excited to meet all of you and start the journey of growth and self discovery in your first year in college. Remember, there's always a community for you here at CSUN.
Matthew Garcia
Howdy, my name is Matthew Garcia and I am a computer science major that specializes in web development. I am currently a Front End Developer with the ARCS program for a project. In general, I have a passion to be a leader and develop new software. Recent technological advances excite me to the point where I’d like to build the next industrial revolution. I am an early 2000’s person due to my brother. I also love to go to concerts with my favorite show being System of a Down. Other bands such as Blink-182, Nirvana, and Red Hot Chilli Peppers. My favorite games include Super Mario Sunshine, Metroid Prime, and Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. I also spend much of my free time wandering around the forest with friends. Cruising through the canyons or hiking alongside a river is what makes me feel alive. As great men have said, life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. Life’s a gift and I don’t intend on wasting it. You don’t know what hand you’re gonna get dealt next.
Michael Sendin
Hello, my name is Michael A. Sendin. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am a Mechanical Engineering student at the College of Engineering here on campus and I am currently going into my 7th year here at CSUN. Since my time here on campus I have been involved in many programs and events that are here. To list some of the programs that I have joined are the New Student Orientation (NSO), Tabletop Board Game Club, and going into my first year of being a Peer Mentor. Some events that I have been a part of at CSUN are the matador movie nights, and Matador nights. Interesting fact I have also volunteered to help Matador nights many years ago. It was not much work they had the volunteers help with set up and decorating.
Nathan Kauma
Oscar Noguez Chavez
Hello, how are you all? Welcome freshmen to CSUN. I'm Oscar NC and my pronouns are he/him/his, and I'm a Matador sophomore majoring in Animation and Visual Effects at the Mike Curb College of Arts Media & Communication Department. During my free time, I enjoy listening to music in English and Spanish, playing Super Mario games, and spending time with my family, and my friends. My academic goals are to be able to graduate in my Senior year and continue studying for a Master's in Animation while working in the field of animation. Here at CSUN, I am a DRES (Disability Resources and Educational Services) student, I am a Peer Mentor for the CSUN Mentorship Program, and I also participate as an NSO leader in the CSUN New Student Orientation. Before working for the Mentorship Program, I used to work for the CSUN Theater Department as a Student Clerical Assistant. Being part of these programs has allowed me to socialize with other people, make new friends, feel part of the community, helping other students. As a Peer Mentor, I want to do whatever it takes to help all freshmen feel welcome and let them know that they are not alone in facing the obstacles of academics and social experience.
Sara Lim
Hello! I’m Sara, and I’m a junior at CSUN double majoring in Art with a focus in graphic design and Asian American Studies. After I graduate I hope to work in book publishing or print design. In my freshmen year I was a mentee of a mentorship program here at CSUN, and it helped greatly. Without my mentor I would have been lost in the enormity of new things that is college. In my free time I like to read, play casual video games, and learn new things. I enjoy picking up phrases in new languages and learning about new cultures. I hope we’re able to learn new things together.
Sumedha
Greetings everyone! I'm Sumedha, a sophomore majoring in Computer Information Technology and a peer mentor in the CSUN Mentorship program. In my role, I extend a warm welcome to incoming students at CSUN through "New Student Orientation," "Meet the Clubs," and various cultural gatherings. I'm dedicated to aiding them in setting and achieving their goals while organizing enjoyable mixers for their first year on campus. Beyond my academic responsibilities, I'm passionate about Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, which I envision as the cornerstone of my future career. I joined CSUN last year and have been an active member of the Mentorship program ever since. It has been instrumental in helping me forge valuable connections and friendships. My journey at CSUN is going amazing, and I'm eager to make yours just as exciting. During my downtime, you'll often find me on the badminton court or out enjoying a good meal.
Tumi Akinbohun
Hello all. Welcome to CSUN. I am Oluwatumininu Akinbohun but you can call me Tumi and my pronouns are HIM/He/his. I am a first generation, African American. I’m a junior majoring in Kinesiology. During my free time, I enjoy playing soccer and watching anime, and hanging out with friends. My academic goals are to graduate and receive my bachelor’s degree and go to Med school. Here at CSUN, I am a captain of a soccer club for intramural sports. I am also apart of CSUN archery, CSUN boxing and CSUN tennis. I am also a peer mentor for the CSUN mentorship program and I am a NSO leader for the CSUN new student orientation. I am also a member of the CSUN pre-physical therapy club and CSUN wrestling club as well as the CSUN anime club. Being apart of these programs has allowed me to leave my comfort zone and socialize and meet new friends as well as develop my interpersonal skills and leadership skills. As a peer mentor, my goal is to help students transition into college and realize their full potential. I also want to inspire students to defy the odds, make new friends and know that they aren’t alone.
Vanessa Castellanos
Hi everyone! I’m Vanessa and my pronouns are she/her. I am currently a junior at CSUN, I was a transfer student in Spring 2023. I transferred from Los Angeles Pierce College, and I am majoring in Psychology and double minoring in Marketing and Anthropology. My goal is to be a college counselor to help the future generations navigate their college experience whether that is finding out which classes they should take or even finding out what they would like to study in college. I like reading books, binge watching tv shows and watching Disney movies. Other than being a peer mentor in the Mentorship Program, I am also going to be involved in the AME Program which is a Advising and Mentoring program by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. This will be my first year as a Peer Mentor in the program and although I am nervous, I am also excited to help my future mentees with their personal and academic goals.
Zareen-Atia Supti
Hey ya’ll! Zareen Atia Supti here and I just became a senior here at CSUN, majoring in Computer Science. I am an international transfer student in the US living my dream life to the fullest (YaY). I really love to connect with people and learn about their culture. I joined the CSUN Mentorship Program as a mentee in my first semester which really helped me to get out of my shell and engage more on campus. I am also an orientation leader in NSO which helped me to know our resourceful campus well. Now I can not wait to provide the same support to other students coming to CSUN. Being a Mentor, I want to help students overcoming their fear of college and let them know that they’re not alone and provide them with the resources that CSUN offers to us.