Dream Center

Non-Legal Services

The DREAM Center offers our non-legal services free of charge to CSUN students, faculty, and staff. If you have any questions regarding services that aren’t listed on this page, our Virtual Assistance is available for general consultations during the specified hours Monday through Thursday.

Office Hours with Financial Aid Counselor

Fridays: 10 a.m. – Noon (Biweekly)

Financial Aid Counselors can assist students one-on-one with questions regarding their Financial Aid award status, the Dream loan, special circumstances, campus scholarships and emergency grants, and more to help you make ends meet. Please contact the DREAM Center to be connected to a Financial Aid Counselor.

Faculty Mentors

Faculty mentors can provide support with exploring graduate school, career development, research opportunities and finding academic mentors. Email professors directly to set up a meeting.

Dr. Tracy Lachica BuenavistaDr. Tracy Lachica Buenavista
She/her(s)/isúna
Asian American Studies
tracy.buenavista@csun.edu 

I consider myself a faculty ally/accomplice to the students and staff at the DREAM Center and have served as a mentor prior to the existence of institutionalized resources for undocumented students at CSUN.

Dr. Omar RuvalcabaDr. Omar Ruvalcaba
He/Him/His
Psychology
omar.ruvalcaba@csun.edu

I'm a faculty member here in the department of psychology. I grew up in Inglewood, California and my family is from Zacatecas, Mexico. I received my Ph.D. and Masters in Developmental Psychology from the UC Santa Cruz. In one thread of my research, I study culture, gender, and technology contexts (such as eSports and gaming). In the second, I focus on how first-generation immigrant students negotiate cultural practice and identity.

Dr. Daniel OlmosDr. Daniel Olmos
He/Him/His
Sociology
daniel.olmos@csun.edu

As a child of Latin American immigrants, I am dedicated to supporting students of all backgrounds, most especially those with precarious and vulnerable legal status. I truly believe that if our most vulnerable students are supported, then the entire CSUN community thrives.  

Let’s Talk by University Counseling Services

Let’s Talk is an outreach program that provides easy access to informal consultations with counselors from University Counseling Services. Counselors provide drop-in consultation hours at sites around campus throughout the week. There is no fee for this service and no appointment is needed. Students can meet for a consultation on a first-come, first-served basis. A Let’s Talk counselor is available to listen, offer support, and provide resources and problem-solving tools.

Talking can help.
Whether it is stress, sadness, difficulty adjusting to school, academic concerns, or relationship or family problems, sharing your concerns with another person can make a positive difference. Let’s Talk counselors can talk through your issue with you and help you determine the best way to get help.

Let’s Talk Wednesdays — DREAM Center
2 – 3 p.m.
Facilitated by Elizabeth Poloskov