September 5, 2019
By Gisselle Pernett
Tamara Solis, a community college transfer student, was a bit apprehensive about her new surroundings as a Journalism major at CSUN.
“It’s a little scary,” she said, “but new experiences are always scary.”
Solis was among more than 40 students who participated in the annual New Student Welcome Event, held recently in Manzanita Hall. The event is designed to introduce new students to the many resources and opportunities available to them as Journalism majors.
First-time freshman and transfer students gathered in a third-floor lecture room to meet professors, hear from current students and tour student media. They also had time to ask questions and to get acquainted with leaders of the five professionally-affiliated clubs.
“It was really cool meeting the other professors because I’m interested in their classes. Now that I put a name to a face all of them seem cool,” said Solis, who transferred from Mission College.
Cytllali Salgado shared Solis’ view and found meeting her professors before the semester started helpful and welcoming.
Salgado, who transferred from Moorpark College, credited the welcome event for informing her on any department resources she missed, including the Monday Memo.
Noting how excited she was to start the semester, Salgado said she was eager to learn more about journalism and what she can do in her field.
Department Chair Linda Bowen and several of the 17 full- and part-time faculty members in attendance led the event with a multimedia presentation, showcasing various student testimonials, portfolios and department resources and events.
The event’s run-down included the major’s latest curriculum redesign, which expanded courses in media storytelling and practicums to create more hands-on skills-based courses.
Current students Yulissa Alvarez, Raychel Stewart, Matthew Yahata and Luis Zuniga gave new students advice on building connections in the classroom, staying in control of interviews and getting involved in their major during the Q&A panel portion.
Incoming students were given the opportunity to meet with various clubs and media organizations, including El Nuevo Sol, Public Relations Student Society of America, Society of Professional Journalists, Radio Television Digital News Association, KCSN News and The Sundial, during the second half of the event.
To wrap up the event, new students toured the various student-run newsrooms at The Sundial, KCSN Radio and the broadcast facilities where Valley View News, Matador News and On Point are produced.