The Office of Student Involvement and Development oversees New Student Orientation and Freshman Convocation at California State University, Northridge. Should you have any questions regarding New Student Orientation, contact the Office of Student Involvement and Development at (818) 677-2393.

Christopher J. R. Aston
Assistant Director
christopher.aston@csun.edu

Christopher Aston is responsible for university programs that bookend student life at CSUN, including New Student Orientation (NSO) for freshman, transfer and international student populations, and the university’s Commencement and Honors Convocation ceremonies as well as other annual welcoming events. Mr. Aston manages and supervises the NSO leadership programs, which include a team of more than 150 leaders and mentors charged with supporting the continuous process of integrating new students into the academic, cultural and social context at CSUN. His guidance and leadership extend past the Office of Student Involvement and Development as an adjunct professor through undergraduate studies, instructing courses for University 100, the Freshman Seminar at CSUN. Additionally, Mr. Aston has taught courses in the Department of Communication Studies, where he received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees.

Ashley Simmons
Activities Coordinator

Ashley Simmons assists with the coordination and execution of the University's New Student Programs including New Student Orientation (NSO), and CSUN's welcome events, among others. She directly oversees the Commencement Ceremonies as well as the Discover, Inquire, and Grow in Los Angeles (DIG LA) programming efforts.  Ms. Simmons has worked for CSUN since 2014 after having worked within Student Affairs for both USC and Cal Poly Pomona which is where she earned her Bachelors Degree.

Connecting and collaborating with our campus colleagues allow NSO to be fresh, current, intentional, and utilizable for our new matadors!

Comprised of campus-wide professional staff and administrators the Orientation Advisory Committee (OAC) assists with the overall goal of the university’s New Student Orientation (NSO) program: “…to support the continuous process of integrating new students into the academic, cultural, and social context of CSUN.” This is accomplished by members meeting monthly to discuss and dialog on matters concerning new students which directly influence NSO and other transitional ceremony related programs (i.e. Freshman Convocation, President’s Picnic, etc..).  The Office of Student Involvement & Development (OSID) oversees the University’s effort for all orientation related programs.