About Us

Hello New Matadors

Congratulations and welcome to CSUN! New Student Orientation will give you the opportunity to become familiar with the campus, obtain valuable information on how to succeed academically, as well as how to get involved on campus. More importantly, you will learn your role in our university and become part of the CSUN community.

This Orientation website will assist you in your transition to the university and is a reference that can be used throughout your career at CSUN. The website is a valuable tool that contains important policies and service information, serves as a resource for services, club information, organization details and campus events, as well as provide a link to your orientation leaders and an opportunity for you to become a leader.

We hope you will enjoy being a part of the CSUN community and that your experiences here will stay with you for a lifetime. The campus community is committed to making your transition as meaningful and smooth as possible. We encourage you to ask questions, get involved and take advantage of all the resources CSUN has to offer you

Best wishes,

New Student Orientation Team

Staff Profiles and Contact Information

Christopher J. R. Aston
Director
(818) 677-2393 | christopher.aston@csun.edu

Christopher Aston is responsible for programs and services within the Department of Student Development & Transitional Programs and has been involved in the creation and implementation of University events and programs that bookend student life at CSUN for over 20 years. Areas within his portfolio include New Student Orientation (NSO) for freshman, transfer, and international student populations, university Commencements and convocations and other welcoming and transition related events as well as the management and supervision of talented professional staff, student coordinators, and more than 250 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 this department as an adjunct professor through undergraduate studies, instructing courses for University 100, the Freshman Seminar at CSUN. Additionally, Christopher has taught courses in the Department of Communication Studies, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Gabrielle Danis
Assistant Director, New Student & Family Programs
(818) 677-2393 | gabrielle.danis@csun.edu

Gabrielle Danis is responsible for the coordination and event planning all departmental programs surrounding New Students and Families. Ms. Danis has worked for the university professionally since 2016. She attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for her undergraduate degree and worked in the Office of Student Involvement and Development as a student assistant. Ms. Danis received her Master's in Education, with an emphasis in Postsecondary Administration, from the University of Southern California in 2018. She has experience in developing programs for 200+ students, staff, and faculty due to her work with New Student Orientation. She is well-versed in all it means to be a CSUN Matador. Her professional philosophy is "to be a resource for all students I serve, both as a mentor and advocate, and assist them in their right to a quality education."

Frankie Benkovic
Activities Coordinator, New Student Orientation
(818) 677-2393 | frank.benkovic@csun.edu

Frankie Benkovic is responsible for overseeing all New Student Orientation programs. He has worked six orientation seasons as an orientation leader, TAKE cast member, student coordinator, and now as a professional staff member. Frankie graduated with his bachelor's degree in Communication Students and Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration both from CSUN. He is passionate about student development and social justice. His personal belief is that "everyone is deserving of seeking quality education no matter who they are or where they came from."

Theresa Hadden
Office Manager
theresa.hadden@csun.edu