Outreach Intern Vanessa Leon

Graduating: Spring 2026
Major: Double major in Child and Adolescent development (applied developmental science) and Chicano/a Studies
Hometown: Panorama City, California

What CSUN activities are you in? If you are not involved yet, what activities do you plan on joining if any?

I am a peer mentor for CSUN Student Outreach and Recruitment internship program. As well as an Academic mentor for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).

What you like about CSUN?

I like that CSUN provides many resources for students to succeed as well as many opportunities to get involved on campus and many programs that provide guidance in different areas. As well as the educational opportunity program (EOP) that gave me an opportunity to have a place at CSUN, being a special admit. They serve students that are first generation, low income and historically educationally disadvantaged which provided me a lot of support throughout my journey at CSUN.

Why did you want to be intern?

I wanted to be an intern to be able to support students throughout their application process journey to college. Being first generation, it can be difficult navigating on your own. So I get the opportunity to share my experience with prospective students and what I now know about college, which I wish I once knew as a highschooler and incoming freshman. Also to gain experience working in the field that is alongside college counselors and serving high school students/ prospective college students. As well as sharing the amazing support and opportunities CSUN has to offer!

What are your future goals after graduation?

My future goals after graduation is to do a master's program in school counseling with a PPS credential to become a college counselor at a high school!