Pathways 2 Excellence FAQs

Kickstart your journey as a proud and prepared CSUN Matador with Pathways 2 Excellence (P2E), a FREE summer transition program designed to support your success!

As a new student and P2E participant, you’ll get to know CSUN professors, staff, and other students while discovering amazing campus resources that will help you feel confident, empowered, and ready for the adventure of your first-semester as a Matador.

Learn more about the P2E program.

All P2E program options provide these benefits:

• Become part of the CSUN community this summer and get early access to campus resources.
• Focus on the transition into university culture.
• Discover your strengths and interests.
• Receive early advisement and enrollment in fall hand-selected classes.

All P2E programs share the same general start and end dates:

• TBD: Attend the P2E Kick-Off Event.
• TBD: Take your program or workshop (schedules vary).

All P2E programs include Matador Early Connections, where you’ll regularly meet with peer mentors who are also CSUN students and attend workshops about university life.

Valuable resources, technology, building community — experience it all this summer and receive support throughout your entire first year!

Information sessions will be held via Zoom in the Spring semester. 

New students can participate in P2E. However, some students should not sign up for P2E, for example:

• If you are scheduled to participate in any other CSUN summer program such as CSUN’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Summer Bridge, please do not sign up for P2E.
• If you are an international student, please do not sign up for P2E. Visit The Hub International to prepare for your fall semester.
• If you are an incoming student-athlete, please do not sign up for P2E. Visit The Matador Achievement Center to prepare for your fall semester.

If you have questions about whether or not Pathways 2 Excellence is right for you, please contact the P2E team at p2e@csun.edu.

Early Access to All Things CSUN!

Join Pathways 2 Excellence and gain early access to all things CSUN this summer, including these benefits:

• Meeting professors, classmates, staff, and CSUN student peer mentors
• CSUN technology, software, and our Device Loaner Program
• Dedicated academic advisors in the advising center for your major
• Registration in an exclusive, hand-selected fall class schedule

Academic Support

As you become a member of the CSUN community this summer and embark on your journey to a degree, you’ll also receive academic support such as:

• Workshops on university life and culture
• Tutoring and coaching
• Instant pairing with a fellow CSUN student 
• Activities to discover your strengths
• Panel discussions and on-site tours
• Help with Intent to Enroll, Title IX training, filling out FAFSA, and getting your family on board with the process

Opportunity to build academic skills for STEM majors

Students that are in any STEM majors can potentially be placed into a higher-level math class this fall by practicing for and passing an ALEKS assessment this summer.

Even More Perks

If the above benefits don’t convince you to participate, then consider these perks:

• P2E is FREE of charge to participants.
• Special treats, exclusive items, and more to enjoy!
• You can attend New Student Orientation with your P2E peers.
• Prepare for the journey at our Kick-Off Event - your family and supporters are encouraged to come.
• Enjoy the last-day, in-class Celebration Ceremony!

Past P2E student testimonials reveal that they started their first semester with self-awareness, ease, and confidence! We think you will, too!

To request accommodations to support your participation in Pathways 2 Excellence, please contact Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) or NCOD: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Services.

We're here to assist you!

If you don't find an answer in these FAQs or at Learn About the P2E Program, please email us with questions. Be sure to include your nine-digit CSUN student ID number and the best way to reach you (by email or phone).

Online information sessions via Zoom begin Spring 2026. Please check our News and Updates page. 

P2E will be held in person on the CSUN campus at scheduled times. For details, visit Learn About the P2E Program.

To serve as many incoming freshmen as possible, the P2E program is somewhat flexible. If you cannot come to campus, please email the P2E team.

Hardware

Students will need the following to participate:

• A computer, laptop, or tablet
• Webcam and working microphone
• Internet access

CSUN is here to support you! As a Pathways 2 Excellence participant and a CSUN student, you’ll have access to CSUN’s Device Loaner Program and any software you’ll need for your classes. Device loaners will be issued before the program begins and can be picked up in the University Library.

Software

As a CSUN student, you'll have access to a wealth of CSUN Student Technology Resources, including software, cloud storage, and more. For P2E this summer, you'll be using:

• Canvas learning management system
• Zoom at CSUN

To access Canvas, choose one of the methods below:

• Go to Canvas (login required).
• Go to the CSUN home page, select the MyCSUN menu and choose Canvas.
• Log in to your CSUN Portal and select the Canvas icon under “Top Tools.”

Visit the Canvas Student Guide and download the Canvas App for Students.

Need Help?

If you forget your password or need other help, visit IT FAQs for Students. You may also contact the IT Help Center as follows:

• By phone at (818) 677-1400
• Online chat, Mon. through Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ask-a-Tech Walk-In Center in the University Library. Evening hours are available, but check the schedule often.

You don’t need to choose a program option. Our team will recommend a pathway for you.

Shortly after you fill out our interest form, you'll receive an email from the P2E team sent to your CSUN email address. The email will recommend a pathway for you. You must reply to the email and select the RSVP link to complete the form in order to participate in P2E. Refer to "When and how to I sign up for Pathways 2 Excellence" on this page.

If you have any concerns about your assigned pathway, please reply to the email from p2e@csun.edu with your concern or request.

Visit Learn About the P2E Program for a description of each pathway.

Be sure to activate your CSUN Portal and Gmail account. Let's communicate!

All P2E programs share the same general start and end dates, check back soon for more details. However, each program has unique meeting days, times, and durations. Please check back shortly for the updated calendar.

Mark your calendar with these important Pathways 2 Excellence (P2E) dates, and check your CSUN email regularly for instructions from the P2E team or your professor.

Yes. All P2E program options are free of charge to participants during summer 2026. Note: The P2E program does not include housing.

Be sure to attend the Kick-Off Event to receive resources, important CSUN transportation information, and much more!

If you have questions about Pathways 2 Excellence, please email p2e@csun.edu. We look forward to meeting you this summer!

Take three easy steps to sign up for Pathways 2 Excellence this summer:

1. Go to Sign Up for P2E and complete the webform. Check back for more information.
2. Check your CSUN email for a message from the P2E team with your unique pathway recommendation, designed specifically for your major and situation. Our email will include a link to the Kick-Off Event RSVP webform.
3. Select the RSVP webform link you received in our recommendation email to confirm you will attend P2E. IMPORTANT: You must confirm your pathway with us and complete the RSVP webform in order to participate in P2E.

If you agree to join, be sure to attend our Kick-Off Event, to prepare for your journey! Bring a family member if you like.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to email us at p2e@csun.edu.

Reminder: EOP students and student-athletes should join their respective summer programs by checking their CSUN email for details. International students should visit The Hub International Advising Center website to prepare for the fall semester.

Once you sign up for P2E, the P2E team will send your recommended pathway to your CSUN email address. Pathway recommendations will be sent out once a week beginning April 2026.

When you receive our recommendation email, be sure to select the RSVP link to confirm you will attend P2E. You must confirm your pathway with us and complete the RSVP webform in order to participate in P2E.