Awards
This is a collection of recognitions and honors awarded to the University Student Union (USU) by off-campus organizations from 2005 through the present. These accolades include prestigious accomplishments by our student employees, staff and the USU as a whole through leadership, creativity and a shared dedication to our mission.
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2024 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Denver, Spring 2024
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Cards/Invitations
First Place
Matador Nights (Fall 2023)
Designer: Julissa Garcia / Copywriter: Tomaz Gonzalez / Project Coordinator: Jennifer Sanchez
Posters
Third Place
Black History Month
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Tomas Gonzalez / Project Coordinator: Celine Campos
Promotional Items
First Place
USU Tote Bag
Designer: Uriel Rueda / Project Coordinator: Malahat Zhobin
Third Place
DREAM Center Stickers
Designer: James Mazen / Copywriter: Kyle Hufnagel / Project Coordinator: Rayyan Bahazeq
Social Media Campaign
First Place
Oasis Trailer
Project Coordinators: Gabbie Puzon, Malahat Zhobin / Videographers: Jon Belmont, Rafael De Souza Bueno, Steven Wein
Websites
Third Place
Annual Report 2021–22
Designer: James Matzen, Steven Wein / Copywriter: Reema Haque / Videographers: Jon Belmont, Briana Walden
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2023 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Boston, Spring 2023
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Website
Second Place
Annual Report 2021
Designers: James Matzen, Steven Wein / Copywriter: Kyle Hufnagel / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner / Videographers: Mifiel Valdes and David Tschan
T-Shirts
Third Place
Intramural Sports Championship Tee
Designer: Saul Prado / Copywriter: Kyle Hufnagel / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Posters
Second Place
Disrupting Racism Through the Lens of Langston Hughes
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Sarah Weitzel / Project Coordinator: Celine Campos
Third Place
Influencer Series
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Sarah Weitzel / Project Coordinator: Celine Campos
Logos
Honorable Mention
Board of Directors Logo
Designer: James Matzen / Project Coordinator: Amina Hopkins
Third Place
Summit Logo
Designer: Natalie Ball / Project Coordinator: Bianca Rivera
Interior/Wall Art
Honorable Mention
DREAM Center Window Graphics
Designer: James Matzen / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Calendars/Schedules
Honorable Mention
Maximize Your Matador Experience Sundial Ad
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Kyle Hufnagel / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2022 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Chicago, Spring 2022
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Brochures
First Place
We Are Here
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Sarah Weitzel / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Cards/Invitations
Third Place
Year-End Celebration
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Tristan Cold / Project Coordinator: Troy Thornton
Third Place
AroDynamic spACE
Designer: Mirna Girgis / Copywriter: Tristan Cold / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Honorable Mention
Bi, Pan, Poly Power
Designer: Ina Lim / Copywriter: Stephanie Ruiz / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Logos
First Place
Summer Trivia
Designer: Cayti Dilley / Project Coordinator: Troy Thornton
Honorable Mention
Summer Steps
Designer: Leila Mirfakhraei / Project Coordinator: Troy Thornton
Posters
Second Place
Fat, Queer Power
Designer: Cayti Dilley / Copywriter: Stephanie Ruiz / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Honorable Mention
Building Frameworks to Become an Anti-Racist Community
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Sarah Weitzel / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Signs/Banners
Second Place
New Heart of Campus Fence Graphic
Designer: James Matzen / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Social Media Campaign
Third Place
Welcome Back Week
Designer: James Matzen / Copywriter: Sarah Weitzel / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Honorable Mention
Yesterday’s Struggles In Today’s Times
Designer: Ina Lim / Copywriter: Stephanie Ruiz / Project Coordinator: Mia Lubliner
Video Category
First Place
Welcome Back to CSUN and Your University Student Union
Videographer: David Tschan, Mifiel Valdes / Poet: Alex Salazar
Third Place
Welcome Back to the Student Recreation Center
Videographer: Mifiel Valdes
Website Category
Second Place
Annual Report 2019–20
Designer: James Matzen & Steven Wein / Copywriter: Kyle Hufnagel, Michael Niles / Project Coordination: Mia Lubliner
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2019 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Indianapolis, Spring 2019
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Cards/Invitations Category
Third Place
The Blend at the VRC
USU Marketing/Kat Hawley, Calvin Sam, Isa Hernandez
Wall Art Category
Third Place
You Belong Right Here
USU Marketing/Juli Shih, Jenny Soto
Promotional Products Category
Third Place
U Are So Much S’more
USU Marketing/Rubaie Jaffer, Jenny Soto
T-Shirt Category
Second Place
Out in the Garden
USU Marketing/Rubaie Jaffer, Jenny Soto
Honorable Mention
Intramural Sports G.O.A.T.
USU Marketing/Cuauhtémoc Aleman, Troy Thornton
Video Category
Third Place
USU BOD Elections
USU Marketing/Mifiel Valdes, Kyle Hufnagel, Isa Hernandez, Michael Niles, Steven Wein
Website Category
Third Place
Annual Report 2016–17
USU Marketing/James Matzen, Steven Wein, Kyle Hufnagel, Michael Niles, Jenny Soto
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2018 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Anaheim, Spring 2018
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Cards/Invitations Category
Honorable Mention
Veterans Resource Center Five-Year Celebration
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Logo/Brand Identity Category
Third Place
U Are So Much S’more
USU Marketing/Rubaie Jaffer
Honorable Mention
LGBTQ People of Color
USU Marketing/Daisy Ramirez
Poster Category
First Place
Five Years of Pride
USU Marketing/James Matzen
T-Shirt Category
Third Place
Matador Nights — Hollywood
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Third Place
Matador Nights 3017
USU Marketing/Juli Shih
Video/Animation Category
Third Place
The Pride Center
USU Marketing/Mifiel Valdes
Website Category
Honorable Mention
Annual Report 2015–16
USU Marketing/James Matzen & Steven Wein
Regional Conference — San Diego, Fall 2018
Region I Awards
Matt Cameron Outstanding Student Award
Tori Lawler, Student Operations Assistant
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Apparel & Clothing Category
First Place
Intramural Sports Champion
USU Marketing/Cuauhtémoc Aleman
Banners/Large Scale Media Category
First Place
You Belong Right Here
USU Marketing/Juli Shih
Cards/Invitations/Postcards Category
Third Place
The Blend
USU Marketing/Kat Hawley
Logo/Brand Identity Category
Second Place
Operation Forty-Eight Hour Challenge
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Third Place
Trans* Awareness Week
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Open Category
Second Place
Wall of Success/Wall of Failure
USU Marketing/Juli Shih
Second Place
U Are So Much S’more
USU Marketing/Rubaie Jaffer
Promotional Campaign Category
First Place
Facilities Branding Campaign
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Signs/Signage Category
First Place
Student Art Collection
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Website Category
First Place
University Student Union at CSUN Annual Report 2016–2017
USU Marketing/James Matzen & Steven Wein
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2017 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Philadelphia, Spring 2017
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Cards/Invitations Category
First Place
Intersectionality of Gender and Race of Black Students
USU Marketing/Riselle Triñanes
Apparel Category
Second Place
Matador Nights 90s T-Shirt
USU Marketing/Riselle Triñanes & Evan Jackson
Brochures Category
Second Place
Student Veteran Orientation Program
USU Marketing/Riselle Triñanes
Videos Promotions Category
Third Place
SRC at CSUN
USU Marketing/Matthew Mucci
Signage Category
Third Place
Computer Lab Signage
USU Marketing/Ellada Davtyan
Websites Category
Third Place
Annual Report
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Regional Conference — Tucson, Fall 2017
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Apparel Category
Third Place
Matador Nights 3017 T-shirt
USU Marketing/Juli Shih
Large Scale Media Category
First Place
VRC Window Display
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Logos Category
First Place
Student Summit
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Posters Category
Second Place
WISDOM
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Videos Category
First Place
Pride Center
USU Marketing/Mifiel Valdes
Second Place
VRC
USU Marketing/Mifiel Valdes
Third Place
SRC at CSUN
USU Marketing/Mifiel Valdes & Matt Mucci
Websites Category
First Place
Annual Report 15–16 “An Oasis of Student Success”
USU Marketing/James Matzen & Steven Wein
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2016 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
California State University System
The Wang Family Excellence Award — Outstanding Administrator
Debra L. Hammond, USU Executive Director
NIRSA (National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association)
Outstanding Sports Facility Award
Oasis Wellness Center
ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects)
Institutional Design Honor Award
Oasis Wellness Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — New Orleans, Spring 2016
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Websites Category
Best in Show & First Place
Annual Report 2014–15
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Apparel Category
First Place
Trans* Awareness Week T-Shirt
USU Marketing/Max Murillo
Posters Category
Honorable Mention
We <3 Our Veterans
USU Marketing/Ellada Davtyan
Region I Conference — Berkeley, Fall 2016
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Posters Category
First Place
Matador Nights Mardi Gras
USU Marketing/Ellada Davtyan
Cards/Invitations Category
First Place
Matador Nights Mardi Gras Flier
USU Marketing/Ellada Davtyan
Second Place
The Intersectionality of Gender and Race of Black Students Flier
USU Marketing/Riselle Triñanes
Signs/Banners Category
First Place
Computer Lab Signage
USU Marketing/Ellada Davtyan
Large Scale Media Category
First Place
Board of Directors Information Display
USU Marketing/Evan Jackson
Video Promotion Category
First Place
Oasis Wellness Center Grand Opening
USU Marketing/Matt Mucci
Third Place
Wireless Printing Video Campaign
USU Marketing/Matt Mucci
Websites Category
First Place
USU Annual Report 2014-15
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Logos/Brand Identity Category
Second Place
Trans* Awareness Week
USU Marketing/Max Murillo
Apparel Category
Third Place
Trans* Awareness Week T-Shirt
USU Marketing/Max Murillo
Brochures Category
Third Place
Student Veteran Orientation Program
USU Marketing/Riselle Triñanes
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2015 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
44th Annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards
Los Angeles Business Council
Architectural Award for Education
The Student Recreation Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — San Antonio, Spring 2015
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Apparel Category
Second Place
Living the Matador Life T-Shirt
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Posters Category
Honorable Mention
Pride Center Book Club Poster
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Region I Conference — Las Vegas, Fall 2015
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Maps & Directories Category
First Place
Electronic Map and Directory Display
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Websites Category
Second Place
Annual Report 2013–2014
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Signage Category
Second Place
Oasis Wellness Center Signage
USU Marketing/Max Murillo
Video Promotions Category
Second Place
Matador Nights Aloha Video Promo
USU Marketing/Matt Mucci & Anthony Brown
Logos/Brand Identity Category
Third Place
Oasis Wellness Center Logo
USU Marketing/Carol Nguyen
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2014 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Region I Conference — La Verne, Fall 2014
Region I Awards
Region I ICONS Inductees
Debra Hammond, Executive Director, University Student Union
Patrick Bailey, Director, Office of Student Involvement and Development
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Websites Category
First Place
Annual Report 2012–13
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Posters Category
First Place
Meet. Relax. Eat.
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Second Place
Pride Center Book Club
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Brochures Category
First Place
PBS Visionaries
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Open Category
First Place
USU Ball Pit Signage
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Apparel Category
Third Place
Living the Matador Life Mission Statement
USU Marketing/Anthony Brown
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2013 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
AIA (American Institute of Architects)
AIA Committee of Architecture for Education — Facility Design Award
Student Recreation Center
AIA — San Fernando
Design Award, Citation
The Student Recreation Center
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Gold Status Certification
The Student Recreation Center
NIRSA (National Intramural and Recreational Sports Association)
Outstanding Sports Facility Award
The Student Recreation Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — St. Louis, Spring 2013
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Posters Category
Second Place
Murder Mystery Dinner and Show
USU Marketing/Christina Balansay
Print Advertisements Category
Third Place
Matador Burger Ad
USU Marketing/Elmore Villanueva
Region 15 Conference — Honolulu, Fall 2013
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Posters Category
First Place
Fagbug
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Third Place
Pride Center Online Chat
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Honorable Mention
Tuesday Talks
USU Marketing/Marlene Orozco
Cards/Invitations Category
First Place
Fagbug
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Brochures Category
First Place
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Websites Category
First Place
Annual Report 2011–12
USU Marketing/James Matzen & Steven Wein
Large Scale Media Category
Second Place
Red Rally Pub Graphics
USU Marketing/Anthony Brown
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2012 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
AIA (American Institute of Architects) — Orange County
Design and Vision Award, Citation
The Student Recreation Center
Athletic Business
Facility Merit Award
The Student Recreation Center
COTE-SD (Committee of the Environment — San Diego)
COTE-SD Design and Visions Award
The Student Recreation Center
Pacific Coast Builders Conference
Gold Nugget Award for Greenest Sustainable Commercial Project
The Student Recreation Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Boston, Spring 2012
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Multipage Publication Category
First Place
Annual Report 2009–10
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Cards/Invitations Category
Second Place
Lt. Dan Choi Flier
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Third Place
Ready. Set. Go.
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Brochures Category
Second Place
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Region 15 Conference — Sacramento, Fall 2012
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Print Advertisements Category
First Place
Matador Burger Ad
USU Marketing/Elmore Villanueva
Brochures Category
First Place
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Multipage Documents Category
First Place
Annual Report 2010–11
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Websites Category
Second Place
Pride Center
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Third Place
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Maps & Directories Category
Second Place
Student Recreation Center Touch Screen
USU Marketing/Steven Wein
Logo/Brand Identity Category
Third Place
Pride Center
James Matzen
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2011 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
AIA (American Institute of Architects) — San Fernando
Design Award, Merit
The Student Recreation Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Chicago, Spring 2011
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Miscellaneous Category
Second Place
Talking Mannequins Display — Matador Nights
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Multipage Publications Category
Second Place
Annual Report 2008–09
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Signage Category
Second Place
Go Green Sustainability Campaign
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Posters Category
Second Place
Hands for Haiti
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Cards/Invitations Category
Honorable Mention
Up All Night
USU Marketing/Randall Loui
Logo/Brand Identity Category
Honorable Mention
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Signs/Banners Category
Honorable Mention
Footprints/Hopscotch Way Finding
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Region 15 Conference — Los Angeles, Fall 2011
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Promotional Campaign Category
First Place
Student Recreation Center Promotion
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Maps & Directories Category
First Place
University Student Union Directory
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Multipage Publications Category
First Place
Annual Report 2009–10
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Second Place
Student Recreation Center Identity Standards
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Websites Category
First Place
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/Kevin Chow
Second Place
University Student Union
USU Marketing/Kevin Chow
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2010 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
AIA (American Institute of Architects) — Orange County
Design Award, Merit
The Student Recreation Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — New York, Spring 2010
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Posters Category
First Place
Griffith Observatory
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Honorable Mention
A Black Man‘s Odyssey in the KKK
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Region 15 Conference — Reno, Fall 2010
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Multipage Publications Category
Second Place
Annual Report
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Logo/Brand Identity Category
Third Place
Student Recreation Center
USU Marketing/James Matzen
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2009 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
AIA (American Institute of Architects) — San Fernando
Design Award, Citation
The Student Recreation Center
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Anaheim, Spring 2009
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Logo/Brand Identity Category
First Place
Klotz Student Health Center
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Multipage Publications Category
First Place
Annual Report
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Brochures Category
Second Place
Unlock Your Potential
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Signs/Banners Category
Honorable Mention
University Student Union Oath Scrolling Banner
USU Marketing/Eric Wilkinson & Randall Loui
Posters Category
Honorable Mention
Spring Into Service
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Promotional Campaign Category
Honorable Mention
Matador Nights ‘80s
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Region 15 Conference — San Bernardino, Fall 2009
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
T-Shirt Category
First Place
CSUN T-Shirt
USU Marketing/Randall Loui
Cards/Invitations Category
Second Place
USU Grand Reunion Postcard
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Brochures Category
Second Place
Leadership and Life Skills
USU Marketing/Eric Wilkinson
Logo/Brand Identity Category
Third Place
Games Room
USU Marketing/Monique Herrera
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2008 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — New Orleans, Spring 2008
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Cards/Invitations Category
First Place & Best in Show
Matafest
USU Marketing/Tiffany Olay
First Place
More Served
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Second Place
Matador Nights Circus
USU Marketing/Mauricio Urquilla
Posters Category
First Place
Pub After Dark
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Brochures Category
First Place
University Student Union Brochure
USU Marketing/Sean Ruge & Tiffany Olay
Calendars Category
Second Place
Make More Noise
USU Marketing/Tiffany Olay
Multipage Publications Category
Honorable Mention
Meeting Services
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Region 15 Conference — Las Vegas, Fall 2008
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Websites Category
First Place
University Student Union
USU Marketing
Brochures Category
Second Place
University Student Union
USU Marketing
Other Category
Third Place
E-News and Views
USU Marketing
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2006 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Kansas City, Spring 2006
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Promotional Campaigns Category
Second Place
Most Know
USU Marketing/Daniel Echeverri & James Matzen
Miscellaneous Category
Honorable Mention
Ice Cream Social & Craft Corner
USU Marketing/James Matzen
A listing of the awards the University Student Union at CSUN received during the calendar year 2005 from off-campus entities at the city, state, regional, national and international level.
ACUI (Association of College Unions International)
Annual Conference — Reno, Spring 2005
Steal This Idea — Creative Awards
Posters Category
First Place
Rock Climbing
USU Marketing/James Matzen
Websites Category
First Place
University Student Union
USU Marketing/Daniel Echeverri