On Saturday, Admitted Matadors Day offered both declared and undeclared students a campus-wide informational event. Incoming students were able to learn about financial aid, housing and different majors offered.
The event also hosted guided campus tours by the CSUN University Ambassadors. Xithlaly Rodriguez, president of the group, said the event is important to showcase what the campus has to offer, telling students stories behind the campus’ history.
“It’s even better when we introduce it to them,” she said. ”The whole reason why us students do what we do is because we have such a love for CSUN.”
Rodriguez also mentioned the importance of seeing CSUN alumni who are now parents to incoming students coming on the tours as well.
“It’s really nice seeing their interactions with their kids, saying, ‘This wasn’t here before when I used to go here.’ So now, the parents realize the campus has a lot more to offer,” Rodriguez said.
Around tents stationed in front of the library, new students spoke with different hosts for each major. Freshman Davion Gray spoke about his expectations for his first academic year at CSUN.
“To learn a lot, meet new people and have new experiences this year,” he said, explaining that his reasoning for choosing CSUN is his mother, who also attended the university.
The College of Science and Mathematics table had plenty of students meeting with the faculty and learning about the available degrees. Associate Dean and Professor of Biology Robert Espinoza answered questions while holding the college’s mascot, Kamala, a black and white tegu from South America.
“The biggest questions have been what’s the difference between a bachelor of arts and a bachelor of science, so we explain what those are,” Espinoza said. ”We have seven biology degree options in the department, so there’s lots of variety to choose from.”
One of the recently admitted is Kiley Kruse, an incoming freshman biology major.
“I’ve always liked science,” she said. “I’ve always liked health-related stuff, and I want to go into the medical field, so I think [biology’s] a great place to start.”
Freshman Admissions Evaluator Carlyn Valencia was among those directing the large wave of students and their families. According to her, some of the next steps to success include completing the intent to register and Title IX training to register for fall semester classes.
Students congregated in the newly renamed Ronni and Shepherd Goodman Hall, where the dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yan Searcy, spoke about the different tables present.
“There was a long line this morning when I walked in,” Searcy said. “Most of the students and their family members seem to be engaged. We get better at this every year.”
Admitted Matadors Day offered students a clearer understanding of what the year will look like, introducing support systems that the university has provided to lead incoming students to a successful admission.
“It’s been really informative and cool to see everything in real life on campus,” freshman admit Elena Mankowski said, “and have people in person give you more details about what I’ll be doing as a freshman, living on campus.”
