CSUN Mentorship Program Team
Our mentors represent a variety of backgrounds, from academic colleges and on-campus organizations to personal identities and experiences at CSUN.
Find out more about our mentors below!
Participating students are paired with a Mentor based on how they want to use the program, whether it be getting assistance on passing a class or joining a new club on campus! Our Mentors have their own unique traits and assist their students differently. Should you join the program, you will be paired with a mentor that best suits your particular needs and interests!
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Academic College: College of Humanities
Hi everyone! My name is Amara Contreras, my gender pronouns are she/her/hers, and I am a junior majoring in Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality Management. I enjoy cooking, hiking, going to concerts, and photography. I was previously a mentee in the program and being a first generation college student, I initially felt nervous about what to expect during my college experience but the CSUN Mentorship Program helped me achieve my goals. I am looking forward to supporting you throughout your first year at CSUN!
Hey Matadors! My name is Briana Rosales (she/her/hers) and I am a third year majoring in Deaf Studies. I plan on teaching TK-2nd grade while also interpreting on the side. A little fun fact, I’ve volunteered at a school that had a deaf program! A few organizations I am part of are the EOP program, Hermanas Unidas de CSUN, and New Student Orientation. Aside from academics, I enjoy journaling, listening to music, hiking at national parks, and hanging out with my friends and family. I am so excited to be part of the program this year and meet everyone! I was also a mentee my freshman year and now can help enhance other’s college experience. I hope to become a person my mentee’s come to for advice or help, and show them the fun in being a matador!
Hello there! My name is Cindy Quintanilla and I am a sophomore here at CSUN. My major is biotechnology and using that major I plan to go to dental school and eventually become an orthodontist. Besides dentistry, another one of my passions is playing softball. I was the softball team captain of my high school and try to play softball any chance I get. My position was catcher and I chose to do this because of its challenge. It’s said to be one of the most challenging positions in softball/baseball but I love it. I love to challenge myself because I know that doing so will just improve my skills. I also really love to game in my spare time, whether it's a simple phone app or playing the latest Mario game on my Nintendo switch. But yea, that basically me in a nutshell.
Hello Matadors! My name is Daniel Moreno and I am a Senior here at California State University, Northridge. I am an undergraduate student in pursuance of obtaining a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis of Business Law. I am a first-generation college student and have always desired, during my time here at CSUN, to have the opportunity to serve as a Peer Mentor for the CSUN Mentorship Program. During my freshman year, I decided to enroll in the program as a Mentee. Truly enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about the various benefits this program has to offer. Aside from being a Peer Mentor, I also serve as a Director on the University Student Union: Board of Directors. While also holding the position, within the University Student Union, as Chair of the Personnel Committee. Additionally, I am also an active Brother of Lambda Chi Alpha: Beta Rho. My best advice for making the most out of your college experience is to put yourself out there and get involved. Always carry authenticity in your character, explore discovering what makes you happy, and utilize all the opportunities that come your way! Welcome to CSUN!
Hello Matadors! My name is Diego Quijada, my pronouns are he/him/his and I am currently a junior majoring in Engineering Management. A little bit about my involvements in campus are that I am currently part of NSO and Greek Life for now, but I'm looking forward to join more organizations on campus. Some of the things I enjoy doing is playing soccer and spending time with friends to go on adventures. I desire to help my mentees by being there whenever they have a question or even just to be there as a friend and feel like they are home. Excited to meet you all and see you all succeed at CSUN!!!
Hello everyone!! My name is Dylan Carlos, my gender pronouns are he/him, and I am a Peer Mentor for the CSUN Mentorship Program. I am currently a senior at CSUN but, started as a transfer junior student. I am involved in many other things at CSUN, as I am the President of the Tau Omega Rho fraternity, I was an orientation leader for New Student Orientation, I was a peer educator for Project D.A.T.E, and lastly, I play for the club baseball team. I am a Psychology major, and planning to get my master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I’m very excited for my senior year at CSUN and can’t wait to give all my knowledge about the school to all my mentees!
Hi everyone, my name is Erik and my pronouns are he/him/his. I am so excited to be one of the mentors for this amazing program. I am a fourth-year majoring in cell and molecular biology. I am a first-generation college student. On my free time I love to explore new restaurants with friends, go on long walks with my dog, and volunteer. I was a mentee of this program and benefitted so much from it. Now, as a mentor I want to aid in your professional and social development.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Academic College: College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
My name is Jose Malta, and I am a senior here at CSUN! My major is sociology, with a minor in psychology. I am from Palmdale, California, about an hour from Northridge. I am currently an academic mentor for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences in the AME program, a peer mentor here in the mentorship program, and part of NSO and Greek Life! After graduating with my bachelor's degree, I plan on going into my master's program in college counseling and student services, which I have been thinking of doing for a while now. I am so excited to be a part of this mentorship program and have an impact on the incoming freshman and transfer students who are a part of our program and being able to be a text and call away for my mentees can feel as if they belong here at CSUN! If you have ever seen me on campus, feel free to say hello!
Hi everyone! My name is Jonathan Manuel and I'm a fourth year kinesiology student. This is my first year as a Peer Mentor. I’m also involved in Camp Matador, Greek Life, NSO, and the ice hockey club here at CSUN. I’m so excited to be here and can’t wait to meet you all.
Hi everyone!! My name is Kimberly Espinoza Cruz and my gender pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a 4th year majoring in Marketing with a minor in Hospitality and Tourism. I am also a first-generation student and was a mentee (2 years ago) and it was a great experience. I am a Peer Mentor for the CSUN Mentorship program, but I am also involved in 3 different clubs that I joined virtually in the fall semester of 2020 because before that year, I couldn’t join anything since I would commute and didn’t have much time. I am involved in the Alliance for Women in Entertainment (AWE) as a recruitment chair for the 2nd time, the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) as a director of Student Development, and the American Marketing Association (AMA). Some of my interests and hobbies include cooking, going to church, exploring restaurants in Los Angeles with my mom, spending time with my friends, vlogging and listening to Spanish music, and also r&b and pop. Lastly, as a mentor, I want to support my mentees by giving them the resources that they need and helping them reach their goals whether that is to join a club/organization, make friends, getting better grades, etc! With classes still being online, I want to be someone that y’all can reach out to and be able to talk to. I am super excited to meet you all and support you in any way possible!
Hi there! My name is Melisa Chaffino, and I am a junior majoring in Civil Engineering with a minor in Writing and Rhetoric and a first-generation student. Before becoming a mentor for the CSUN Mentorship Program, I was a mentee when I was a freshman, so I am incredibly proud to be a part of an amazing program that helps first-year students navigate college life. Besides the Mentorship Program, I am also involved in Greek life which has opened up possibilities and opportunities for me that have allowed me and continue to allow me to grow. I am deeply passionate about helping others, and I intend to be there for my mentees by helping them in any way that I can for their success.
Pronouns:
Academic College: College of Health and Human Development
Hello, how are you all? Welcome freshmen to CSUN. I'm Oscar NC and my pronouns are he/him/his, and I'm a Matador sophomore majoring in Animation and Visual Effects at the Mike Curb College of Arts Media & Communication Department. During my free time, I enjoy listening to music in English and Spanish, playing Super Mario games, and spending time with my family, and my friends. My academic goals are to be able to graduate in my Senior year and continue studying for a Master's in Animation while working in the field of animation. Here at CSUN, I am a DRES (Disability Resources and Educational Services) student, I am a Peer Mentor for the CSUN Mentorship Program, and I also participate as an NSO leader in the CSUN New Student Orientation. Before working for the Mentorship Program, I used to work for the CSUN Theater Department as a Student Clerical Assistant. Being part of these programs has allowed me to socialize with other people, make new friends, feel part of the community, helping other students. As a Peer Mentor, I want to do whatever it takes to help all freshmen feel welcome and let them know that they are not alone in facing the obstacles of academics and social experience.
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Academic College: Michael D. Eisner College of Education
Hello! My name is Shelby Drake, I am a senior with a major in psychology and a minor in real estate. I am apart of a club called Big Buddies; we get the opportunity to work with children which I find incredibly rewarding and I believe has helped prepare me for this position. I am not only an empathetic person but also an active listener which enables me to give you helpful advisement without judgement. I was a mentee myself, so I feel that I understand what it takes to be an efficient mentor.
How’s it going? My name is Zori Badkerhanian and I’m a junior studying Computer Science. My main goal during this time of my undergrad studies is exposure to anything that could help me grow academically and professionally. As a result, I’ve involved myself in different organizations on campus, including NSO as an Orientation Leader, Outdoor Adventures, Jiu-jitsu, Layer 8, and participating in the Leaders in Engineering and Computer Science Club. My hobbies include competitive martial arts, reading, video games, learning languages, and spending time with family. I was drawn to being a Peer Mentor because I love helping and being there for others, and I consider it an innate part of who I am. I’ve always worked to be someone that others find reliable and trustworthy, and I appreciate being able to teach others or give advice. Feel free to say hello if you see me!