Building Success and Opportunity

elcome to the new academic year! The CSUN campus is buzzing with more than 37,000 Matadors enrolled for the fall semester, and I’m filled with profound gratitude for the extraordinary generosity and vision that continue to propel CSUN forward.

Over the summer, we celebrated the grand opening of our new Autodesk Technology Engagement Center (ATEC), born from a shared vision with Autodesk, Inc. — a shared vision of equitable opportunity and infinite possibility for students to explore careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). Autodesk’s CEO (and CSUN alumnus), Dr. Andrew Anagnost, has helped shape a tech giant that empowers innovators and changemakers around the globe to design and make a better world. With Andrew’s encouragement as a proud Matador, Autodesk’s gift has brought this center of possibility to reality for our students, faculty and community.

A longtime supporter of CSUN, Andrew himself has made an indelible mark on our university with a personal gift to support the Andrew J. Anagnost College of Engineering and Computer Science, which we renamed in his honor. Having gifted more than $22.1. million to CSUN, Andrew’s is the largest alumni contribution in CSUN’s history. What makes Andrew’s generosity particularly meaningful is why he has chosen to make such a significant investment in CSUN’s future. To learn much more about Andrew and his CSUN journey, about ATEC and about CSUN’s exciting plans for equity-focused STEAM programming, read on!

This issue also features a look at how CSUN brings inclusive education to neurodiverse students through the CHIME Institute, Explorers program, campus support and much more. And finally, we share an inspiring example of the entrepreneurial spirit that distinguishes Matadors, as we catch up with engineering alumnus Derrick Olson ’10, co-founder of local favorite 8one8 Brewery.

As we embark on this new academic year together, I’m excited about the limitless possibilities ahead for our Matador community. The stories you’ll read in these pages reflect the innovation, inclusivity and entrepreneurial spirit that define CSUN — values that will continue to guide us as we shape the future.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Go Matadors!

With gratitude,