This is CSUN
News from Northridge
This is CSUN
News from Northridge
In this edition
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1 Donna Z. Sheng, professor of physics and astronomy, elected to prestigious Academy. |
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2 Lisa Jackson, environmental and equity leader, receives honorary doctorate |
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3 Art students contribute murals to new Trader Joe’s |
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4 Alumnus Jae C. Hong ’06 captures World Press Photo Award |
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5 Kalli Arte Collective serves as first Artist-in-Residence |
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Art Meets World
The residency was tied into the curriculum of professor Mario Ontiveros’ Exhibition Design course. Students in the class worked with Kalli Arte to mount an exhibition — including planning and promotion. The students also photographed and created video documentation of the residency. The collective reached students throughout the department. They conducted a project with an introductory printmaking class. They led workshops for various classes and took students on a field trip to their studio in Boyle Heights, among many other opportunities.
To create a variety of experiences that can reach all CSUN art and design students, the first three years of the program are mapped out to feature artists working in different mediums. In 2026, the selected artist will work in the animation, design, video and/or digital spaces, and in 2027 the chosen artist will specialize in sculpture and ceramics.
“One of the biggest key factors for Chris and me is that we wanted to make sure the students were able to learn from someone who’s already out there professionally, to have somebody to ask questions and to really be able to get that guidance,” said Virginia Orndorff, who served more than 15 years in the marketing department of a bank before launching a career as a photographic artist.
CSUN Numbers
New Year, New Dorms
“There is something very special about residential Matador life, and we’ve intentionally designed these spaces to support our students holistically — academically, personally and professionally.” Beck noted.
Freshmen and sophomores moved in Aug. 23, getting settled (with lots of help from friends and family!) before weekday classes began on Monday, Aug. 25. Nearly 200 lucky Matadors got to call the brand-new halls home — each new building has 99 beds. In total, CSUN’s University Park now has more than 3,000 beds.
Each floor of the new four-story dorm buildings includes its own laundry facilities, a separate study room and living room. The common areas include multipurpose rooms for larger gatherings, and there’s a fully equipped community kitchen. The residential floors offer double accommodations (two students per room). The courtyard connecting the buildings includes seating areas under pergolas, complete with fans and lights — photovoltaic panels on top create shade and provide power to the new buildings.
Richard Quiroga, 20, a senior Deaf Studies major, is the vice president of the Residence Halls Association. The group represents community members and plans activities throughout the year, from movie and game nights to larger events, like a Halloween celebration. Quiroga said he’s looking forward to creating programs in the new areas. “The new buildings actually give us a lot more space to plan more, bigger events,” he said.
Physics Prof Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
“I was excited and very happy for the recognition from my peers,” Sheng said. “The fact that other people can see my work in the research field is an encouragement.”
Debi Prasad Choudhary, chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, said he and his colleagues are doing all they can to support Sheng and her research. “Dr. Sheng’s historic election by the academy affirms CSUN’s growing research excellence and inspires our students to aim high in STEM,” he said.
Sheng is a theoretical physicist who specializes in condensed matter physics. Her work has led to groundbreaking discoveries on fractional quantum hall effects, topological insulators and strongly correlated electron systems, which has helped advance understanding of quantum materials.
Sheng’s current research involves two-dimensional quantum systems and applied material research. “It is a process of learning and creating something new and to discover new knowledge,” she said.
Building Bridges to Careers in Health – and Regenerative Medicine
Funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and directed by CSUN biology professor Cindy Malone, Bridges is a program that engages CSUN undergraduates in cutting-edge stem cell research and puts them on a path to successful careers in the sciences.
“Bridges gives our undergraduates access to incredible research opportunities that enable them to build critical knowledge and skills while also contributing to work that can have a real impact on people’s lives,” Malone said.
Stem cells are the building blocks of living organisms, with the ability to make infinite copies of themselves and change to become specialized cells. These abilities bring promise to research to heal spinal cord injuries, cancer, heart attack scars and other serious health challenges.
Strength United Opens San Fernando Office
Strength United is a nonprofit that works to aid individuals affected by violence and trauma, with a focus on sexual assault, domestic abuse and child maltreatment. The organization brings comprehensive therapy services and prevention programming directly into the neighborhoods where many clients live and work. The new location houses the organization’s Community Public Health Team operations, mental health services and Close to Home prevention initiative.
“This grand opening demonstrates Strength United’s commitment to creating a comprehensive support system in San Fernando — from prevention visits in your living room to therapy sessions in your neighborhood, we’re meeting families wherever they are in their healing journey,” said Executive Director Merilla Scott.
Located in a community where 93% of residents identify as Latino and 73% speak a language other than English, the San Fernando office ensures culturally responsive care is more convenient and accessible than ever before. The office lease and renovation were made possible by a $150,000 grant from The Ahmanson Foundation.
Founded in 1986 as the Valley Trauma Center, Strength United is a chartered center operated through CSUN’s Michael D. Eisner College of Education. Its mission is to end all forms of interpersonal violence and abuse through healing, empowerment and community-based prevention strategies. The organization provides confidential support and response to more than 5,000 children, adults and families every year.
Strength United also provides mental health training to more than 160 CSUN graduate and undergraduate students each year, as well as prevention and education workshops throughout the community to address violence and abuse at the root.
Replanting Hope
“Altadena was a very green and welcoming place, and it’s not anymore. So what can we do to bring that back?” Khachikian said. “We are bringing the community together and providing them with hands-on, tangible ways to do something meaningful. It’s part of the healing process.”
CSUN students from various majors, including the sustainability master’s program, are expected to participate. About half of the funds raised will support tuition and fees for learning opportunities, such as certificate programs, for students who want to continue this urban forestry work.
If the program in Altadena is successful, Urban Forestry Project leaders plan to continue the partnership with organizations like AltadenaWILD to scale it up, with more plantings in Altadena next year. The project is funded by a five-year, $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Through academic workshops and workforce development programs, CSUN students and community members gain hands-on experience in sustainable land management, tree care,and environmental restoration. They partner with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy. To contribute to the Altadena tree planting project, visit csunfunder.csun.edu.
Alumnus Captures World Press Award
“The photo was inspired by seeing adoptees returning to Korea to find their biological families,” said Hong. “Nicole’s story was very personal and emotional, showing the challenges faced by adoptees due to adoption fraud. Covering a story like this requires sensitivity and patience because portraying people respectfully is important.”
Hong credited CSUN with laying the foundation for his photojournalism career, particularly the supportive faculty and creative environment he found here. The university’s strong Department of Journalism within the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication — especially the writing courses and work on The Daily Sundial staff — helped Hong build essential storytelling and collaboration skills and offered valuable real-world experience, he said.
Now Open!
Fields, who worked with the students and Trader Joe’s as an advisor on the mural project, was in a celebratory mood as she snapped photos of the displayed artwork. “I’m super happy, but also a little relieved … The project is done!” she said.
The mural project was a competitive process, where students had to submit drawings and take part in meetings with the client.
“They are learning a professional practice,” Fields said. “For some of them, this is their first time they are working with a client, making an invoice, getting paid for their time. One of my favorite things about this project is that the students are getting a real-world professional development experience with Trader Joe’s.”
The store chose six students to work on the murals. Taylor Caliz, Kayla Cruzada, Jenivit Marrero-Solis, Antonio Martinez, Mailahguiya Sourgose and Ligia Vilches built on the initial ideas for their mural sections with input from store officials. They worked on the murals on campus and in their homes, painting on boards that have now been installed in the new store.
“It’s been pretty exciting! I didn’t think I would get chosen, but I did and I already added it to my portfolio,” said Cruzada, a senior majoring in animation art. “It is a little different than my major in animation because it’s painting, but it is a good step towards the art direction.”
Who We Heard
Doug Emhoff ’87
Daisy
Stacy Johns
