Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Contents
Reaching Beyond
CSUN President
ome questions have the power to capture our imaginations across generations. Are we alone in the universe? How can technology help people live fuller, more independent lives? How can art transform the places where we learn, gather and belong?
In this issue of CSUN Magazine, we celebrate the curiosity, creativity and ingenuity that inspire our Matador community to ask big questions — and pursue answers that can change how we understand our world and our place within it.
You’ll meet a constellation of CSUN researchers working to answer one of humanity’s most profound questions: Is there life beyond Earth? Their work reflects something fundamental about our university — a willingness to look beyond what we know, explore new possibilities and invite our students into the process of discovery.
On Their Way
here’s nothing quite like the joy of CSUN commencement. In May, more than 11,000 graduates were eligible to participate in commencement celebrations across seven ceremonies. Here, brand-new graduates of the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication march onto the University Library Lawn — and into their very bright futures. Photo by Ringo Chiu.
Are We Alone in the Universe?
Illustrations By Ollie Hirst
Biology graduate student Carolina Gonzalez walked through the dark, dusty tunnel a few miles from Fairbanks and marveled at the walls. Some sections were pure, smooth ice. Others were frozen soil, flecked with the remains of animals and plants from thousands of years ago — she could see fragments of mammoth bones and even the horn of an extinct bison.
“Wow, I never experienced this in my life before,” Gonzalez later recalled thinking. “It feels like going to a museum.”
Biology professor Rachel Mackelprang brought Gonzalez, fellow graduate student Serena Hernandez and staff research associate Mike Snyder into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory permafrost tunnel in 2024 for a National Science Foundation-funded study with implications for NASA. In the soil that forms the tunnel, microbes are frozen in place, forming little communities where nothing gets in or out. Each step deeper into the tunnel is a step further back in time, into the last Ice Age. Soil near the entrance froze some 12,000 years ago. Further back, 40,000.
Nourish and Nurture
n February, CSUN celebrated the grand opening of a brand-new, one-stop location for students to access food, housing, emergency funds and other basic needs — all the things they need to focus on their goals and flourish. The Valera NEST (Nurturing Environment for Students to Thrive) is the centralized resource for the university’s basic needs programs and services. It’s the first of its kind in the California State University system.
The renovated space in the heart of the University Student Union, an area formerly occupied by the Pub Sports Grill, pulled together the CSUN Food Pantry, Cal Fresh Outreach/Healthy Living, Basic Needs Care Coordinators, financial assistance such as the MataCare Fund, and Matty’s Closet, which provides clothes for job interviews, conferences or other professional opportunities. All of these resources provide students in need of necessities with the stability and support they need to thrive in the classroom. And it’s all housed in one attractive and very accessible location — a busy campus crossroads not far from the popular Student Recreation Center.
Better Living Through Engineering
echanical engineering professor Peter Bishay had prepared a hands-on exhibit and multimedia presentation about the Smart Prosthetics Senior Design Project. He’d filled a table with prosthetic hands and arms created by his engineering students over nearly a decade of research and design — and insisted that visitors pick them up and try them out. The sleek, 3D-printed hands and arms, with the wires and motors exposed, represented years of experimentation. Bishay’s pride shone through each carefully documented element, telling the story of how a senior design project at CSUN grew into an ambitious, multidisciplinary research effort aimed at making prosthetic technology more intuitive and useful for the people who depend on it.
“Most of the students [say], ‘I want to use my engineering skills to help others,’” Bishay said. “We are coming up with great innovations, integrating virtual reality, AI and different new technologies in the work we’re doing, and that’s amazing.”
Paula Thomson
College of Health and Human Development
aula Thomson is on a mission to help students find their own artistic voice and nurture their creative vision and expression. A professor of dance and kinesiology, Thomson has been teaching at CSUN since 2005. A modern dance specialist, she’s mentored thousands of young dancers.
“We really encourage our students to learn choreographic skills, so they can speak and say what they need to say,” Thomson said.
Like many dancers, Thomson favors a shoulder bag with plenty of pockets, for shoes, snacks and all her gear.
A Feast
of
Public
Art
n CSUN’s expansive, parklike campus, not all of the treasures are natural. Between the lush groves of trees and native-plant gardens, many of the treasures that dot the campus landscape are man-made. Some of the must-see attractions include breathtaking sculptures. The university campus boasts a feast of public art that students, alumni and visitors can explore year-round.
“CSUN Sculpture”
Nestled in a verdant rose garden near the campus orange grove and Monterey Hall, the artwork was designed (and later built) by student John T. Banks ’72 (Art), M.A. ’94 (Three-Dimensional Art).
Welcoming New Soraya Exec Chad Hilligus
The Soraya is the San Fernando Valley’s cultural heart — a beacon for world-class dance, classical, jazz and artists from around the globe. The award-winning, state-of-the-art, 1,700-seat performance venue presents more than 40 events each year.
“Over the years, I’ve been very interested in and inspired by the programming of The Soraya. It also has an incredible reputation with artists,” said Hilligus, who began his tenure June 15. “When I talk to artists and managers about their favorite places to perform, The Soraya is always at the top of the list.”
Black Scholars Matter Program Honors Trailblazing Graduates
Amid festive, gold-and-white graduation decorations and with CSUN President Erika D. Beck, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students William Watkins, and Provost Meera Komarraju looking on, Theresa White, program director and founder, congratulated the graduating seniors.
“You are part of a long and powerful lineage of thinkers, of creators, of activists, of scholars, of visionaries — your ancestors, who refused to accept limitation as their destiny,” White said.
Student Research to Real-World Impact
onor support through CSUN’s annual Giving Day is helping the Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM (ARCS) prepare the next generation of innovators, while advancing research that addresses challenges on Earth and in space. A NASA-sponsored Center of Excellence, ARCS has brought together more than 1,100 students and faculty from seven CSUN colleges over the past six years to collaborate on interdisciplinary research spanning science, technology, engineering, entrepreneurship, the arts, humanities and mathematics. From wildfire protection and sustainable agriculture to diabetes care and space exploration, the center’s projects share one common goal: using collaborative research to solve real-world problems.
Support for ARCS has grown dramatically over the past four Giving Days. What began with a single $100 gift from one donor in 2023 grew to more than $69,000 in the past two years — a powerful reflection of the growing confidence in the center’s collaborative approach to research.
Leading from Day One
’23 (Liberal Studies)
Throughout her first year, Figueroa focused on creating a classroom where students felt seen, respected and capable of success. She established clear expectations while fostering a culture of collaboration, empathy and accountability, encouraging students to take ownership of their learning. When challenges arose, she embraced them as opportunities to improve. Rather than becoming discouraged, she reflected on what worked, adjusted her approach and leaned on colleagues for guidance.
That commitment to continuous growth earned her widespread recog-nition. Figueroa received the Teacher Eddy Award from the LAX Coastal Education Foundation and the 2025 Region West Rookie of the Year honor from the Los Angeles Unified School District.
“It was really encouraging to know that the work I was doing was being noticed,” she said. “More than anything, I saw those awards as a reflection of my students, my mentors and the community that supported me.”
Fast Track to Success
rowing up in the Bay Area, Daniel Rietz considered a career in biofuel research. After a year in biotech, the 2017 UC Berkeley graduate wanted to see more immediate results, so he transitioned into natural resource management. His life changed when he took a wilderness medicine course.
“Doing that course was really my first foray into medicine,” he said. “It was fascinating to me intellectually, and the practical hands-on side appealed to the way I like to learn.”
Rietz decided to pursue a career in nursing, which would bring an immediate positive impact to people’s lives and solid job prospects. As someone who grew up with financial instability, Rietz said that affordability was a primary concern when choosing a nursing program.
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1970s
Mark K. Bridgeford ’74 (History) is the founder of The Bridgeford Law Office, APC in Valencia, specializing in workers’ compensation law. He has served as a longtime legal resource for injured workers, employers and insurance companies in the Santa Clarita Valley and throughout Los Angeles. After graduating from CSUN, Bridgeford earned his Juris Doctor from San Fernando Valley College of Law. He is married to fellow Matador Kimberlee Bridgeford ’81 (Child Development), ’90 (Teaching Credential). -
Marc Axelrod ’77 (M.S., Environmental and Occupational Health) published a memoir, “The Flame Bucket – Adventures in Workplace Safety,” where he shares stories from his decades-long career in industrial and workplace safety. Axelrod’s career has included managing safety programs at Boeing and Rockwell International, working as safety director for Kaiser Permanente Orange County hospitals and serving as safety officer for the city of Beverly Hills. -
1980s
Marva Washington ’82 (M.A., Mass Communication) is an author, educator and cultural storyteller who brings a rich and authentic Southern voice to contemporary children’s literature. This past spring, Washington was a featured author at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, where she discussed and signed her new children’s novel, “Jaxon Discovers Dimension Z.” -
Dan Eller ’84 (Health Education), M.P.H. ’87 (Public Health) retired as a professor emeritus of public relations in the Department of Journalism at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After graduating from CSUN, Eller completed a doctorate in education at UC Santa Barbara. His career spanned more than four decades, including serving as director of communication for State Parks at Hearst Castle. He attributes his academic and professional success to his CSUN education. Eller lives in Cambria, Calif. -
Jeff Okabayashi ’85 (Radio-TV Production) had a busy year, especially with summer blockbusters. Okabayashi served as first assistant director on the box office record-breaking “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” and first assistant director (second unit) on Disney’s live-action “Moana.” He frequently mentors Matadors, advising students on their senior film projects and serving as a guest speaker. -
1990s
Aram Ordubegian ’93 (Political Science) was promoted to Los Angeles managing parter at law firm ArentFox Schiff LLP. Previously, he served as a partner at Weinstein, Weiss, and Ordubegian LLP.
- Michael Alvord ’94 (Environmental Biology), M.S. ’97 (Environmental and Occupational Health) is the chief operating officer of SCV Water. He previously served as the director of operations and maintenance for the Santa Clarita Valley agency. Alvord worked for the Valencia Water Company and then Newhall County Water District before the formation of SCV Water in 2018. He has taught environmental and math-related courses at CSUN, College of the Canyons and for the American Water Works Association. Alvord is married to fellow Matador Kerry Alvord ’00 (Teaching Credential).
Magic Hour
anary Island date palms frame the iconic University Library in the fading twilight. The shaded area overlooking the Library lawn is always a popular rest and study spot for students. Student photographer Blake Fagan captured a fellow Matador making his way under the palm trees in late 2025. Photo by Blake Fagan.
Jacob Bennett Development Communications Officer
Nick Bocanegra Assistant Director, Sports Communications
Carmen Ramos Chandler Director of Media Relations
Ringo Chiu ’01 Photographer
David J. Hawkins ’16 Photographer
Naz Keynejad ‘95, M.A. ‘16 Alumni/Annual Giving Communications Associate
David Lane Multimedia Producer
Kevin Lizarraga ’01, M.A. ’04 Director of University Marketing
Matt Monroe Associate Athletics Director, Sports Communications
Duc Anh Nguyen Multimedia Producer
Josselyn Partida ’16 Social Media Editor/Writer
Carissa Rhoads Administrative Analyst
Javier Rojas Media Relations Specialist
Leyla Sade ’11 Senior Project Management Specialist
Jesse Spero Lead Web Content Writer
Jenny O’Mara Steinbeck ’90, B.A. ’91 Writer/Editor
Student Photographer Blake Fagan
Student Production Asst. David Atjun
(ISSN 1549-8115) is published by
California State University, Northridge,
18111 Nordhoff St.,
Northridge, CA 91330-8296.
Department of Strategic Communication & Brand Management
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff St.,
Northridge, CA 91330-8296
On the Cover
