Matador Moments
Students step up to the plate at L.A. Dodgers Corporate Connect in April, gaining an inside look at career opportunities, building professional connections and learning from CSUN alumni industry leaders Jaime Alcalá ’21, Sam Fleischer ’15, Cary Osborne ’02 and Gerson Pineda ’12 (not pictured) at Dodger Stadium.
Carlos Fuentes ’82 and Robert D. Taylor ’82, Hon.D. ’24 at the President’s Donor Appreciation Celebration in May, honoring the generosity and culture of philanthropy that help strengthen the CSUN community.
Students step up to the plate at L.A. Dodgers Corporate Connect in April, gaining an inside look at career opportunities, building professional connections and learning from CSUN alumni industry leaders Jaime Alcalá ’21, Sam Fleischer ’15, Cary Osborne ’02 and Gerson Pineda ’12 (not pictured) at Dodger Stadium.
Alumni Association commencement representatives Elsa Burton ’96 and Jeff Burton ’91 welcome CSUN’s newest graduates into the alumni community in May.
Alumni Association commencement representatives Elsa Burton ’96 and Jeff Burton ’91 welcome CSUN’s newest graduates into the alumni community in May.
Students step up to the plate at L.A. Dodgers Corporate Connect in April, gaining an inside look at career opportunities, building professional connections and learning from CSUN alumni industry leaders Jaime Alcalá ’21, Sam Fleischer ’15, Cary Osborne ’02 and Gerson Pineda ’12 (not pictured) at Dodger Stadium.
Carlos Fuentes ’82 and Robert D. Taylor ’82, Hon.D. ’24 at the President’s Donor Appreciation Celebration in May, honoring the generosity and culture of philanthropy that help strengthen the CSUN community.
Carlos Fuentes ’82 and Robert D. Taylor ’82, Hon.D. ’24 at the President’s Donor Appreciation Celebration in May, honoring the generosity and culture of philanthropy that help strengthen the CSUN community.
Alumni Association commencement representatives Elsa Burton ’96 and Jeff Burton ’91 welcome CSUN’s newest graduates into the alumni community in May.
Hollywood Bowl: Nick Prampetch ’03 and Arwee Parin ’02 share the Matador spirit at the CSUN Alumni Association’s pre-show picnic.
Hollywood Bowl: Nick Prampetch ’03 and Arwee Parin ’02 share the Matador spirit at the CSUN Alumni Association’s pre-show picnic.
Hollywood Bowl: Nick Prampetch ’03 and Arwee Parin ’02 share the Matador spirit at the CSUN Alumni Association’s pre-show picnic.
Alumni, family and friends gather for CSUN Night at the Hollywood Bowl, an annual celebration of music and Matador community, in June.
Alumni, family and friends gather for CSUN Night at the Hollywood Bowl, an annual celebration of music and Matador community, in June.
Joaquin Macias ’00, Gigi McGuire ’84, M.P.A. ’08 and Charles Humphrey ’86 celebrate community, culture and Matador pride at the Black Alumni Association’s traditional Black Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium in July.
Alumni, family and friends gather for CSUN Night at the Hollywood Bowl, an annual celebration of music and Matador community, in June.
Cathy McLeod ’21 and Melinda Norin ’80 join the enthusiastic audience at a fireside chat with CSUN President Erika D. Beck and Sage Publishing CEO Blaise Simqu in July, engaging in a conversation on leadership, innovation and the future of higher education.
Gevork Kazanchyan ’99, M.S. ’02 (center) and Ryan Kinsella ’99, M.S. ’00 (right) attend the 2026 CSUN EOH Technical Symposium, “Risk Assessment, Communication and Lessons Learned from the L.A. Fires,” in March.
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.”
As she begins a new chapter in her career at Cienega Elementary School, where she completed her student-teaching through ITEP, Figueroa reflects on the classroom communities she has built as her proudest accomplishment. Watching her students grow in confidence, feel safe and supported, and develop a love of learning has affirmed her decision to become an educator.
For future teachers, her advice is simple: Give yourself permission to be a beginner. Ask questions, build relationships and trust the process.
“You do not have to be perfect to be a great teacher,” Figueroa said. “Focus on your students, stay reflective and remember that growth comes with every challenge.” For her, that philosophy transformed a first year filled with uncertainty into one defined by purpose, leadership and lasting impact.
Creating Opportunity Behind the Scenes
As a partner at GHJ, a national advisory and accounting firm, Haimoff leads forensic accounting reviews of film and TV profit participation and royalty streams on behalf of producers, co-financiers, investors and talent. His work helps bring transparency to the complex financial agreements that shape Hollywood, ensuring profit-sharing is handled fairly throughout the industry.
Throughout the industry’s evolution, Haimoff has embraced change rather than resisted it.
“I always remain bullish and believe I can adapt to whatever comes my way through flexibility and adaptability,” he said. As streaming platforms reshaped production and compensation models, he redirected his expertise to serve investors and production companies navigating increasingly complex financial relationships. His focus, however, has never changed: ensuring fairness through accountability.
Giving back has become just as important as professional success. As a longtime advisory board member of the CSU Entertainment Alliance, Haimoff supports entertainment programs across California State University campuses, helping students discover the many career paths available in the industry. He also hosts GHJ’s “Media Clips” podcast — now in its eighth year, with more than 75 episodes — sharing insights from industry leaders to educate professionals navigating constant change.
“I wanted to create a program through which professionals in Hollywood could learn about industry trends, best practices and ideas,” Haimoff said.
That commitment to mentorship reflects the guidance Haimoff received at CSUN. Accounting professors James Macklin and Ronald Stone challenged, encouraged and inspired him, with Macklin even connecting him to the job that launched his career after graduation, Haimoff said.
Today, Haimoff hopes to leave behind more than an accomplished career. He wants to help build a more transparent entertainment industry, while strengthening the bridge between CSUN and Hollywood. His advice to students is simple: Stay connected to your professors. The relationships you build today may become the opportunities that shape your future.
’93 (Accounting)
Building Bridges Beyond the Classroom
“The purpose of the chapter was to provide a mentoring program and guidance for students,” said Mahin Alamdari ’05 (Child and Adolescent Development), M.A. ’07 (Educational Psychology and Counseling), the chapter’s co-president. “It wasall about dedication, sharing experiences, connecting students with the outside world and networking.”
Chapter founders wanted graduates to leave CSUN with a network to help them build their careers through active mentoring. In those early years, the chapter organized in-person events, focusing on securing presenters, determining central themes and ensuring the program would provide meaningful value for students.
One of the greatest challenges was encouraging speakers to come to the university on a Saturday, while developing topics that would engage students and make attendance worthwhile. Their perseverance paid off, and each semester, alumni returned to campus to share career advice, answer questions and help students see where a degree in child and adolescent development could lead.
The chapter continues to foster a sense of belonging by giving CSUN alumni an opportunity to share their professional experiences and support current students. Event feedback consistently shows that students value the opportunity to connect with alumni and appreciate their willingness to volunteer their time and expertise. The chapter’s scholarship program, established in 2006, also strengthens those connections. Organizers regularly receive heartfelt messages from scholarship recipients and supporters, expressing gratitude for the chapter’s investment in student success.
For Alamdari, the chapter’s impact is measured not only by the events it hosts, but by what happens afterward.
“After every event, we sit down and look at what went well and what we can improve,” she said. “We use those experiences to make the next event even better.”
That commitment to continuous improvement has helped the chapter remain active for more than two decades. Along with her co-president, Roya Vetter, Alamdari hopes more recent graduates begin participating in activities and help grow the chapter. “When alumni return and share their experiences, they’re helping students see what’s possible,” Alamdari said.
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Alumni Success Stories
