Student Orientation Coordinators
Natalie Avila
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: San Bernardino
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation, Recreation and Wellness Center
What do you like about CSUSB?
I like the diversity of this campus, there is a place for everyone no matter who you are! There are so many clubs and organizations, and lots of events that fit everyone’s interests!
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student?
Regardless whether you’re a transfer or a first year student, try to get involved! Sometimes all we think about are academics, but go to that club meeting, go to that movie night, homecoming event, or fundraiser! Take that first step out of your comfort zone! Even if the event wasn’t what you expected, at least you can say you tried it out!
Annalissa Hernandez Martinez
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Desert Hot Springs
CSUSB Involvement: Sociology Club, CSUSB Honors Program, and Orientation
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student?
A piece of advice I would give to first-years and transfer students is to keep an eye on your school email! It is so important because you will receive almost all your information about what is going on with your classes and the campus in general through it. But most importantly just to have fun while in college and don't take things so seriously we are all here to live and learn.
Where is your favorite place on campus? Why?
My favorite place on campus has to be the 2nd floor of the Center for Global Innovations building. It is surrounded by gigantic windows which allow you to look over campus or the beautiful mountains behind it and the chairs in there are also pretty comfy for studying or even napping.
Rudy Mejia
Pronouns: They/Them
Hometown: Fontana
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation and First Year Experience
What do you like about CSUSB?
The overall sense of community and the ability to be able to find a chosen family, no matter who you are. Whether your are LGBT, Latino, Black, Asian, Religious or Atheist, there is a family for you on campus. You simply need to look for it!
Where is your favorite place on campus? Why?
My favorite spot would have to be the Student Union. It’s essentially the hub of student life here on campus and most of the affinity centers are there as well. It’s a place I was able to find some of my chosen family and for that I will always deem it to be my favorite spot.
Christina Zimmerman
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga
CSUSB Involvement: Student Orientation Coordinator, Orientation Leader, ASI Marketing Specialist, Student Association of Geography & Environmental Studies
What do you like about CSUSB?
I love the sense of community that CSUSB has. All the staff are extremely helpful and kind.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student?
My advice to incoming students is to utilize all the resources CSUSB has to offer. There are many wonderful programs and centers that are here to help you.
Orientation Leaders
Miranda Aragon
Hometown: San Bernardino
Major: Kinesiology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader, Office of Student Engagement
What do you like about CSUSB? I really like how inclusive the university is, also I really like how dedicated our faculty and staff are to ensure we are on track to success. I really like how approachable the faculty and staff are.
Karen Bhor Giron
Hometown: Moreno Valley
Major: Computer Engineering
CSUSB Involvement: Honors Program, Computer Science and Engineering Club, Women in Computer Science and Engineering, EOP Program, Orientation Leader.
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Advice I want to give first-year and transfer students is to use your recourses and don’t be scared or feel overwhelmed by using them. Use Handshake, join any clubs you want, join a sorority, go to events you enjoy, make appointments at the career center. If you don’t know what you want, then don’t feel rushed to choose before you major in something. Take the classes you have always wanted to take instead of feeling uncertain.
Sanjay Boland
Hometown: San Bernardino
Major: Information Systems Technology – Cyber Security
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? I like that CSUSB is engaging and is a learning environment.
Robert Bravo
Hometown: Upland
Major: Health Services Administration
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? One piece of advice I would give is to be yourself. To me, if you stay true to who you are and who you want to be then it will lead to many great opportunities and early success throughout your time at CSUSB.
Kayla Broughton
Hometown: Moreno Valley
Major: Health Sciences
CSUSB Involvement: Black Student Union, Resident Assistant, Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try something out of your comfort zone!
Johanna Galindo
Hometown: Hesperia
Major: Liberal Studies
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Honestly, it is a huge campus so explore and see how you can get involved. It isn't too bad. It is better than high school and community college!
Sarah Garcia
Hometown: Fontana
Major: Liberal Studies
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? I like the environment, the faculty and student relationships, and the programs that are offered. I love and appreciate the resources that we have available on campus.
Eric Garcia-Sanchez
Hometown: Perris
Major: Communication Studies
CSUSB Involvement: SAIL, Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? I do like the location of the school near the mountains and sometimes bumping into some critters while walking around campus. I've seen some squirrels, lots of lizards and a stray bobcat. Also, Also I feel the campus is the perfect size not too big or too small. Because of the size I feel as do I have access to resources more available and not such a long walk walking from one end of the campus to the other.
Jaselle Garibay
Hometown: Bloomington
Major: Psychology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader, student employee at the Rec Center
What do you like about CSUSB? I love how diverse CSUSB is and how inclusive it is. No matter what background we might have CSUSB welcomes everyone and brings us together. I like how it has made me feel like I belong as well as the friendships I have made while being here. It really is a great campus to be at with many great resources that have made my experience here amazing.
Stephanie Gomez
Hometown: Victorville
Major: Child Development
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader, Honors Program
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? A piece of advice I would give to a first-year or transfer student is to not be afraid. I am aware that fear will always be present in times of new beginnings, but if they push that fear out of the way, little by little, they will see that there is more to university life. I'd let them know that it's fine to be afraid, but to not let that hinder what they want or need.
Gricelda Hernandez
Hometown: Adelanto
Major: Biology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader, student employee
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Get involved, not necessarily that you have to go start a club, but start making connections and friends, it will definitely help in the long run!
Manuel Herrera III
Hometown: San Bernardino
Major: Psychology
CSUSB Involvement: Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity, Student Assistant at the CSUSB Writing Centers, Student Mentoring Program, Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? CSUSB has an amazing campus community! The students and the people who work here are all very helpful! Everyone here is super friendly and have always made me feel welcomed! The connections I made here at CSUSB will last a lifetime!
Anallely Juarez
Hometown: Morongo Valley
Major: Pre-Nursing
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Don’t be afraid to explore and try new things. College is a new and amazing experience. Meet new people and expand your learning.
Merina Leo
Hometown: San Bernardino
Major: Pre-Social Work
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? I like how large the campus is and the different resources and activities you can get involved in and I also like how the professors at school are really understanding especially with the circumstances we're in now.
Ryan Murimi
Hometown: Nairobi, Kenya
Major: Information Systems Technology - Cyber Security
CSUSB Involvement: Recreation and Wellness Center, Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? I like the way CSUSB is diverse in its own way. You get to meet people from different backgrounds and cultures. Everyone is always happy to point you in the right direction.
Jessica Nunez-Mirola
Hometown: Fontana
Major: Business Administration – Public Administration
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? If you need help, ask for help! There is so many resources on campus if you’re stuck.
Gustavo Rosario
Hometown: Desert Hot Springs
Major: Communication Studies
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. We are here for you. Do not feel that you are alone!
Joseph Toland
Hometown: Ontario
Major: Psychology
CSUSB Involvement: Psychology Department CARE Team with Dr. Chavez, Psychology Advising Center, Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? ASK QUESTIONS! If a person is confused or conflicted or concerned, I would encourage them to ask people for help. Ask questions. New students shouldn't feel like they need to know everything right away or feel embarrassed for not knowing something. They need to know that people are willing to help them.
Secilia Valenzuela
Hometown: Banning
Major: Kinesiology
CSUSB Involvement: Operational Manager at Recreation and Wellness, Orientation Leader
What do you like about CSUSB? The friendships that are formed on a daily basis at CSUSB are one of my favorite aspects of the university. I also enjoy how CSUSB often serve as a second home for me. This is certainly a commuter campus, so if you have the proper space and friends, CSUSB will seem like your second home, where you can achieve, grow, make connections, and plan your future!
Richa Verma
Hometown: Fontana
Major: Business Administration & Psychology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader, EOP
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? The one piece of advice I would give is to focus and have lots of fun!
Andrea Williams
Hometown: Riverside
Major: Pre-Intelligence and Crime Analysis
CSUSB Involvement: Epsilon Pi Alpha Sorority, Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone – you will surprise yourself!