Student Orientation Coordinators
Gricelda Hernandez
PRONOUNS: She/her
HOMETOWN: Adeltano
CSUSB Involvement: Resident Assistant, Student Assistant at Osher Adult ReEntry Center
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student?: Get involved on campus, whether it’s a job, internship, or volunteer!
Where is your favorite place on campus? Why?: SMSU, more specifically the Osher Adult Re-Entry Center!
Daniel Nava
PRONOUNS: He/him
HOMETOWN: Covina
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student?: One piece of advice I would give a first-year student is to ask questions!
Where is your favorite place on campus? Why?: My favorite place on campus is the third floor of SMSU North, to study and see the mountains, and get some sun!
Joshua Uwandu
PRONOUNS: He/him
HOMETOWN: Lagos, Nigeria
CSUSB Involvement: Church group, Kappa Sigma fraternity, Basketball Club, Volleyball Club, Hiking Club
What do you like about CSUSB?: It’s big on community, family and there are opportunities for students to make the most of their academic career.
Where is your favorite place on campus? Why?: My favorite place is the Rec Center. I play basketball, volleyball and soccer with people of different levels and it helps me de-stress after a long day or week. Also, I met my favorite people and play 1v1 with them!
Orientation Leaders
Name: Manuel Alvarez
Pronouns: He/him/his/el
Hometown: Coachella, CA
Major: Kinesiology
CSUSB Involvement: Kinesiology Student Association, Resident Assistant, Kappa Sigma
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? I have been here at CSUSB since 2019, and I can’t stress this enough – use the resources the school provides!
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, accountability, unique, vibrant, prideful!
Name: Natilo Aquino
Pronouns: He/him
Hometown: Coachella
Major: Business
CSUSB Involvement: Pfau Library, Kappa Sigma Fraternity
What makes CSUSB unique/special? I like the nature around CSUSB because the views are beautiful, especially when it rains everything looks nice.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Professional, beneficial, leader, learning, responsible
Name: Dariana Calederon
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Moreno Valley
Major: Criminal Justice
CSUSB Involvement: Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? One piece of advice I would say is to be open to trying new things and to get out of your comfort zone!
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Exciting, nervous, enthusiastic, engaging, fun
Name: Esmeralda Carreno Calderon
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Fontana
Major: History
CSUSB Involvement: Coyote Cares Day
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are paying to be here, take advantage of the resources.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Exciting, caring, professional, educational, important
Name: Allana Marice Espiritu
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Hometown: Fontana
Major: Business Admin – Accounting
CSUSB Involvement: UEC Student Assistant, NSLS Publicity Chair, IT Coordinator, University Honors Club, PAES Scholar
What makes CSUSB unique/special? The diversity, events like Coyote Fest or Coyote Con, the bowling alley, resourceful!
Describe Orientation in 5 words: fun, exciting, beginning, guide, friend
Name: Alex Flores
Pronouns: He/him
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: IST – Cyber Security
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What makes CSUSB unique/special? What makes CSUSB special is its environmental surroundings but more important how friendly the staff and the students are.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: It was an unforgettable experience.
Name: Dayanara Gallardo
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Lake Elsinore
Major: Chemistry
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What makes CSUSB unique/special? The people, everyone has a different story and were from the same background or have similar stories.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, educational, engaging, friendly, and exciting
Name: Emma Hillig
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Hometown: Riverside, CA
Major: Information Technology/Cybersecurity Concentration
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader, Women in Cybersecurity Chapter
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Your journey is your own, make it what you wish it to be. You belong here, and you matter. Unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light. Then you’re energy.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Immense, exhilarating, fun, welcoming, encouraging
Name: Saraya Jimenez
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Rialto
Major: Psychology
CSUSB Involvement: STEM Center Student Assistant
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to network it benefits a lot!
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, experience, memorable, pride, and new
Name: Lauryn Magana
Pronouns:
Hometown: Fontana, CA
Major: Kinesiology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? To have fun and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, educational, exciting, friendly
Name: Nylsa Mata
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Fontana
Major: Business Administration
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? That getting involved in a club really helped me come out a lot! You should too!
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, communicative, involved, helpful and encouraging
Name: Juan Navarrete
Pronouns: He/him/his
Hometown: Victorville
Major: Political Science
CSUSB Involvement: SAIL, Four Year Pledge, Orientation Leader
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Have a conversation with everyone or whomever, or just say hello. Not only could this help with your networking skills, you could find a friend! And even if this doesn’t occur, you helped in making a fellow student or person be seen.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, crazy, energetic, welcoming, diverse
Name: Destiny Ortiz
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Hesperia, CA
Major: Child Development
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What makes CSUSB unique/special? It creates an opportunity to meet new people and make friends. It is a new environment to learn and make memories.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Creative, fun, open-minded, positive, suppportive
Name: Jasmine Ramirez
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Redlands
Major: Psychology
CSUSB Involvement:
What makes CSUSB unique/special? Diversity and the resources makes CSUSB unique.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: collaborative, fun, energy, informative, exciting
Name: Itzel Rojas Figueroa
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Hometown: Fontana
Major: Psychology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What makes CSUSB unique/special? Our campus offers limitless opportunities for our diversified community, and it feels like home.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Friendly, informative, exciting, memorable, and encouraging
Name: Marely Ruiz
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: El Centro, CA
Major:
CSUSB Involvement: Greek Life, Panhellenic Council
What makes CSUSB unique/special? CSUSB is unique because of its mountains and scenery.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, active, engaging, welcoming, inspiring
Name: Andrea Romero
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Riverside
Major: Sociology
CSUSB Involvement: Orientation Leader
What makes CSUSB unique/special? CSUSB is special because of the culture and community. It is a very warm and welcoming place.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Fun, helpful, supportive, engaging, educational
Name: Joi Thomas
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: Moreno Valley
Major: Environmental Health Science
CSUSB Involvement: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (President), Orientation Leader, student employee
What is one piece of advice you would give to a first-year or transfer student? Never get in the habit of missing class because you will end up not going anymore.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Leadership, opportunistic, fun, supportive, engaging
Name: Breidy Valladares
Pronouns: She/her
Hometown: San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Major: Business Administration – Marketing
CSUSB Involvement: American Marketing Association, Orientation Leader
What makes CSUSB unique/special? CSUSB offers resources to all students, and our campus is so diverse.
Describe Orientation in 5 words: Informative, adventurous, challenging, fun environment and creative.