California State University, Northridge is encouraging newly admitted freshmen, transfer students and their families to attend Explore CSUN to receive financial aid information, tour the campus and attend multiple workshops.

Explore CSUN, an event organized by the Division of Student Affairs and Student Outreach and Recruitment, is an open house event that offers incoming CSUN students insight to campus life and resources. The event will take place on Saturday, April 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This year’s event will feature a variety of workshops that range in topics such as how to make a successful transition to becoming a CSUN student, how to access the Disability Resources and Educational Services, as well as information on the International and Exchange Student Center.

The event will also provide admitted students and family members with campus tours, opportunities for discussions with current students, alumni and one-on-one time with representatives from CSUN’s nine colleges, Admissions and Records and Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Juana Maria Valdivia, Director of Student Outreach and Recruitment, said Explore CSUN has been around for more than 20 years, though its size, schedule and name have evolved.

“Twenty years ago we had open house, but it was nothing like what we have today,” Valdivia said. “It’s evolved based on the number of students we have. Back then, open house was an 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. program. Three years ago, we saw a massive number of students wanting to come to CSUN, so we said ‘let’s make this more like an actual open house.'”

This year’s event is also different from previous years’ Explore CSUN events because it will offer the financial aid workshops in Spanish.

“We know that students who are the first in their family to go to college have parents whose primary language is not English,” Valdivia said. “We are [offering] the financial aid workshops in Spanish instead of having all of our sessions in English.”

Valdivia pointed out that Explore CSUN is a great way for first-generation students and their parents to get acquainted with the campus as well as the resources CSUN has to offer.

“One of the things that we’ve done since the inception of [Explore CSUN] is offer Spanish tours,” Valdivia said. “We are very fortunate to have ambassadors that can lead these tours in Spanish.”

Those who register for Explore CSUN will be given a complimentary parking pass. Attendees can arrive at any time between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more details about this event, please visit Explore CSUN.

Explore CSUN, Matadors, Student Outreach and Recruitment