About Us

Christopher J. R. Aston
Director
(818) 677-2393 | christopher.aston@csun.edu

Christopher Aston is responsible for programs and services within the Department of Student Development & Transitional Programs and has been involved in the creation and implementation of University events and programs that bookend student life at CSUN for over 20 years.  Areas within his portfolio include New Student Orientation (NSO) for freshman, transfer, and international student populations, university Commencements and convocations and other welcoming and transition related events as well as the management and supervision of talented professional staff, student coordinators, and more than 250 leaders and mentors charged with supporting the continuous process of integrating new students into the academic, cultural and social context at CSUN. His guidance and leadership extend past this department as an adjunct professor through undergraduate studies, instructing courses for University 100, the Freshman Seminar at CSUN. Additionally, Christopher has taught courses in the Department of Communication Studies, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Gabrielle Danis
Assistant Director, New Student & Family Programs
(818) 677-2393 | gabrielle.danis@csun.edu

Gabrielle Danis is responsible for the coordination and event planning all departmental programs surrounding New Students and Families. Ms. Danis has worked for the university professionally since 2016. She attended California State University, Northridge (CSUN) for her undergraduate degree and worked in the Office of Student Involvement and Development as a student assistant. Ms. Danis received her Master's in Education, with an emphasis in Postsecondary Administration, from the University of Southern California in 2018. She has experience in developing programs for 200+ students, staff, and faculty due to her work with New Student Orientation. She is well-versed in all it means to be a CSUN Matador. Her professional philosophy is "to be a resource for all students I serve, both as a mentor and advocate, and assist them in their right to a quality education."

Frankie Benkovic
Activities Coordinator, New Student Orientation
(818) 677-2393 | frank.benkovic@csun.edu 

Frankie Benkovic is responsible for overseeing all New Student Orientation programs. He has worked six orientation seasons as an orientation leader, TAKE cast member, student coordinator, and now as a professional staff member. Frankie graduated with his bachelor's degree in Communication Students and Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration both from CSUN. He is passionate about student development and social justice. His personal belief is that "everyone is deserving of seeking quality education no matter who they are or where they came from." 

Theresa Hadden
Office Manager
theresa.hadden@csun.edu

Connecting and collaborating with our campus colleagues allow NSO to be fresh, current, intentional, and utilizable for our new matadors!

Comprised of campus-wide professional staff and administrators the Orientation Advisory Committee (OAC) assists with the overall goal of the university’s New Student Orientation (NSO) program: “…to support the continuous process of integrating new students into the academic, cultural, and social context of CSUN.” This is accomplished by members meeting monthly to discuss and dialog on matters concerning new students which directly influence NSO and other transitional ceremony related programs (i.e. Freshman Convocation, President’s Picnic, etc..).  The Office of Student Involvement & Development (OSID) oversees the University’s effort for all orientation related programs.