About Us

Juana Maria Valdivia, Director
Student Outreach and Recruitment
juana.valdivia@csun.edu

Juana Maria Valdivia provides leadership and guidance for the Student Outreach and Recruitment team. Working in the field of higher education for more than 25 years, she has supervised the University Ambassadors program – which includes more than 65 CSUN students who serve as the university's official tour guides – and managed various university outreach events to promote college awareness. She obtained a bachelor's degree in theatre arts and a master's degree in educational leadership and policy studies from CSUN.

Catherine Villa-Real, Associate Director
Student Outreach and Recruitment
Catherine.villa-real@csun.edu

Catherine Villa-Real is the Associate Director of Student Outreach and Recruitment. Catherine has over fifteen years of working in higher education at a community college, private institution, and California State University. She worked in the financial aid department, admissions, outreach and recruitment. Catherine obtained a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a master's in Marriage Family and Child Therapy at University of Phoenix.

Gigi McGuire, Assistant Director
Partnerships and Initiatives
gigi.mcguire@csun.edu

Gigi McGuire provides leadership for the Partnerships and Initiatives unit within Student Outreach and Recruitment. She has worked with SOAR for more than 20 years as a recruiter, tour coordinator, outreach counselor and assistant director. She works on numerous statewide initiatives in collaboration with local school districts, community-based organizations and federal grant programs. As an expert in the California State University system, Gigi provides training to new high school counselors. Gigi earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and master's degree in public administration from CSUN.

Charity Chia, Coordinator
Testing Center
charity.chia@csun.edu

Charity Chia directs development and operations for the university's testing services, which facilitate degree completion and promote access and enrollment. She has worked at CSUN for more than 10 years — first in Admissions and Records and now as coordinator for the Testing Center. Charity earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Truman State University in Missouri.

Monica Jimenez, Director
TRIO Programs
monica.jimenez@csun.edu

Monica Jimenez provides leadership for TRIO federal college preparation programs. She has 23 years of experience overseeing various federal and state grant programs. Monica has worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District as well as charter schools throughout Los Angeles, managing expanded learning programs by working closely with school administrators, students and parents. Monica obtained her bachelor's degree in child development from CSUN.