About Us

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs provides strategic leadership and guidance to departments within the Division of Student Affairs and fosters collaborations throughout the university in order to support student success and well-being. The office assists students in navigating campus policies and procedures and is as an advocate for services and programs that improve the quality of the student experience. The office plays a central role in promoting student well-being, responsible student behavior and ethical conduct.

The Office of the Vice President provides administrative oversight and direction for the services offered by departments within the division. In doing so, the office maintains a vigorous program review and student assessment that seeks to advance specific student-learning and service outcomes. The office is also responsible for administering and/or interpreting procedures concerning ethical student behavior, student records, use of campus facilities, students’ right to privacy and academic grade appeals.

We invite students, parents, faculty and staff to make full use of the information available through the university and Student Affairs websites. If you need further assistance, please contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and we will do our very best to assist you.

Sincerely,

Dr. William Watkins
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students

Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs

Dr. William Watkins
Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
william.watkins@csun.edu

William Watkins

Dr. Watkins was appointed Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students in June 2010. He is an alumnus of Cal State Northridge, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in urban studies. As an undergraduate, he was elected student body president, the first African-American to hold that position, and received the prestigious Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. He went on to earn his master’s in public administration from the University of Southern California and his doctorate in education leadership from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Watkins is the chief student affairs officer, providing leadership and direction to the programs and services of the Division of Student Affairs. He is a member of the president’s cabinet, and serves on or chairs a wide range of campus committees and boards. He serves as a student advocate and advises student leaders, clubs and organizations. Dr. Watkins is widely known and respected for his commitment to the intellectual and personal development of students, and is dedicated to continuing the work that has made Student Affairs a division focused on student learning and success.

Shelley Ruelas-Bischoff
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Student Engagement and Well-being
shelley.ruelas@csun.edu

Shelley Ruelas-Bischoff

Dr. Ruelas-Bischoff brings her passion and commitment to successful student engagement, development, learning and connection within our CSUN community. She provides leadership, strategic direction and administrative oversight for Student Development and Transitional Programs, Student Housing and Residential Life, Student Life and Leadership/The Matador Involvement Center, and Basic Needs programs and services supporting students' food stability and housing security. Dr. Ruelas-Bischoff has focused on issues of wellness, equity and access throughout her career, with a strong emphasis on collaborative initiatives that improve the educational, social and personal outcomes of underserved and diverse student populations. She is the first in her family to graduate from college and deeply appreciates the transformative power of education. Dr. Ruelas-Bischoff earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and later completed her Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

David Dufault-Hunter, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Enrollment Services
ddh@csun.edu

David Dufault-Hunter, Ph.D., Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, Enrollment Services

David Dufault-Hunter, Ph.D. currently serves as Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services at California State University, Northridge. In this role, he provides leadership and administrative oversight to the subdivisions of Student Outreach and Recruitment, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Technology, Strategic Communications, the Office of Admissions, the Office of the Registrar, and the International and Exchange Student Center. He has over 30 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration in the areas of enrollment management, strategic planning and domestic and international student recruitment.

Dr. Dufault-Hunter earned a bachelor's degree in Speech Communications from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Azusa Pacific University.

Freddie Sánchez, PhD, Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Equity and Inclusion
freddie.sanchez@csun.edu

Freddie Sánchez, PhD

Dr. Freddie Sánchez is an advocate for social justice, equity and inclusive practices in higher education. Being the son of immigrant parents and a first-generation college graduate with beginnings in South Los Angeles, CA, has guided his passion to serve as an advocate and student affairs leader that creates educational opportunities for students to thrive. Dr. Sánchez serves as the Interim Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs, Equity and Inclusion at California State University, Northridge providing leadership to various departments including: Disability Resources & Educational Services, National Center of Deafness, Center of Disabilities, University Student Union and direction on equity and inclusive practices at the division and campus levels. Dr. Sanchez serves as co-coordinator of the Identify Based Resource Centers initiative. Dr. Sánchez also teaches in the Masters in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies at California State University, Northridge.

Dr. Sánchez is involved at various regional and national levels, including currently serving as the NASPA (NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education) Co-Chair for the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, a member of the California State University Young Male of Color Consortium, and the California Council of Cultural Centers in Higher Education (CaCCCHE). His commitment to equity, inclusion and justice has been recognized by the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) as the 2021 Revis A. Cox Memorial Scholarship recipient and nominated for his outstanding staff performance for the CSU Wang Excellence Award in 2022 and 2023, the highest honor in the California State University system. Dr. Sánchez holds a B.S. in Financial Mathematics and Statistics, B.A. in Spanish, both from the University of California, Santa Barbara, M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration in Student Affairs from the University of Southern California and a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Educational Equity from San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate University.

Zeina Otaky-Ramirez
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Student Conduct and Ethical Development
zeina.ramirez@csun.edu

Gerson Lam
Student Conduct Officer
gerson.lam@csun.edu

Madalynn Gayheart
Resource Manager
madalynn.gayheart@csun.edu

Thanh Kha
Associate Budget Analyst
thanh.kha@csun.edu

Mandy Shamir
Admin. Analyst Specialist
mandy.fontaine@csun.edu

Robin Ferguson
Executive Assistant to the Vice President
robin.ferguson@csun.edu

Michael Clemens
Administrative Assistant
michael.clemens@csun.edu

Maria Fidaleo-Angell
Administrative Analyst/Specialist
maria.angell@csun.edu

Dina Reyes
Administrative Support Assistant
dina.reyes@csun.edu

Kevin Velez
CARE & Conduct Coordinator
kevin.velez@csun.edu

Mission, Values and Beliefs

The Division of Student Affairs furthers the mission of California State University, Northridge by advancing student learning and success while promoting wellbeing, fostering personal and career growth, and encouraging social and civic responsibility. We deliver support services and co-curricular programs, create opportunities for access, and advocate for student needs and aspirations at every milestone of their academic journey. We engage students and communities so that every Matador feels they belong.

Our culture is aligned with the university’s commitment to
Respect, Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
and these additional values guide our work:

Integrity | Collaboration | Compassion | Service | Innovation

Grounded in data and systematic inquiry, we believe…

equity and inclusion enhance the quality of the educational experience.
creating spaces that promote respectful debate and dialogue help us understand and learn from each other.
opening doors of access and removing barriers to academic success elevates communities.
each student has the potential to succeed.
intentionally created co-curricular experiences lead to individual transformation, foster social change, and help develop a sense of belonging.