The Roar Report - June 2026

Student Affairs End-of-Year Awards Celebration

Our 2026 Student Affairs End-of-Year Awards Celebration honored the people, programs, and departments whose dedication, collaboration, and service strengthen our division and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.

Thank you to all of our Student Affairs staff, faculty, and student employees for your hard work and commitment throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. We are grateful for all that we accomplished together and look forward to another year of transforming lives, one student at a time!

Congratulations to our 2026 award recipients:

Student Employee Service Award

Crow Thompson

Lead Peer Educator, Pride Center

Distinguished Friend of Student Affairs Award

Randy Duncan

Senior Director, Finance & Administrative Services

Madeline Kreig

Senior Budget Analyst, Finance & Administrative Services

Individual Excellence in Student Service Award

Cathy Nguyen

Health Promotion Coordinator/Senior Health Educator, Student Health & Counseling Services

Team Excellence in Student Service Award

Cougar Care Network & Basic Needs Team

Innovation Award

Makayla Hall

Leadership Programs Coordinator, Student Leadership & Involvement Center

Outstanding Administrative or Operational Support Award

Tatiana Ferreira

Licensing Coordinator, Housing & Residential Education

Outstanding New Professional Award

Rosa Hunt

Health Educator, Student Health & Counseling Services

Outstanding Manager Award

Travis Douglas

Executive Director, Housing & Residential Education

Sandra R. Kuchler Employee of the Year Award

Carol Hollis

Interim Director of Clinical Services, Student Health & Counseling Services

View photo gallery

April STAR Award Recipient

Vanessa Crespin

Budget and Financial Operations Analyst, Athletics

The STAR award honors staff and faculty whose exceptional contributions exemplify our division’s mission to transform lives, one student at a time, whether through direct student engagement or vital behind-the-scenes support.

Vanessa is being recognized for her exceptional contributions to Athletics and her commitment to student success. In a critical new role, she has taken on significant budget and financial responsibilities with confidence, precision, and professionalism while helping guide the department through important operational processes. She is also known for her collaborative spirit and willingness to support others, including onboarding and training team members. Through her positive attitude, solutions-focused approach, and dedication to excellence, Vanessa helps create an environment where colleagues feel valued and student-athletes have the resources and support needed to thrive both on and off the field.

Who will be next?

We invite you to submit nominations for the June STAR Award. Help us continue to celebrate and recognize the amazing work happening across Student Affairs.

Submit by July 2 at 11:59 p.m.

Note: Nominations will remain active for one year from the month of submission. This ensures that outstanding contributions are given thoughtful consideration over time and that the process is not solely driven by the number of nominations received each month.

Click here to learn more about our Division Recognition Program and view past award recipients.

Submit your nomination

Celebrating Pride Month

During June, we honor the LGBTQIA+ community and celebrate the diversity of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni while reaffirming our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels they belong, is valued, and can thrive as their authentic selves.

Join the Pride Center as they lead the CSUSM contingent at the 20th annual San Diego Pride Parade. This year's theme, "Pride Shines On," will be celebrated on Saturday, July 18, from 10 am to 3 pm!

RSVP by June 29

Observing Juneteenth

Juneteenth is both a celebration of freedom and a time to honor the resilience, history, and contributions of Black communities. It also invites us to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of equity, justice, and belonging, and on the responsibility we each share in building more inclusive spaces.

As part of the local celebration, members of the CSUSM community attended the annual Juneteenth Festival hosted by the North San Diego County NAACP, sharing information about CSUSM and connecting with community members.

Department Highlights

Campus Recreation Summer 2026 Group Fitness Classes

Group fitness classes are happening and you don't want to miss them! Campus Rec invites you to get your body moving and join the community in their group fitness sessions.

Staff and faculty are welcome to attend all summer for a $50 fee. Students enrolled in summer classes may attend at no cost and students not enrolled in summer classes must the Campus Rec fee of $35.

It’s a convenient, on-campus way to de-stress and recharge during the work or school day!

You can find the full group fitness schedule and more information on the Campus Recreation website or by following them on Instagram @csusmrec.

Welcome to the Student Affairs Family!

Gianna Metz

gmetz@csusm.edu

Community Director, University Village Apartments

Gianna is from San Diego, CA and received both her BA in Sociology and MA in Higher Education Leadership from the University of San Diego. Before joining the Residential Education team as a Community Director at CSUSM, Gianna was the Residential Life and New Student Programs Coordinator at USD where she supported the administrative, budgetary, and operational goals of the department. Outside of work, you can find her battling Ticketmaster queues for concert tickets, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

Frank Villarreal

fvillarreal@csusm.edu

Community Director, North Commons

Frank is excited to be joining the CSUSM team, coming from his role as Community Director at Eastern Washington University, near Spokane, WA. Frank attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, where he received a degree in Economics. Some interesting facts about Frank include: he previously owned over 40 houseplants, and he has a scar in the shape of a goldfish.

Paola Ruiz

promo@csusm.edu

Assistant Director of Residential Education, Housing

Paola was recently promoted to Assistant Director of Residential Education. She is a first-generation college graduate with a BA in Sociology form CSUSM and an MA in Postsecondary Educational Leadership with a specialization in Student Affairs from SDSU. Originally from Mexico City, Paola immigrated to California and grew up in the Inland Empire. Her Housing journey began at CSUSM as an RA (CA), followed by graduate work in Housing at SDSU. She later worked professionally at NAU before returning to CSUSM Housing & Residential Education, where she started as a Community Director. Some fun facts about Paola include: she loves the color yellow, reading, Twilight, and tiny things!

Illeana Carmona Chavez

icchavez@csusm.edu

Interim Communications & Engagement Coordinator, Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs

Illeana is a recent graduate of CSUSM where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology & Justice Studies. As a student, she was involved in Associated Students, Inc., the Office of Government Relations, and Campus Recreation, where she developed a passion for leadership, Student Affairs, and Higher Education. In her role as Interim Communications & Engagement Coordinator, Illeana is excited to support the division through campus engagement and meaningful communication efforts that highlight the impact of the division’s work.

Laura Guzman

lguzman@csusm.edu

Program Coordinator & Counselor, College Assistance Migrant Program

Laura brings a strong background in student support, mentorship, and program coordination, with a deep commitment to serving first-generation and underrepresented students. As a CSUSM graduate and CAMP alumna, she understands firsthand the impact that programs like CAMP can have, and over the past four years she has remained actively involved in CAMP through leadership roles supporting scholars and their transition to college. She also served as Program Activities Lead and Resident Advisor for the Migrant Scholars Summer Institute (MSSI), supporting Migrant Education students from Los Angeles as they explored college life and future opportunities. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development with a minor in Spanish, and as both a former CAMP Scholar and Migrant Education student, her journey has been shaped by mentors and programs that encouraged her growth. Today, she is committed to helping students recognize their strengths and take meaningful steps toward their educational and career goals.

Carlos Patino Santarosa

cpatino@csusm.edu

Outreach & Academic Counselor, College Assistance Migrant Program

Carlos currently leads recruitment and outreach efforts for prospective students while providing academic advising, support, and programming for CAMP Scholars. He brings extensive experience supporting first-generation college students through outreach, mentoring, and academic guidance across multiple departments at California State University San Marcos, including CAMP, Learning and Tutoring Services, New Student and Family Programs, and the Office of Undergraduate Studies. He also has prior outreach and recruitment experience with the Educational Opportunity Program at San Diego State University. Carlos holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development with a minor in Spanish from CSUSM and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Counseling at San Diego State University. His student-centered, collaborative approach reflects a long-standing commitment to holistic student development through higher education programs and student support services.

Andrea Martinez-Santiago

amartinezsan@

csusm.edu

Program Assistant, College Assistance

Migrant Program

Andrea Martinez-Santiago is a recent graduate of CSUSM, where she earned her bachelor's degree in Human Development. Throughout her undergraduate experience, she served as a peer mentor, helping students navigate their college journey and connect with resources that supported their academic and personal success. Andrea is passionate about helping students navigate their undergraduate journey and empowering them to reach their educational goals. She now serves as the full-time Program Assistant for the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), where she supports first-generation college students and students from agricultural backgrounds as they transition to and succeed in higher education. Having grown up between San Marcos, California, and Oaxaca, Mexico, Andrea brings a bicultural perspective and a strong commitment to fostering student success, educational access, and community building.

Upcoming Events

July 14, 2026

Good Fit or Good Add? How Belonging Expands the Table

10 am - 11 am | Virtual

July 15, 2026

25Live Reports Workshop

10 am - 11:30 am | Markstein 305

July 15, 2026

Student Affairs Softball Showdown

12 pm - 3 pm | Softball Field

RSVP here

July 18, 2026

San Diego Pride Parade

10 am - 3 pm | Hillcrest, San Diego

RSVP here

July 23, 2026

Meal Prep Without Burnout

1pm - 2 pm | Kellogg Library 5400

July 29, 2026

Empowering Student Parents: A Workshop for Staff

12 pm - 1 pm | Staff Center (Commons 109)

Submit your story for the July newsletter!

Help us make this newsletter a reflection of the great things happening in Student Affairs by submitting your stories and shout-outs (like a thank you or team recognition) using the form below. Submissions are due by the 1st of the publication month.

Please note: The Student Affairs Newsletter is not a student-facing publication. Content should be intended for staff and faculty audiences.

Submission Form

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Transforming Lives, One Student at a Time