NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - In the first in a series of nights honoring the CSUN Faculty, the Matador women's volleyball and cross country teams paid tribute to 12 professors during the first Most Valuable Professor (MVP) night Friday (Oct. 6) in Premier America Credit Union Arena.
"The initiative of MVP Night is a testament to the profound relationships and mutual respect fostered between student-athletes and faculty members," said Shawn Chin-Farrell, CSUN's Director of Athletics.
Between sets two and three of the CSUN-UC San Diego women's volleyball match, each participating student-athlete honored one professor who significantly impacted their academic journey, underscoring the deep connections beyond the classroom. Each of the 12 CSUN professors were honored in an on-court ceremony.
- Dr. Ana Sanchez-Muñoz, a professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies, was invited by cross country student-athlete Ja'Patrick Smith.
- Ashley Marie Cabbab, a professor for Academic First Year Experiences, was invited by cross country student-athlete Sakura Divecchio.
- Bari Caine-Lomberto, a professor in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Taylor Orshoff.
- Jennifer Lu, a professor in the Department of Accounting, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Iye Okolo.
- Jennifer Marshall, a professor in the Department of Economics, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Kaia Kanan.
- Julie Bien, a professor in the Department of Journalism, was invited by cross country student-athlete Luis Silva.
- Kelan Koning, a professor in the Department of English, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Taylor Dunlap.
- Dr. Kimberly Carroll, a professor in the Department of English, was invited by cross country student-athlete Ouanessa Nana.
- Leah Marcal, a professor in the Department of Economics, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Kelsey Knudsen.
- September Ewing, a professor in the Department of Child and Adolescent Development, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Tatiana Turgeon.
- Taehyun Kim, a professor in the Department of Journalism, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Simone Wright.
- Timothy Conley, a professor in the Department Africana Studies, was invited by women's volleyball student-athlete Leah Miller.
The next Most Valuable Professor Night will be Oct. 18 during the men's soccer game between CSUN and UC San Diego.
#GoMatadors