group of student engagement staff and student workers sitting on the steps of Sandhu Conference Center at Chapman University
Student Life

» Contact Student Engagement

The Department of Student Engagement is comprised of five different functional areas including the Argyros Forum Student Union, the Campus Center at RinkerFraternity & Sorority Life, Student Organizations, and Wellness and Recreation. Student Engagement staff members are enthusiastic individuals who work hard to enhance the student experience at Chapman University by coordinating a variety of facilities and programs designed to support students' sense of belonging and development. 

Phone: (714) 997-6761
Email: se@chapman.edu

photo of Chris Hutchison, Ph.D.

Chris Hutchison, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President and Associate Dean of Students
Argyros Forum 303C
(714) 628-7321
Chris Hutchison, Ph.D., serves as the Associate Vice President and Associate Dean of Students in the Division of Student Affairs at Chapman University. In this role, he is a member of the Dean of Students Office while overseeing a broad array of student engagement avenues, including civic engagement, the Campus Center at Rinker, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Organizations, the Argyros Forum Student Union, and Wellness and Recreation. He also serves as an advisor to the Student Government Association. Additionally, Chris is an instructor for Chapman’s Attallah College of Educational Studies, teaching in the undergraduate Leadership Studies Minor and the Master of Arts in Leadership Development programs. Chris is an active member of the professional association NASPA—Student Affairs in Higher Education, and has served on regional conference planning committees. Chris has presented at regional, national, and international conferences on the topics of pedagogy, civic learning and democratic engagement, interfaith dialogue, leadership, sustainability in higher education, and arts-based inquiry/action-research. Chris received his M.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of San Diego and his M.S. in Educational Studies-Higher Education from the University of Oxford. He also received his Ph.D. in Education from Chapman University, researching undergraduate civic learning and the impact of democratic pedagogy, embedding experiential processes, and centralizing university-community dynamics within the curriculum. His research interests include civic learning and democratic engagement, college student learning and development, and topics related to experiential learning environments, democratic pedagogy, democratized classrooms, and university-community dynamics. Chris began his career in higher education in 1998.
photo of Jaclyn Dreschler

Jaclyn Dreschler

Associate Director of Student Involvement
Argyros Forum 303D
(714) 628-7227
Direct contact for: Fraternity and Sorority Life, Student Organizations, University Program Board
Jaclyn Dreschler serves as the Associate Director of Student Involvement. Her responsibilities include management and support of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Student Organizations. She also assists with broader departmental training and development efforts. Jaclyn serves on the Campus Climate Committee and the People@Chapman Advisory Group. Since 2012, Jaclyn has been an active member of the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors and NASPA - Student Affairs Professionals in Higher Education. Before Chapman, she worked in the Fraternity and Sorority Life office at Villanova University and as a Graduate Assistant for Leadership Programs at the University of San Diego, where she earned her master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership. Jaclyn is a proud member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
no photo available for Jessica Tran

Jessica Tran

Administrative Assistant
Argyros Forum 303
(714) 516-5521
photo of Justin Koppelman, Ph.D.

Justin Koppelman, Ph.D.

Director of Student Engagement
Argyros Forum 303E
(714) 997-6894
Direct contact for: Argyros Forum Student Union, Campus Center at Rinker, Panther Pantry, Wellness and Recreation
Justin Koppelman serves as a Director of Student Engagement at Chapman University. His administrative responsibilities include oversight of the Argyros Forum Student Union, the Campus Center at Rinker, and Wellness and Recreation. Justin is also an instructor in Chapman’s Attallah College of Educational Studies, teaching undergraduate courses on leadership and civic engagement and graduate courses on college student development theory and higher education, and a moderator for Braver Angels, a national organization dedicated to depolarizing American politics. Justin has published and presented at regional, national, and international conferences on the topics of assessment, civic engagement, interfaith dialogue, leadership, and sustainability in higher education. Justin has also been an active member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators since 2008, serving in a variety of regional and national volunteer roles. Most recently, Justin has represented Chapman University as a Lead Advisory Institution for NASPA, supporting efforts to advance civic learning and democratic engagement in the field of student affairs. Previously, Justin has served on regional conference and knowledge community committees. Justin has a B.A. in Organizational Leadership, a M.A. in English, and a Ph.D. in Education from Chapman University. Justin’s academic interests include civic learning and engagement; college student development; and topics related gender and masculinities in postsecondary education.
photo of Karla Monterrey

Karla Monterrey

Program Coordinator for the Student Union
Argyros Forum 303B
(714) 997-6999
Direct contact for: Argyros Forum Student Union
Karla Monterrey serves as the Program Coordinator for the Student Union at Chapman University's Orange Campus. In this role, Karla's responsibilities include managing the Argyros Forum Student Union and the facility operations and programs focused on community building, entertainment, and celebrating students diverse identities and lived experiences. Prior to working at Chapman University, Karla lived in Chicago and attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue a master’s degree in Art History, Theory and Criticism. She left SAIC, moved back to California and spent some time working as an independent artist. Karla has a bachelor’s degree in Art History from the Cal State, Fullerton and a Master of Arts in Leadership Development from Chapman University. Karla loves music, art, tv, food and is part of the BTS ARMY!
photo of Kayla Wiechert

Kayla Wiechert

Program Specialist
Argyros Forum 303
(714) 628-7384
Direct contact for: Student Organizations
Kayla Wiechert is a Program Specialist in Student Engagement. She is responsible for supporting recognized student organizations, with specific oversight of academic student organizations. She also assists with the administration of general departmental projects, programs, and services. Kayla is one of the advisors to the Student Government Association, supporting their finance and public relations efforts. Kayla has also served as an Associate Director in the department during which time she led the advisement of recognized student organizations, oversaw administrative operations, served on campus climate committees, and trained as a Title IX investigator and hearing officer. Prior to joining Student Engagement, Kayla served as the Residential Education Coordinator from 2010-2013 and Program Assistant for Orientation and First Year programs in 2010 at Chapman. Her professional interests include connecting students activities outside of the classroom to their academic pursuits. She has presented at Western Regional Conferences for NASPA, as well as served on several professional association committees. Kayla was also the recipient of the 2013 NASPA Region VI Dorothy Keller New Professional Award. Kayla has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and religious studies from Saint Mary’s College of California and a master’s degree in student affairs from University of California, Los Angeles.
photo of Michael Sakhel

Michael Sakhel

Facility Manager for Wellness and Recreation
Henley Hall 001
(714) 516-6192
Direct contact for: Wellness and Recreation
Michael serves as the Facility Manager for Wellness and Recreation, overseeing day-to-day operations for the Henley Hall Fitness Center, Julianne Argyros Fitness Center, Doti-Struppa Rock Wall and the Masson Family Beach Club and Recreation Area. His responsibilities include ensuring proper safety measures are adhered to within facilities, working with external vendors on preventative equipment-maintenance efforts, and coordinating group fitness classes and other on-campus recreation programming. Michael's athletic background and experience help shape a holistic approach to fitness. He has a passion for professional sports organizations and works part time with the Los Angeles Chargers Fan Experience department. Michael has a bachelor's degree in Communications from Cal Poly Pomona.
photo of Sydney Nomura

Sydney Nomura

Program Coordinator for Student Involvement
Argyros Forum 303A
(714) 516-5199
Direct contact for: Student Organizations, University Program Board
Sydney Nomura serves as the Program Coordinator for Student Involvement. In this role, Sydney is responsible for the advisement and development of student organizations and is the professional staff advisor for the University Program Board. Prior to Chapman, Sydney worked for the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers at Cal Poly Pomona, the Office of Alumni Engagement at Azusa Pacific University, and the Pre-College Programs at Barnard College. Sydney received her B.A. in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Culture, Psychology, and Leadership from the University of La Verne and her M.S. in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University. Sydney is passionate about building relationships between faculty, staff, and students to promote their holistic learning, and one of her goals as a student affairs educator is to guide students through their higher education journey to ensure they have accessible opportunities to foster their development.