Ron Mackovich-Rodriguez
Ron Mackovich-Rodriguez oversees priorities – stories about USC Village, biotech, access and value, among other areas – for USC University Communications. He has a strong background in digital journalism, most recently at KCBS-TV.
Stories by Ron Mackovich-Rodriguez:
Historic winter blast is a mixed blessing for USC ski and snowboard team
The super-size snowpack created unprecedented opportunities for the student-run organization (yes, USC has a ski team), but it nearly shut down the sport’s national competition.
Transforming pain through paint, ‘Tech Picasso’ leaves traumatic memories behind
iAsia Brown spent 16 years as a gay woman in a “don’t ask, don’t tell” military. Now, she’s producing Xbox games, chasing her master’s degree at USC Marshall and painting images that stop viewers in their tracks.
Kevin Feige, producer and president of Marvel Studios, named USC’s 2023 commencement speaker
The USC alumnus — the creative force behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe — earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination in 2019 for producing Black Panther, the first superhero film nominated in that category.
USC plastic bottle ban keeps a million bottles out of landfills
The ban on single-use plastic beverage bottles — part of USC’s effort to reach zero waste by 2028 — took effect July 1.
A different kind of danger challenges USC veteran
Advanced treatment helps a Marine power through a life-threatening disease. Cheering him on are an optimistic oncologist, a close personal advocate and 50,000 fans.
USC’s new, student-led mariachi band brings back a Trojan tradition
Mariachi Los Troyanos de USC is heavily booked, with gigs on campus, at major city events and on television.
Q&A: Informed youth, optimism best defense against new threats to LGBTQ+ rights
In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, USC Rossier School of Education’s Theodore Burnes reflects on how to foster productive conversations on LGBTQ+ subjects and methods to better support LGBTQ+ students and youth.
Zero waste team goes mobile, bringing sustainability to USC tailgating
GREEN WEEK: Zero waste efforts had a separation issue during home game revelry. Now an electric cart and trailer are making the rounds during game day tailgates. The objective is education, cleaner recycling and a maybe a selfie or two.
Making the future look more like the past, USC landscapers learn to nurture native plants
GREEN WEEK: Some native plants are shady characters; others worship the sun. Some look dead, but they’re just sleeping in the summer heat. It takes a knowledgeable landscaper to sort things out and keep them alive
How L.A.’s culinary roots lie in its Mexican tradition
USC Dornsife’s Sarah Portnoy provides a guide to L.A.’s culinary history, its cultural shifts and its transformation.
Impressive numbers shape the USC Class of 2026
With a strong showing by first generation college students, USC’s newest class is off and running. Academic achievement and diversity are key characteristics of the USC freshman class.
Early Action admission offers a timely alternative for would-be Trojans
It may be a good choice for those who are set on USC and like to get a jump on things. For others, the standard process remains the way to go.
Q&A: New incentives could electrify the car market, but old roadblocks remain
California approved regulations banning the sale of new gasoline-powered cars and trucks by 2035, an action aimed at addressing climate change that could speed the nation’s transition to electric vehicles. How will incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act affect the hot electric vehicle market? USC Assistant Professor Hovig Tchalian weighs in.
Marine Corps veteran and new USC graduate helps convert shipping containers into housing
COMMENCEMENT 2022: J.D. Barba spent five years as an active-duty Marine. His new mission: building modular housing in the Crenshaw District for homeless people.
Author and peace advocate Maya Soetoro-Ng chosen as USC baccalaureate speaker
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The educator and leader aims to bring a message of peace and strength in the pursuit of justice and healthy communities.
Public art exhibit showcases global worldview of climate change
EARTH WEEK: Students are transforming giant globes to communicate abstract ideas about the climate crisis.
USC’s incoming class shows continued progress in diversity, first-gen representation
Admission offers are out to almost 8,200 would-be students around the globe.
Quest for honorary degrees ends as President Folt confers diplomas upon Nisei students
It’s a historic act of atonement, as the university presents families from around the world diplomas in the names of Japanese American USC students who were forced into detention in 1942.
USC celebrates its military, veterans and ROTC — in person, at last
Featured speaker retired Air Force Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski headlined a lively evening of tradition and celebration of USC’s long partnership with the military.
6 distinguished figures to receive honorary degrees at USC’s 2022 commencement
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The well-known names include leaders from the worlds of philanthropy, entertainment, sports and journalism.
Building a peaceful place for reflection and remembrance
Dedicated to Japanese American students forced out of USC during World War II, a rock garden in traditional Japanese style is designed with a spirit of stoic strength and optimism borne of adversity. Read about the project and watch the video.
To increase diversity in architecture, USC’s A-Lab nurtures South L.A. high schoolers
The semesterlong architecture immersion course gives students rare opportunities — and a glimpse into a field that just might be a perfect fit.
USC joins U.S. Space Force’s University Partnership Program
The university’s diversity, commitment to the military and wealth of research made it an ideal fit for this agreement, which begins a formal partnership.
‘Family Reunion’ on McCarthy Quad helps wind down Black History Month celebration
The event with panel discussions, music, food and fun capped USC’s most vibrant celebration of Black History Month yet, a series of events focused on the joy, health and vitality of the Black experience.