Ron Mackovich
Ron Mackovich 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:
80 years after being forced to leave USC, a degree of honor for the Nisei
Though commencement never came for more than 100 Japanese American students who were forced into internment during World War II, the university will at last issue posthumous degrees in their names.
USC’s 2021 entering undergrad class is the most diverse and talented yet
First-generation and students of color set records. The university’s college prep program for neighborhood children and teens leads the way with 57 first-year students. And Southern California public high schools make their strongest showing.
USC earns silver for being green on national sustainability report card
The university underwent a rigorous evaluation by STARS, the nation’s sustainability rating system for colleges and universities, with the results highlighting successes in community partnerships and biodiversity.
Meet USC’s zero waste auditor: Where most people see abandoned fruit, he sees a delicious dessert
Josh Rebello audits trash, compost and recyclables for a living. The data he produces drive sustainable practices at USC, where multistream recycling is expanding.
Steps silent and unseen move USC toward a more sustainable future
A new report on USC’s sustainability goals reveals progress, including considerable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, as the university prepares to launch its next sustainability plan.
The military after 9/11: How wars impacted veterans’ mental health and care
USC experts reflect on the reverberations of 9/11 and the end of the war in Afghanistan, including the impact on veterans and their mental health care.
Pandemic and streaming force TV and the Emmy Awards into a new era
As the shift from scheduled entertainment to on-demand streaming continues, USC experts debate what counts as television these days — and if anyone will watch the industry’s biggest night.
First-year student from two continents stops at USC on her way to two more
Lesley Omenge’s life journey has taken her across oceans and cultures. Immersing herself in the customs of others, her destination is somewhere on the other side of borders.
USC celebrates a new era of public art with sculpture unveiling
The installation of a 13-foot-tall bronze piece by USC faculty member Enrique Martínez Celaya heralds a re-imagining of the arts at the university.
From artist to astronaut, this USC alum is on a mission to Mars
As part of the Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation, a NASA study that mimics journeying to Mars, Richelle Gribble got to experience life on the red planet while taking her art to new heights.
Thanks to new meters, wasted water will be a thing of the past at USC
To detect leaks and promote sustainability, the university is installing ultrasonic submeters on dozens of older buildings and cooling towers.
Dana Goldman takes on deanship at USC Price School of Public Policy
Long a leader at USC Price, Goldman has served as interim dean since last year. He’ll head the school as rapid change creates pressing demands for public policy research and scholars.
USC reaccredited after inclusive review of university standards, curriculum, quality and culture
The university’s convergent spirit and cultural transformation are commended, along with a commitment to transparency and affordability.
Thanassis Rikakis, educational innovator, named dean of USC Iovine and Young Academy
A classically trained musician known for his transformational leadership and transdisciplinary curriculum, Rikakis will begin conducting the academy on Aug. 23.
When the big chill is too big, a more sustainable substitute cools Galen Center
The massive motors used to cool the arena can take a break now that a smaller “pony chiller” has been installed to cut energy use.
Engineering a future, USC ROTC grad rises to the challenge of pilot training
Sarah Markosky is an aspiring engineer and a pilot, one who isn’t intimidated by entering male-dominated fields.
Army veteran serves as peacemaker in urban combat zones
Many people fear the places Hector Jimenez needs to be. He relies on his battlefield experience — and his studies at USC, where he has earned two graduate degrees — almost every day.
First-gen engineering grad ready to land Air Force career
Despite early setbacks, graduating USC student Giovanni Flores is gaining momentum as he aims for a post-graduation pilot slot.
When Grandpa can’t figure out FaceTime: Students teach tech to connect to older adults
Smartphone support and health advice helped seniors and USC students from seven health-related disciplines get through the pandemic.
South L.A. goes green as backyard gardens and orchards grow
Fresh produce from nearby neighborhoods makes its way across Los Angeles as USC’s Good Neighbors Campaign helps support local growers.
Bina Venkataraman named 2021 USC commencement speaker
A journalist and author whose outlook unites science, compassion and optimism, Venkataraman will look ahead to an age in which courage can prevent catastrophe.
Despite advances in distance learning, homework gap persists among California families
While many K-12 students have adapted to online learning, a USC study finds that some families have had trouble accessing devices or reliable internet connections, especially Hispanics who primarily speak Spanish.
Pandemic pushes California into new age of telehealth and telecommuting
New habits developed during lockdown are likely to continue, a USC study finds, which means less driving to work or medical appointments. That said, access to these opportunities still varies by race and income.
The leaf blowers go quiet at USC, home of the country’s first campus green zone
Complaints sparked a change from noisy landscaping equipment to clean technologies on the University Park Campus, part of a major investment that’s earned the university green accolades.