Saul Garcia
Saul covers news for USC’s many civic engagement and educational partnership programs. Reach him at saulgarc@usc.edu
Stories by Saul Garcia:
To ensure a first-rate student experience, USC ramps up hiring efforts
The university is holding hiring events in an effort to meet the demands of reopening campus and fill more than 200 Care Crew, culinary and hospitality support positions.
Trojan Shelter pivots to keep its doors open for students facing housing insecurity
When the pandemic disrupted in-person services, the student-run organization — funded in part by the USC Good Neighbors Campaign — had to turn to plan B and even plan C to stay operational.
L.A. restaurateur turns misfortune into growth with a strategy boost from USC partners
Thanks to the Bridges to Business program, Greg Dulan’s restaurants are not just surviving in a COVID-altered world; they’re thriving.
First-year Trojan Abraham Flores finds himself in a familiar place
USC’s Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement ignited Flores’ love of storytelling — and brought him to the University Park Campus. Now he’s here as a USC student.
USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative graduates return to campus
Close to 60 grads from the initiative’s Class of 2021 are going from Saturday Academy attendees to full-time Trojans.
Annenberg Youth Academy student begins her USC journey
The USC Annenberg program for media-savvy high school students kept Kymia Freeman engaged during the pandemic and helped fulfill her dream of becoming a full-fledged Trojan.
In-person learning returns as USC’s School for Early Childhood Education launches summer program
Kids and teachers reunite with smaller classes that will allow faculty and staff to focus on safety protocols in advance of a full fall return.
A seven-year journey ends for the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative’s most accomplished class
Tracy Nguyen, who is headed to Johns Hopkins University, is one of the 83 graduating high school seniors who will be attending college this fall — a perfect 100% of the class.
Neighborhood Academic Initiative graduation marks the end of Cáceres family journey
Emmely Cáceres will become the last of four daughters to graduate from USC’s premier college prep program, and she credits her sisters and parents with putting her on the path to success.
USC TRiO students celebrate virtual graduation
The event honored the achievements of 104 Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science graduates, seven of whom will be attending USC.
Inspired by her mother’s love, this young poet prepares for life as a Trojan
Shandela Contreras would not have graduated from USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative without her mom’s hard work and sacrifice, virtues she’ll carry with her as a USC student.
Local entrepreneur ready to revitalize South L.A. food deserts, with USC help
Thanks in part to guidance from USC’s Bridges to Business Success Program, Javonne Sanders believes her company, Toss It Up Salad, is primed to provide the community with much-needed healthy options.
Celebrating Black history: Trojans create art inspired by social justice
More than 100 participants of all artistic skill levels attended “Black History in the Making” and enjoyed an evening of communal expression.
Mobile dental clinic keeps kids smiling through the pandemic
The clinic — operated by the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and serving thousands annually — won’t let COVID-19 cut down on care for Angelenos in need.
To make online learning easier, USC’s college prep program gets tech-savvy
The Neighborhood Academic Initiative realized early in the pandemic that innovative learning tools would be needed to educate its scholars, leading a new team of “tech innovators” to make lightboards a top priority.
President’s Leadership Circle honored for giving back to the community
The circle — USC faculty and staff members who pledged at least 1% of their salaries to the university’s Good Neighbors Campaign — has helped nonprofits stay up and running during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through photojournalism, young women document injustices and reasons for hope in L.A.
Partly funded by a grant from the USC Good Neighbors Campaign, the Digital Promotoras program helps students tell the local stories that matter to them.
Good Neighbors Campaign awards $1.3 million to community programs combating COVID-19
The grants support local nonprofits and programs focused on food and housing insecurity, along with closing the digital divide for remote learning students.
St. Agnes Catholic Church, with USC help, distributes hope to residents of South L.A.
When the coronavirus hit, neighbors’ need for food donations grew dramatically. So has St. Agnes’ distribution program, which now helps hundreds of families each week.
USC staff members help deliver critical COVID-19 supplies to neighbors in need
The university has partnered with 53 community organizations to distribute more than 7,500 kits full of face masks, antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer to local residents.
USC community fund distributes critical resources to neighbors in need
More than $81,000 has been awarded to community programs that support local families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
USC blood drive collects enough donations to save hundreds of lives
With safety measures in place to protect against COVID-19, the USC Heroes United campaign collected a goal-surpassing 192 units of blood over two days.
Virtual gala celebrates 2020 grads of USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative
This year’s graduates of USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative were recognized for their perseverance during uncertain times; all 94 scholars will be attending college in the fall.
USC’s college access program helps its students transition to distance learning
Through laptops, tablets and instruction from savvy teachers, the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative strives to keep its local scholars engaged and educated during this unprecedented period.