A community’s support helps USC student and single mom earn her doctorate
Dezetta Burnett’s hometown of South L.A. has rallied around her as she pursues an advanced degree at USC. She plans to return the favor by advocating for her community.
Your Homework Assignment: Improve Refugees’ Lives
Students get creative with solutions as migrants flee regions in turmoil around the world.
An increasing number of Americans don’t believe in protecting racist speech
USC researchers have found that Americans’ tolerance for harmful and undermining racist speech has declined, particularly among younger people, liberals and the college educated.
As the black church shifts toward gender equality, USC lends faith communities a guiding hand
After the explosive impact of #MeToo, concerns about the #ChurchToo movement have inspired USC Dornsife’s Center for Religion and Civic Culture to assist in reshaping the patriarchal culture of the African American church.
Creating Video Games for Social Good
Video games can influence society for the better, and these USC game creators are trying to do just that.
Occupational therapists find their place in providing health care for the homeless
USC Chan’s Deborah Pitts has worked to integrate occupational therapists into agencies that help the homeless, and her efforts are opening doors to new opportunities.
Trojan wants to bring the lessons of the L.A. Zoo to everyone
Anna Becker fell in love with the zoo as a child. As a member of the Los Angeles Zoo’s education team, she’s working to make its programs more accessible for students throughout the city.
Donation of more than 4,000 books aims to promote literacy in USC’s neighborhood
The books are earmarked for nine schools with K-5 programs within the USC Family of Schools and will be delivered via the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative.
Business or social good? USC student chooses both after graduation
Mounir Ghabrial turned down a lucrative offer from a major consulting firm to join a startup focused on improving access to healthy food in Los Angeles.
USC green team leads Coliseum to zero waste win
The USC Office of Sustainability has been recognized by L.A. County with a Green Leadership Award for making the Coliseum a zero waste facility.
Social work student goes from convicted gang member to community activist
USC MSW student Adrian Reveles has used a past littered with trauma, substance abuse and gang involvement to fuel his new life as a violence prevention activist and homeless youth advocate.
USC graduate students gain deeper understanding of homelessness
A semester-long project at USC Annenberg encourages journalism students to challenge misconceptions about the homeless community.
Lessons the clergy sex abuse crisis can draw from a fourth-century church schism
USC’s Cavan W. Concannon notes that Christian churches in North Africa faced a similar crisis of trust in their leaders — one with implications that lasted for centuries.
Students learn more than writing working alongside former prisoners
A special section of Writing 150 — a course required of freshmen — gives eye-opening perspectives to everyone in the class.
How the ideas of engineers can help the homeless
A provider of homeless services in Los Angeles has an unlikely new partner: the USC Viterbi School of Engineering.
For inmates serving life terms, USC’s Post-Conviction Justice Project sparks hope where none existed
Team including USC law students and legal experts educates and counsels life-term youth offenders about new laws that could mean a second chance.
USC partners with nonprofit to sponsor African-American youth art project
Four commemorative posters reflect the theme of social justice and change.
Examining the link between neighborhoods and schools
USC Dornsife PhD candidate Jennifer Candipan is looking at racial, ethnic and socioeconomic issues and how they can shape a child or contribute to inequality.
Cyntoia Brown receives clemency; she was focus of documentary by USC Annenberg’s Dan Birman
The PBS film Me Facing Life: Cyntoia’s Story recounts Brown’s tragic childhood, running away and being forced into prostitution. In 2004, she was picked up by a man, went to his home and, claiming she feared for her life, shot and killed him.
The 15 most significant social impact films of 2018
The Media Institute for Social Change at the USC School of Cinematic Arts identifies 15 movies that not only entertain but expand our understanding, change our perspective and challenge us to do something.
USC Immigration Expert on the Complex Ties Between Citizens and Noncitizens
An immigration law expert looks at the complex ties that connect citizens and noncitizens in America.
Innovative Real Estate Development Projects Tackle L.A.’s Challenges
When it comes to creating a more affordable, livable Southern California, Trojans are rising to the challenge.
Steps for School Violence Prevention, from USC Experts
As elementary and secondary schools grapple with bullying and violence, USC experts help chart a path forward to make classrooms safer.
Diplomacy through Skateboarding?
USC Annenberg alumnus and lecturer Neftalie Williams uses street culture to break social barriers.