A grandfather’s love drives Trojan to success
Through 12 years of hard work — first as a participant in USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, then as a USC Roski art student — Dayanara Saucedo kept one special person in mind.
USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative comes back to campus in style
The university’s signature college prep program celebrates its graduates in person for the first time since 2019.
Family’s shared determination creates a path to USC
Ricky Ramiro Jr. — a new graduate of USC’s signature college prep program, the Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative — says his parents’ hard work and sacrifices helped him become a Trojan.
How one Trojan paid it forward all along the path to her USC degree
COMMENCEMENT 2022: Alyssa Young found support from USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative and the Norman Topping Student Aid Fund. She, in turn, helped others find their way.
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.
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.
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.
May the 4th event brings in more than $1 million for USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative
A cavalcade of Star Wars legends — including Luke Skywalker himself — delighted fans while recognizing the efforts of the university’s signature college prep program.
Youngest son aims to be family’s first child with college degree, with some help from USC
Five years ago, Christopher Chavez and his family committed to the university’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a decision that transformed their future.
Unsung heroes keep kids and families together in neighborhoods around USC
As the pandemic began to threaten people’s lives and their livelihoods, USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative staff stepped in to help.
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.
His Journey to USC Started with a Tough Choice
Ivan Garcia is among the first graduates of USC’s expanded college prep program, and now he’s a first-year Trojan. But he almost missed his chance.
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.
Long-aspiring USC student proves that dreams can come true
Emily Suarez decided in fourth grade that she wanted to attend USC. After seven years of hard work and sacrifice in the Neighborhood Academic Initiative program, her plan is becoming a reality.
USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative’s 2020 grads celebrate on Zoom
Even a global pandemic could not stop the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative’s class of 2020 from gathering online to rejoice in their successes.
Pandemic provides soon-to-be Trojan with career path possibilities
Nelson Henriquez Jr., who will graduate from the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative this month, has medicine on his mind.
Neighborhood Academic Initiative students prepare for the next phase of their journey: college
Parents and graduating students from South and East L.A. shared breakfast and reminisced about their seven-year path through USC’s premier college prep program.
Local working families enjoy a holiday meal, thanks to Neighborhood Academic Initiative
To show their appreciation for families in the nearby community, the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative partnered with USC Hospitality to provide a warm holiday dinner.
Gifted middle school students immerse themselves in unique learning experience
The Discovery Project at USC encourages aspiring young scholars to think outside their comfort zone and engage with topics they wouldn’t normally tackle in their teens.
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.
Promising young scholars honored as USC high-school initiative celebrates its latest graduates
More than 1,000 students have now gone through the USC McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative, a seven-year-long pre-college program that helps prepare local students for higher education.
Hit-and-run survivor will make dreams come true by graduating from USC
In March 2018, Kimberly Cuellar was struck by a car and broke her nose; her concussion symptoms lasted for weeks. Now, after recovering and completing her studies without pause, she’s about to make history for her family.