Personal Development

Supporting the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth, and decision-skills.


Trojan P.O.W.E.R. Programs

The P.O.W.E.R. program is a mandatory lecture series composed of two events that all student-athletes must attend (1 per semester). These lectures feature keynote speakers who discuss issues and topics pertinent to student-athlete such as:
  • Academic Achievement

  • Emotional Health

  • Substance Abuse

  • Diversity

  • Decision Making

  • Leadership
Substance Abuse or Sexual Health and Responsibility will be addressed annually, while topics for the other three P.O.W.E.R. lectures will vary. These lectures are intended to be educational, interactive, and thought-provoking. The hope is that these lectures will inspire self-reflection and be a catalyst or support for conscious decision making, positive action or change.

Men and Women Care Program

On years when Sexual health and Responsibility is not addresses by a P.O.W.E.R program, the Center for Women and Men will conduct interactive workshops with small groups of student-athletes on perventing sexual violence, bystander intervention, avoiding sexual assault, and healthy relationships. Following this presentation, the Health Center will discuss safe sex practices and healthy decision making.

Interactive Alcohol team Meetings

Each year Dr. Robin Scholefield from USC Counseling center meets with teams to discuss myths associated with alcohol use in college and healthy decision making.

Take C.H.A.R.G.E. Workshops
Challenging and Helping Athletes Reach Goals through Education.

Take C.H.A.R.G.E. workshops are voluntary. They are facilitated by SAAS staff, Counseling Center staff, University personnel or experts in that respective field. Similar to the POWER lecture series, these events are opportunities for student-athletes to become further educated on topics and issues that facilitate personal development. Topics include: health and nutrition, how to manage stress and anxiety, study skills, how to apply for a job, internship or graduate school, knowing the business of professional sports, etc. These workshops typically occur one time per month.

Health and Wellness Committee
The purpose of the Health and Wellness committee is to discuss issues and concerns facing student-athletes from all areas (i.e., academics, athletics, emotional health and physical health, etc.) The committee will consist of staff members from various athletic department offices including Life Skills Coordinator, Senior Womens' Administrator, Director of SAAS, Head Athletic Trainer, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, and two Head Coaches, as well as the SAAC President. Meetings will be held one time per month. The goal of the Health and Wellness Committee is to establish a more holistic approach to addressing student-athlete issues, and collaborate departmental efforts to meet student-athlete needs.


Mentor Program
The Mentor Program pairs current student-athletes with former USC student-athletes in an attempt to offer the student emotional support as they navigate through the test and trials of life as a student-athlete at USC. The goal of the program is to couple students with a "neutral" person who has a wealth of life experiences and an objective perspective with hopes that they will develop a long-lasting relationship that inspires personal and professional growth. Past events include motivation speakers, job shadowing, and a life after college panel. For more information on the mentor program contact Maria Juliani at mjuliani@usc.edu

New Student-Athlete Orientation

Each August all incoming USC student-athletes attend a two day orientation designed to familiarize students and their parents with the athletics department services and staff and to educate students on the challenges they will face their first year in college and resources available to assist them manage the transition into life as a student-athlete. Multiple campus departments participate; including the center for Women and Men, Health Center, Counseling Center, and the Office of Student Involvement, so students are not only comfortable utilizing athletic department resources, but are also comfortable accessing services across campus.

Freshmen Life Skills Class: PHED 165

Most first year student-athletes will take PHED165, Freshmen Life Skills, a one unit course, in conjunction with their varsity athletic unit. This course provides students an opportunity to learn about campus life, health and safety resources, career development programs, to discuss their values, and to set goals for their USC career. by the end of the class students are familiar with campus wide programs and have an understanding of opportunities they would like to access while at USC


Spring 09 Syllabus pdf