Sharon Stewart Director, Community Outreach USC Civic and Community Relations

As director of Community Outreach for USC Civic and Community Relations, Sharon assists in developing community outreach strategies for the office; advises in the development, implementation and documentation of program policies and procedures; assists in researching and identifying community needs; recommends program changes or new programs and services; and assists in the design and delivery of programs, services and special events.

She oversees elements of the USC Family of Schools programs, such as the Programs Task Force, and works closely with Foshay Learning Center, Manual Arts High School, Norwood Street Elementary School and Vermont Avenue Elementary School. She also works with the USC Community Advisory Council and is USC's representative to the North Area Neighborhood Development Council. Sharon's duties also include working with USC professors and staff to broaden and maintain the university's service-learning initiatives.

Stewart started her career at USC in 1998 as a media representative at the News Service. While writing for the staff and faculty newspaper, the Chronicle, Sharon wrote many articles about the partnerships that have developed between the university and the community.

While working as a newspaper reporter at the Press-Telegram in Long Beach and at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colorado, Sharon covered many different beats, including courts, education, and children and families. Her journalism awards include Excellence in Legal Reporting, 1997; Orange County Bar Association; First Place National Press Association Award for Public Journalism, 1998; and Public Communicators of L.A. – Award of Excellence, 2000.