The Ph.D. community at the University of Southern California has a long standing
tradition of diversity. In 1931, USC was the first institution on the West Coast
to confer the doctoral degree on an African American.
A 2006 study published in Diverse Issues in Higher Education, ranked USC first among
members of the American Association of Universities (AAU) in number of doctoral
degrees conferred to African American, Latino and Native American students.
The University is committed to fostering an inclusive community for all graduate
students. The Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Outreach, along with the Graduate
Student in Residence-Diversity Outreach, supports the cultivation of a network of
students, faculty, staff, and resources to achieve excellence through diversity.
