Shape the World
- Public Administration
- Public Policy
- Urban Planning
- Real Estate Development
- Health Administration
- International Initiatives
“Our school represents the intersection of the intellectual areas determining the future of our society. SPPD combines different disciplines to approach today’s complex social challenges in a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, solution-oriented way.”
Jack H. Knott, Ph.D.
C. Erwin and Ione L. Piper Dean and Professor of SPPD
“When I think of SPPD students, I think of passion. I’m constantly amazed by their willingness to take chances and to do things to change the world.”
Prof. David Sloane, Ph.D.
Director, Undergraduate Programs
“Our students come to SPPD because they want to change the world. They bring that desire and passion across a variety of issue areas. Our job is to give them the tools to help them.”
Prof. Elizabeth Graddy, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Academic Affairs
“Our students come to SPPD with so many inherent skills and talents. During their time here, they really develop into a community of leaders.”
Dr. Juliet Musso, Associate Professor and Director
Graduate Programs in Public Policy & Management
“Urban planning is about anticipating the future. It is about social equity and environmental justice, community livability, and sustainable development. It aims to improve the community environment and the quality of life in urban places and urbanizing societies.”
Prof. Tridib Banerjee, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Urban Planning
“The U.S. and California healthcare systems evolve constantly to better meet the needs of society, even when faced with significant budget constraints. Our program prepares healthcare administrators to lead their organizations by adopting innovative solutions based on evidence.”
Prof. Mike Nichol, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Health
“SPPD's research allows us to better understand communities and institutions. We apply this knowledge to create vital solutions to real-world problems.”
Prof. Genevieve Giuliano, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Dean for Research and Technology
“Ultimately, we want to ‘bring global home’ in a way that a global perspective is a normal perspective.”
Prof. Eric Heikkila, Ph.D.
Director, SPPD International Initiatives
“In order to be successful, real estate developers need to see the world as it will be, not as it is. The USC MRED program is designed around this principle. The students who do well in our program are the ones who can see both.”
Associate Prof. Christian Redfearn, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Programs in Real Estate
“We develop leaders who lead from their core values, and embrace both the challenge of innovation and of letting go of what’s not working.”
Clinical Prof. Richard Callahan, D.P.A.
Associate Dean and Director of Leadership Programs
SPPD News
Officials Discuss Philanthropic Leadership
February 4, 2010
The Center on Philanthropy and Public Policy at the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development celebrated its 10th anniversary with a forum on "Philanthropic Leadership: Exploring Opportunities in Uncertain Times." More than 200 leaders from the nonprofit sector, government, business and academia attended the two-day conference. The keynote speaker was Sonal Shah, deputy assistant to the U.S. President and director of the White House Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation.