Jessica Downey
Jessica Downey, a first-year postsecondary administration and student affairs (PASA) graduate student, loves “working with students and experiencing new people.” As a counselor for Disability Services and Programs (DSP), she helps students with disabilities get the assistance they need to get through college successfully.
“Jessica has made a great impact by reorganizing the counselors’ office,” says Edward Roth, director of DSP. “She is very positive and punctual and shows great initiative.”
Jessica assists students on a one-on-one basis to help them document their disabilities and receive proper accommodations. She works mainly with students who have learning disabilities, offering more support than services.
“No two people have the same walk of life,” says Jessica. “I love learning about what different people are doing with their time here.”
Jessica is also a member of the PASA Network, the Education Graduate Organization and the board of directors of the Hillel Foundation.
The Venice, California native earned her bachelor’s degree in Jewish studies and a minor in near eastern studies from the University of Arizona.
“Coming from a large Pac-10, spirited university, I expected USC to be similar,” says Jessica. “The Trojan spirit is just so infectious. I love that when I go somewhere wearing my USC sweatshirt, people come up to me and say ‘Fight On!’”
After she graduates in May 2009, Jessica would like to continue working in a disability resources program similar to the one at USC at a two- or four-year college.
“There’s an amazing demand for people in this field,” says Jessica.