Josh Watson
Josh Watson, a first-year doctoral candidate in educational leadership with a concentration in educational psychology, has been a residence coordinator in New Residential College for four years.
“Josh has taken his personal passion for social justice and service and created a successful proposal to bring a brand new special interest living community called the SCivic Engagement Floor to Troy Hall,” says Matthew Nelson, area director for the Office for Residential Education.
The floor is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors who currently live in TrojanHousing. It fosters public leadership, encourages service in our surrounding neighborhoods and around the world, engages students in learning as a community, and promotes awareness of social issues and taking action toward change.
“Students [living on the floor] work closely with the Joint Education Project, Volunteer Center, Civic and Community Relations and other USC departments on current service activities while also creating new, innovative projects in our local community,” says Matthew.
“I have enjoyed learning from all my colleagues in the Office for Residential Education and working with the incredible student leaders who serve as resident advisors,” says Josh. “Sharing the load as a team striving toward common goals has brought a great sense of accomplishment. The sense of community created here is genuine, and the student conscience for expanding this beyond our borders and into the greater community is growing.”
Josh, who is from Galesburg, Illinois, graduated from Loyola University, Chicago with a bachelor’s degree in political science, communication and peace studies. He earned his master’s degree in educational psychology from USC and is currently working on his doctorate from the USC Rossier School of Education.
In addition to serving as a residence coordinator, Josh also coordinates the 'SC Stories book buying program for local elementary students, represents the community as a member of the Certified Empowerment Congress and has implemented Kids Science Days and Neighborhood Stories projects in the community. He is also a member of MenCARE (Creating Attitudes for Rape Free Environments) and the North Area Neighborhood Development Council. In addition, Josh has served as an Alternative Spring Break advisor and guided a group of undergraduate students on a service trip to a homeless shelter in Salinas, Calif.
Josh will complete his dissertation in May 2009. After graduation, he plans on serving as an educational leader for a government or non-profit organization or for an institute of higher education in an urban setting.