Steven Philp Gives Good Counsel at the Center for Women and Men
"You only have what you give away."
That's the mantra of Steven Philp, a senior majoring in fine arts, creative writing and international relations.
Philp is the men's programs assistant for the USC Center for Women and Men, which provides counseling for survivors of sexual violence. The center also develops educational programming about topics ranging from stalking to harassment to assault and works with a variety of groups on campus.
Philp develops programming and workshops, works with men on gender equality and preventing gender-based harm, and creates most of the center's educational brochures and posters.
"He's really creative artistically," says Todd Henneman, assistant director for the center. "Steven really understands the work of our office and is great at coming up with ideas himself."
Henneman adds that Philip is committed to all social justice causes, which can also be seen in the work he does outside the center.
A fifth generation Trojan, he was a founding member of Beta Theta Pi in 2006. He helped draft large portions of Beta's constitution and served as vice president, scholarship chair and secretary.
"My relatives who came before me were all in the greek system," Philp says. "So there was a little bit of pressure from them to get involved."
Last year, Philip also found time to be the director of the USC Interfaith Council, a forum where students from different religious organizations come together and learn from one another. During his four years of involvement with the council, he's worked to expand its scope and deliver its message to a larger audience.
In addition, Philp interns for Optimist Youth Homes & Family Services, where he helps at-risk teenagers express themselves through art.
"I do group therapy and anger management therapy and also supervise arts and crafts recreation time," he says.
Philp, who is currently applying to Teach for America and plans to pursue a career in social work, comes from a very service-oriented family.
"There is something so intangible but substantial that you gain from service to other people," he says. "For me to be happy and seek happiness in my life, I have to help others obtain their happiness."