A Part of the Community
USC is a respectful neighbor and a thoughtful partner, and our research, outreach and policy advice make a difference in the daily lives of people near and far. Whether it’s hosting this weekend’s Los Angeles Times Festival of Books — the nation’s largest literary festival — or helping neighborhood schoolkids, USC is a valued asset to the community.
(USC Photo/Michael Owen Baker)
Top Headlines
USC is the only university on the tour, an exhibition that brings some of America’s most significant founding-era documents to communities around the country.
PODCAST: The president sits down with one of the nation’s leading scholars of early North America to discuss his new book Contested Continent, the deeper forces that shaped the nation’s founding, and the lasting value of studying history.
The two-day festival on the University Park Campus will feature several USC faculty members and students.
The new Early Head Start and Head Start Center expands access to quality early childhood education and support to South L.A. families.
Citizenship in the Community
USC doesn’t take its position as a leading institution in Los Angeles lightly. Every day, Trojans offer a helping hand in countless ways that make our community better, including business advice, health services, financial support and more.
Good Advice from a Good Neighbor
USC experts offer well-considered guidance to help elected officials and other policymakers make decisions that improve their communities.
USC launches first community pharmacy in South Los Angeles with ribbon-cutting ceremony
The new pharmacy and wellness center aims to alleviate a “pharmacy desert” and expand community access to essential medications and health care services.
USC museum among three major L.A. art institutions to celebrate architect Paul R. Williams
The USC Fisher Museum of Art joins the Getty and LACMA in presenting a landmark, multisite exhibition series honoring the groundbreaking architect.
USC and L.A. Metro announce winners of the inaugural Shade Zone Design Competition
As part of ShadeLA, the USC School of Architecture-led competition judged entries from hundreds of students across Los Angeles for the best modular shade design.
Alumna leverages master’s degree to pivot into AI
Victoria Makanjuola planned to build a career in media and the creative industries. Instead, her USC degree let her move into the tech world.
USC dental school taps into AI to help with diagnosis
Faculty members at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC develop three-app system, fueled by a proprietary AI algorithm, to assist clinicians with proper orofacial diagnoses.
Partnerships That Strengthen Communities
Community partnerships across USC connect education, service and research to expand opportunity, support future pathways and strengthen communities in Los Angeles and beyond, from college access and hands-on learning to healing, mentorship and care.
High School Students Get Hands-On Health Care Training at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital hosted 16 students from the USC Bovard Scholars program for a day of hands-on training and career exploration. Students practiced skills including CPR, vascular ultrasound and naloxone administration while getting a behind-the-scenes look at careers in health care.
Math and College Immersion Program Supports First-Generation Students
The USC Rossier School of Education welcomed its first Teaching Outstanding Math to Migrant Youth cohort, bringing more than 70 high school students, all children of migrant farmworkers, to campus for math instruction, mentorship and college immersion. The program was created to build confidence in math and help students see themselves in higher education.
Local Students Explore Biomechanics at USC
The USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy hosted 60 students from Eagle Rock High School and the International School of Los Angeles for National Biomechanics Day. The event introduced students to biokinesiology and physical therapy and offered an early look at fields they may not otherwise encounter in high school.
USC Earns National Honor for Community Engagement
The Association of American Medical Colleges honored the Keck School of Medicine of USC with the Spencer Foreman Award for Outstanding Community Engagement. The recognition reflects the school’s work with Los Angeles communities through outreach, education, service, research and expanded access to clinical care.
USC Alumni Help Monterey Park Move Forward
Two USC Price alumni are supporting Monterey Park’s recovery after the 2023 tragedy through community events, mental health resources and collaboration with local partners. Their efforts include initiatives such as the Electric Park Festival, designed to bring residents together and support healing.
USC Summer Internship Supports Community College Students in STEM
The USC-Cerritos College Summer Research Internship in Sustainability gives community college students paid, full-time research experience at USC. Supported by Agilent Technologies, the program helps many first-generation students build confidence, gain mentorship and pursue STEM pathways.
A Rare Look at America’s Founding Documents
USC Fisher Museum of Art is welcoming the Freedom Plane National Tour, bringing Southern California a rare chance to experience original founding-era documents up close.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. USC is the only university stop on the national tour.
Festival of Books Returns to USC
The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to USC’s University Park Campus on April 18-19 for a two-day literary celebration featuring author talks, book signings, activities and more. Open to the public, it’s a weekend for readers of all ages to discover new books and ideas across the USC campus.
Spotlight: USC Leventhal School of Accounting
A global leader in accounting education, the USC Leventhal School of Accounting combines academic excellence with a forward-looking, industry-connected approach. With top-ranked programs, a close-knit learning environment and deep ties to the business community, Leventhal prepares students with the technical expertise, critical thinking and an ethical foundation to lead across accounting, finance and data-driven industries.
Around the University
Chan Research Spotlight Series
The USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy continues its Spring 2026 Research Spotlight Series, an ongoing initiative designed to foster knowledge sharing and dialogue around current research within the division.
The next session will take place in Center for the Health Professions Building (CHP 109), with a hybrid option available for attendees.
Monday, April 27
12:15 to 1:15 p.m.
