Diversity and Inclusion
At USC, we are dedicated to the fundamental principles of equality and inclusion, education and discovery for the good of humanity. At its core, USC believes students pursue education so that they can go out and reshape the world. The Trojan Family is lifelong and worldwide, committed to creating increasingly diverse leaders needed in the 21st century. It will be there for you, lifelong and worldwide.
We have developed many resources to help you throughout your journey.
Diversity Recruitment Leaders
Diversity Recruitment Leaders are current USC students who are excited to share their USC experience with you! They are a great resource for learning about student life at USC , more importantly, finding community on campus.
Amia Roach-Valandra
Major: Health and Human Sciences
Minor: Public Health
Hometown: Rosebud, South Dakota
Bio: Hau. Mitakuypi Wanblí Wiyuškí Win (Happy Eagle Woman), emaciyapi ksto. Naha iyuha cante wasteya nape ciuzape ksto. My Lakota name is Happy Eagle Woman. I grew up on the Rosebud Reservation and am enrolled in the Sioux Tribe. In addition to being a Diversity Recruitment Leader, I am the Co-Director of Cultural and Community Outreach for the Native American Student Assembly.
Annmarie Easy
Major: Political Science (emphasis in Cross-Regional Politics)
Minors: International Policy and Management; East Asian Languages and Cultures
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Bio: I am both a first-generation student and first-generation American (my mother is from Ghana and my father is from Jamaica). When I’m not in class, you’ll find me doing work in the Undergraduate Student Government Office as the Co-Executive Director for the Black Student Assembly.
Emily Mojica
Majors: Computer Science; Business Administration
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
Bio: I am a Campus Leader at Apple and President of the USC chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. I am also a marketing intern at USC Athletics, where I work closely with our football, soccer, volleyball, baseball and basketball teams.
Learn More…
If you have any questions about student life, please email USCDRL@usc.edu and one of our DRLs will respond.
EVENTS
Native American Prospective Student Webinar
(Virtual)
Join the USC Office of Admission, members of the Native American Student Assembly and other Native American Trojans for a conversation about the Trojan Experience! Get your questions ready. We want to help you learn about your next steps for applying to USC and what it’s like to be a member of the USC Trojan Family.
Dates and details are forthcoming.
I AM First: How to Apply to USC as a First-Generation College Student
In this webinar, students will have the opportunity to learn about the admission process with language and tips that are specifically geared toward first-generation college students. A first-generation student panel will also share their USC experiences. The program will end with breakout rooms so students can have their questions answered by admission counselors.
Dates and details are forthcoming.
Unveiling Self and Character: Your Guide to the Common Application
Presented by the Multicultural Committee, this interactive program takes place before our Discover USC presentation and is designed for underrepresented students and students who may have limited experience with the college application process. The featured activity will invite you to examine and discuss all the parts of a mock college application and why they matter. You will have a better understanding of how the parts of an application come together to help admission counselors learn the most about you.
In select cities: Houston, Dallas, Santa Clara, New York City, Chicago, Atlanta
Learn more about this event and our off-campus Discover USC programs.
Student Equity and Inclusion Programs (SEIP)
Our Student Equity and Inclusion Programs provide safe and supportive spaces to explore culture and identity and engage with others who share your perspective. They can also connect you with key resources to help you navigate the college experience.
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Established in 1982, APASS provides programs, services and resources for students who identify as Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA). It facilitates APIDA student participation, dialogue, community building and empowerment, and serves as a source of cross-cultural educational programming for the entire campus. Its unique learning opportunities include mentorship, leadership development, advocacy and community involvement.
Location: Student Union, STU 410
Living Learning Communities: APIDA Leaders Community in Birnkrant Residential College -
Established in 1977, CBCSA provides intentional, holistic, scholarly and co-curricular programming designed to strengthen the understanding of Black Diasporic heritage. It strives to create a community that focuses on Black excellence through the following six pillars of success: Cultural Investment, Community Building and Engagement, Collaborative Partnerships, Social and Professional Development, Student Empowerment and Student Wellness.
Location: Student Union, STU 100
Living Learning Communities: Somerville Place in Pardee Tower -
FG+SC serves as a resource hub for current first-generation, undocumented, transfer and former foster youth students as they navigate campus. Its mission is to cultivate a sense of belonging and a culture of holistic well-being through intentional mentorship, supportive services and leadership opportunities.
Location: Tutor Campus Center, TCC 224
Living Learning Communities: First Generation Plus in Birnkrant Residential College -
Established in 1972, La CASA provides empowerment through cultural identity, leadership and social consciousness development, as well as community building for undergraduate and graduate students at USC. La CASA strives to educate the campus about Latinx issues and the ethnic diversity represented within the community (such as Central and South America, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico) by offering programs and services that focus on intersectionality.
Location: Student Union, STU 402
Living Learning Communities: Latinx/e in Pardee Tower -
The LGBTQ+ Student Center is a cultural advocacy center that provides support, education, advocacy and community for all undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Southern California, with an emphasis on students across the spectra of gender and sexuality. In collaboration with Student Equity and Inclusion Programs (SEIP) and other university partners, LGBTQ+SC creates programming that serves the multiple intersections of identities within the diverse LGBTQ+ community. It is committed to fostering intentional identity development and leadership development for USC students.
Location: Student Union, STU 415
Living Learning Communities: Rainbow Floor in Century Apartments -
NASA is a cultural and educational organization for self-identifying American Indian students, as well as any other student or community member interested in American Indian issues and culture. NASA is dedicated to building a community among its members and to enriching the diversity of the USC campus.
Location: Student Union, STU 405
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The Student Basic Needs department fosters a culture of holistic well-being for students by helping to eliminate life barriers—such as food and housing insecurity and other economic injustices—that may jeopardize academic and personal success. It connects students to campus and community resources, helps streamline communication with campus partners and develops its own initiatives to further support students.
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The VRC is committed to supporting the individual and academic success of veterans, service members and their families—by assisting with enrollment, creating intentional veteran-focused programming, connecting students to on-campus services and supporting career development.
Location: Tutor Campus Center, TCC 330
Veterans Resource Center (VRC)
Black and Latinx Students
Want to hear from some of our alumni within both the Black Alumni Association and the Latino Alumni Association about their experience as part of the Trojan Family? Check out these interviews.
Find Your Community
There are so many ways to find your community at USC. Here’s just a small sample of the 1,000+ clubs and organizations available at USC:
Admission Blog
Check out our Admission Blog for posts written by current staff and students
who share their perspectives on diversity and inclusion at USC.