Category Archives: Campus Resources

Online Master of Studies in Law (MSL) Info Session – October 11th

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USC Gould School of Law is hosting an on-campus information session on Wednesday, October 11th and a webinar on Thursday, November 9th to share more about the Master of Studies in Law (MSL), a degree intended for seasoned and early-career non-lawyer professionals who would like to build their expertise in legal responsibilities and issues related to their work.  The flexibility and convenience of this master’s degree allows students to complete their coursework in as few as three semesters.  Both our on-campus information session and webinar will provide an overview of USC Gould, curriculum, application process and the online learning experience.

 

On-Campus Information Session

Wednesday, October 11, 2017 | 6:00-7:30pm (Pacific Time)

Amy King Dundon-Berchtold University Club of USC

Click here to register for the information session.

 

Webinar Online Event

Thursday, November 9, 2017 | 5:30-6:30pm (Pacific Time)

Click here to register for the webinar.

University Resources for Academic Success

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October 4, 2017

Dear graduate students,

As we approach the middle of the fall semester, I hope you find yourself learning and growing from your experience at USC, both inside and outside the classroom and laboratory.

While the administrators and faculty want to see all of our graduate students perform well academically and professionally, we also want to remind you of the importance of performing with integrity.  Each of you has the responsibility for creating and maintaining a personal and academic environment in which honesty and ethical behavior flourish.

To ensure your success, we strongly encourage you to do the following:

  • Speak with your faculty members to understand the expectations of the classroom, the laboratory, and your profession.  Always ask for clarification if you are unsure of how to proceed with an assignment or task.
  • Review the Student Code of Conduct and the Academic Policies in SCampus to understand your rights and responsibilities as a student at USC.  Please note that grade disputes and academic integrity violations will be managed by faculty and administrators within your School.
  • Ask for assistance if you are feeling overwhelmed.  Do not be tempted to act unethically if you are struggling academically or personally.  Please contact us so we can help you identify appropriate resources on campus: https://studentaffairs.usc.edu/ssa/ssa-contact/.

Best of luck this fall semester, and be well.

Sincerely,

Ainsley Carry, Ed.D., MBA                                                        Sally Pratt

Vice President for Student Affairs                                          Vice Provost for Graduate Programs

 

USC Rossier unveils 2017-18 lecture series speakers

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USC Rossier unveils 2017-18 lecture series speakers

October 4, 2017

The USC Rossier School of Education returns its annual research lecture series beginning this November, hosting six scholars who specialize in diversity and equity in education. For the second year in a row, all speakers are scholars of color, bringing expertise on social-emotional learning, socializing and curricular reform, among many others topics.

All lectures take place on the University Park Campus at noon, and will be livestreamed through the USC Rossier Facebook page.

Tressie McMillan Cottom
Tressie McMillan Cottom
Virginia Commonwealth University
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017Tressie McMillan Cottom is an assistant professor of sociology. Her book, Lower Ed: The Troubling Rise of For-Profit Colleges in the New Economy(2017, The New Press) has received national and international acclaim. Cottom publishes widely on issues of inequality, work, higher education and technology.

Huriya Jabbar
Huriya Jabbar
University of Texas Austin
Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018Huriya Jabbar is an assistant professor in the Educational Policy and Planning program in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. Her research examines the social and political dimensions of market-based reforms and privatization in education, including school choice and decision-making in K-12 and higher education contexts.

Terrance Green
Terrance Green
University of Texas at Austin
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018Terrance L. Green is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. His research focuses on the nexus of urban school reform and socially just community development with a particular focus on school and community leaders. Green’s scholarship also examines issues of geography of educational opportunity for children of color from low-income backgrounds.

Fantasy Lozada
Fantasy Lozada
Virginia Commonwealth University
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018Fantasy Lozada is an assistant professor of developmental psychology whose research takes into consideration how cultural-related beliefs (i.e., beliefs about emotion, race, and discrimination) and race-related experiences (i.e., racial identity, discrimination and socialization) impact social-emotional competence among ethnic minority youth.

DeLeon Gray
DeLeon Gray
NC State University
Wednesday, March 7, 2018DeLeon Gray is an assistant professor of educational psychology. His research examines how adolescents and emerging adults perceive and interpret their social encounters in achievement contexts, and whether these mental representations account for their achievement beliefs and behaviors. His work includes investigations highlighting the role of social identity processes in achievement contexts, particularly in terms of students’ strivings to “stand out” and “fit in” within their peer circles, as well as understanding students’ judgments about socializers (e.g., teachers, parents and mentors), and students’ interpretations of the messages that these socializers convey about scholastic achievement.

Kalena Cortes
Kalena Cortes
Texas A&M University
Wednesday, April 11, 2018Kalena Cortes is an associate professor at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, and is a Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a Research Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA). Her research focuses on policies relating to curriculum reform, diversity in higher education, post-secondary returns to education and educational achievement of immigrant children in the United States.

The 2017-2018 Research/Equity Series is sponsored by the USC Rossier Research Office. Any questions can be addressed to Deb Karpman, Assistant Dean for Research at dkarpman@rossier.usc.edu.

Free tickets! An Octoroon Saturday, September 30 @ 2:30 p.m.

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Hello Rossier students,

Faculty affiliate of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice Professor Anita Dashiell-Sparks is directing An Octoroon written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins for USC School of Dramatic Arts this weekend at the McClintock Theatre on campus. Professor Darnell Cole has 9 pre-paid tickets available to offer to students for the show on Saturday, September 30, at 2:30 p.m.

Please sign up on this Google spreadsheet if you are interested in attending – first come, first serve: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fjQ6tDL01NwoGEPn6TjAfnosCrqnXYupmEOKGkw9mbY/edit?usp=sharing. If you are the first 9 to sign up on this google spreadsheet, you are confirmed a spot and you can pick up your tickets from Dr. Cole right before the play at the theater. He will be arriving earlier to the theater.

Information on the play:

Playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a provocative new voice in American theatre, brings a radical, incendiary and subversively funny riff on Dion Boucicault’s once-popular 1859 mustache-twirling melodrama. This Obie Award-winning hall of mirrors skewers outdated sensibilities about race and narrative with acerbic humor and spectacular theatricality. An Octoroon is “this decade’s most eloquent theatrical statement on race in America today.” – The New York Times

Thank you so much for your time!

Best,

Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice

USC Rossier School of Education, WPH 1003

Visit our website: socialjustice.usc.edu 

Message from Dean Gallagher on DACA and Title IX Information and Resources

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Dear USC Rossier Faculty, Staff and Students,

Over the past several weeks, we have witnessed the impact that national events and potential policy changes can have on the students we serve as well as on our own well-being as faculty members and educational professionals.

The announcements to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) without congressional resolution and to begin changes to Title IX policy followed quickly after the events of Charlottesville; we all feel overwhelmed processing these events on a personal level while remaining effective and present in our professional lives.

First of all, I want to encourage any DACA students with questions or concerns to contact Darline Robles, Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion, or Kristan Venegas, Assistant Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Evaluation. There is funding available for DACA renewal, and they can describe the process to you.

I believe it is critical to add our voices of solidarity and opposition in times like these, and I commend those of you in the Rossier community who have spoken out, written letters, attended marches, organized meetings or simply engaged honestly with one another in and outside of the classroom. These efforts are particularly important to me because our actions during these times are just as valuable as our words.

I encourage all of you to bookmark and reread the recent messages from USC President Max Nikias and Provost Michael Quick on DACA, naturalization and Title IX:

·        Memorandum from USC Provost Michael Quick to USC students, faculty, staff and USC community about DACA resources available on campus, Aug. 28

 

These messages contain links to many resources, including information about free USC-based legal services, clarity on the rule of law related to Title IX and access to mental health services. DACA and Title IX present complex challenges that are distinct from one another, and we need to be especially vigilant in addressing the specific needs of those affected

I want to highlight some of the important work of our school community in addressing the many issues we are grappling with on a daily basis.

On Friday, Sept. 8, I attended the inaugural event of the Center for Education, Identity and Social Justice, co-directed by Shafiqa Ahmadi and Darnell Cole. Their summit on de-institutionalizing Islamophobia on college campuses featured panels presented against the backdrop of the Muslim travel bans set in motion earlier this year. Panelists included legal scholars and other experts—all of them immigrant Muslim women—speaking about their work in challenging policy through rigorous scholarship and appeals to the rule of law. This event was booked to capacity and welcomed attendees that represented 20 institutions from throughout the country. I was impressed and encouraged by the number of higher education professionals in the audience who I knew would be taking this knowledge back to their colleges and universities.

Last week, our Pullias Center for Higher Education hosted their final event to summarize a year-long set of meetings called “Dialogues on Campus as Sanctuary.” The result of these gatherings is a series of policy briefs offering guidance for college and universities and federal and state policy-makers.

What also became clear at that meeting is that USC Rossier, like other schools and departments on campus, needs to become more systematic about sharing information related to equity and inclusion. Starting in October, we will send an update on Rossier events and resources related to equity and diversity on a monthly basis.

I am conscious of the additional emotional and mental labor of this work, but I am encouraged by the cohesion and spirit of collaboration in our school community during these challenging times. I will continue to share resources in response to events and issues that impact our school community as well.

We are going to have moments that give us hope and other moments that will challenge our hope, but we have to remember we are always trying to move forward.

I am grateful to all of you who are engaging in this critical equity work.

Please continue to share information and support with one another.

And as always, Fight On!

 

Sincerely,

Karen Symms Gallagher, Ph.D.

 

Emery Stoops and Joyce King Stoops Dean

USC Rossier School of Education

Waite Phillips Hall

Los Angeles, CA  90089-0031

Asst: hardison@usc.edu

213.740.5756 (office)

213.821.2158 (fax)

 

 

 

 

Graduate School Hosts Thesis Center Information Sessions

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Good afternoon,

I will be hosting Thesis Center information Sessions for students who are submitting their thesis or dissertation. The sessions will be about 50 minutes long. Advisors and faculty are welcome and encouraged to attend.

There will be one session on University Park Campus, and one session on Health Sciences Campus:

  • UPC: Wednesday September 27thst, 2017 @ 12:00, in THH 201
  • HSC: Wednesday October 4th, 2017 @12:00, in MCH 156

Topics will include important information for both students and advisors, such as:

  • Thesis Center navigation
  • submission deadlines
  • required documentation
  • Finalizing publishing information with the USC Digital Library

Please pass this incredibly valuable information along to your students and faculty! There will be an opportunity for questions following the presentation. These dates and times will also be listed in myGradSchool for reference. Hope to see you there!

Fight On!

Samuel Mantell

Academic Services Coordinator

The Graduate School

Office of the Provost

University of Southern California

3601 Trousdale Pkwy, STU 301N

Los Angeles, CA 90089-1695

(213) 740-9033

http://www.usc.edu/schools/GraduateSchool

 

DSC Weekend Writing Workshops

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Weekend Writing Workshops

All doctoral students are welcome to attend Weekend Writes as we support students in all phases of the program.  These workshops provide students the opportunity to commit to writing and have an advisor available to assist with questions regarding academic writing or the dissertation process. There is no cost for attending. Students are encouraged to develop individual writing goals and plans. You can attend as an individual or a writing group.  Bring your laptop, work materials (and ear buds) and go to work. Remember to bring your Student ID to access the building. RSVP at  http://www.doodle.com/mugk5tkh98nmz3m5 

Fall 2017 Weekend Writes

Saturday, Sept 23, 9 am – 4 pm, UPC WPH 601
Sunday, Sept 24, 9 am – 4 pm, UPC WPH 601

Saturday, Oct  21, 9 am – 4 pm, UPC WPH 601
Sunday, Oct 22, 9 am – 4 pm, UPC WPH 601

Saturday, Nov 11, 9 am – 4 pm, UPC WPH 601
Sunday,  Nov 12, 9 am – 4 pm, UPC WPH 601

Saturday, Dec 2, 9 am – 4 pm, USC Orange County Campus
Sunday, Dec 3, 10 am – 5 pm, USC Orange County Campus

This is a great opportunity to focus and get done!   I look forward to working with you soon.

Write On and Fight On!

Dr. Evelyn Felina Castillo
efelina@usc.edu
(213) 740-3845

Equifax Information Security Breach

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Dear Trojan Community,

Equifax—one of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies in the United States—has reported a major security breach that may have exposed the personal information of up to 143 million people. Compromised information may include names, social security numbers, birth dates, addresses, and some driver’s license numbers, as well as about 209,000 credit card numbers and about 182,000 dispute documents that may include personally identifiable information.

The Office of the Chief Information Security Officer would like to share the following tips on how to protect yourselves:

  1. Assume you are affected. Equifax and other credit reporting companies can collect information about you from credit card companies, banks, or other financial institutions without your knowledge.
  2. Freeze your credit reports with all three major credit reporting companies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Credit Freeze FAQ page for guidance on how to freeze your credit.
  3. Set fraud alerts with all three agencies. For guidance on how to set fraud alerts, visit the Federal Trade Commission’s Place a Fraud Alert page.
  4. Monitor activity on your credit accounts and reports carefully. Consider checking your credit rating regularly by asking for free credit reports from your bank or other credit service companies. Please note that while Equifax is offering free credit monitoring for those affected by this breach, there are reports (not confirmed by USC) that you may be opting out of your ability to join any class action lawsuits against the company if you sign up for Equifax’s credit monitoring.
  5. Be aware of tax return fraud. Criminals sometimes use stolen social security numbers and other personal information to file fraudulent tax returns and redirect tax refunds to their own accounts. For more information on how to protect yourself, see the Internal Revenue Service’s Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft.

As this is a major and well-publicized breach, identity thieves and other criminals are likely to send out phish emails appearing to come from Equifax or other credit reporting agencies. It is important that you do not click links in any emails asking for your personal information or login details, no matter how legitimate the emails may appear. Instead, open a new browser window, navigate to the company’s website by manually typing its official URL in the location bar, and conduct any required business there.

Please forward any suspicious email to the Information Security Office at security@usc.edu.

Sincerely,

Gus Anagnos

Chief Information Security Officer

University of Southern California

WEBINAR: Organize Your Research with Citation Managers

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WEBINAR: Organize Your Research with Citation Managers

https://libraries.usc.edu/events/webinar-organize-your-research-citation-managers

When: Tuesday, September 19, 2017, 3:00pm – 4:30pm

Location: ONLINE

RSVP: bit.ly/cite919 by Sept. 18

Citation managers help you keep track of your research by collecting and organizing citations, and creating bibliographies. So how do you pick the best citation management software for your research? There are many factors to consider including functionality, cost, and accessibility. Come learn all about the citation managers, Refworks, Mendeley, and Zotero, and choose the best tool for your research.

Presented by:

Alyssa Brissett, Social Work Librarian

Dr. Zoe Pettway Unno, Head, Science & Engineering Library

Melanee Vicedo, Head, Education and Social Work Library Services

Stacy Williams, Head, Architecture and Fine Arts Library

For more information on USC Libraries events, please go to: https://libraries.usc.edu/events

Using NVivo as a Research Tool webinar

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You are invited to the upcoming Using NVivo as a Research Tool webinar.  This free webinar will provide an overview demonstration of key functionality of NVivo software for qualitative research.  Topics to be covered in the webinar include:

  • Visualizations (coding stripes, charts, word trees, word clouds, mind maps, hierarchical charts, sociograms)
  • Queries (text search, word frequency, matrix coding, coding comparison, automated insights)
  • Data types (surveys, images, audio, video, text, social media)
  • Social Network Analysis
  • Automated Insights to identify themes and sentiment

Please join this webinar to learn how NVivo software can help you take your research to the next level.

Date:  Thursday, September 28, 2017

Time:  3:00 PM EDT

Please use the link below to register in advance:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7850538696405216258