Dear Trojan Community,
I am pleased to share this update on USC’s Culture Journey.
For the past three years, tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff, and administrators have collaborated, contributing to discussions and surveys resulting in the creation of USC’s Six Unifying Values. Together, we are intentionally defining and building an ethical and inclusive culture we can all own.
The 2022 Culture Report I am sharing today demonstrates progress in key priority areas and reflects your commitment to advancing our values and holding ourselves accountable. Most importantly, the critical work highlighted here is brought to life by you – passionate individuals dedicated to making positive changes at USC.
I am grateful to everyone in the Trojan Family who has helped drive this important work. The Culture Council and Working Group on University Culture and its committees – made up of volunteers from our community – deserve special acknowledgement. The Board of Trustees has been steadfast in its support from day one. Our Culture Council co-chairs – Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Equity & Compliance Felicia A. Washington; Vice President of Culture, Ethics and Compliance Stacy Giwa; and Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Christopher Manning – have dedicated themselves to bringing together a team to keep this work front and center.
Our culture shapes our future. Each day, there are countless meaningful conversations and advancements happening in every corner of our university and medical system. Listening to the community, learning from our collective experiences, and centering our Unifying Values are fundamental tenets to building our culture together.
I hope you will take a moment to read the personal stories and reflect on your own experiences. We each play a part in achieving the culture we want. Please get involved by joining the Culture Network, sharing your own story, asking a question, attending an event, or participating in a discussion. Visit the USC Culture Journey website for more information and resources.
Thank you, and Fight On!
Carol L. Folt
President