June 28, 2024
Dear Trojan Family,
We are excited to share today that USC alumna Erika Jordan will join us as our new associate senior vice president of alumni relations. She will lead the USC Alumni Association (USCAA) with enthusiasm and passion for the Trojan Family.
The coming year marks the beginning of the USC Alumni Association’s second century. It also marks the next chapter in alumni engagement. Under Erika’s leadership, we will continue to foster vibrant alumni relations and celebrate the sense of connection and belonging that defines the most engaged and talented alumni group in the world: the Trojan Family.
Erika previously worked for USC Advancement from 2007-2014, including as director of the USC Marshall School of Business’ alumni association and annual fundraising programs. Since then, she has served in leadership roles at the University of California, Irvine, and Boston University. A thought leader nationwide in her field, Erika was recently appointed president-elect of the Council of Alumni Association Executives (CAAE), an organization for the chief alumni officers representing the world’s leading research universities.
A native Angeleno who grew up in Baldwin Hills, Erika earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Howard University, where she was a member of the women’s softball team. She earned an executive master’s degree in leadership from the USC Price School of Public Policy in 2018.
With her stellar career experience, boundless energy, and deep affection for our university, Erika is certain to excel in her new role. She is a highly accomplished alumna, and we are excited to be able to recruit her back to Los Angeles and USC as a leader for our alumni engagement efforts. To learn more about Erika, please read this story on USC News.
We would also like to extend our special thanks to John Iino, a USC trustee and USC Gould School of Law alumnus who served as interim associate senior vice president of alumni relations for the past six months. His willingness to take on this role as we worked through the transition to this next chapter for the alumni association has been invaluable, and we are confident his efforts will have a lasting effect on USC as we move forward. During his time in this position, he connected with numerous volunteers and alumni on a listening tour, fostered an inclusive work culture for the team, and led the USCAA Transition Task Force. This group of 20 volunteers, representing a wide range of USC constituencies, served as the advisory council to the strategic planning process — and also as the search committee that led to Erika’s appointment. We are grateful for the time and commitment of each of these volunteers. We know John is excited to be returning to the USC Board of Trustees where he has served for nearly two years.
Please join us in welcoming Erika back to USC in a leadership role and in thanking John and all the members of the Transition Task Force for their service to our university.
Fight On!
Carol L. Folt
President
Scott Rabenold
Senior Vice President for University Advancement