From Disney to Startups and AI, a Designer Makes Her Mark
Photo of Sydney Loew

“I still have that entrepreneurial spirit that I want to unleash. And I’m trying to look at the ‘why’ of what I’m doing and how I can be of service to the utmost point.”

USC Price student is the youngest American woman to summit Everest
Photo of Lucy Westlake with her hands raised
Westlake at the summit (Photo: Lucy Westlake)

“After that mountain, I definitely had a crisis of purpose because I felt I worked so hard for nothing. Life is about the journey, not the destination.”

USC Race and Equity Center seeks to ‘illuminate, disrupt and dismantle’ racism
Photo of Shaun Harper
Shaun Harper, founder and executive director of the USC Race and Equity Center, speaks at the LAUSD Racial Equity Leadership Academy Kick-Off at the Galen Center in 2020. (Photo/Steve Cohn)

“Equality is giving everybody the exact same thing in equal shares, in equal amounts. Equity is giving people what they need and customizing it to meet their needs. It’s understanding the unique context of everyone we work with.”

Trailblazer Julia Ritter strives to make dance a safe space
Photo of USC Dean Julia Ritter
Julia M. Ritter is the dean of the USC Kaufman School of Dance. (Photo/Sandra Nissen)

“It’s incredible to see something have continued relevance, even if there’s still work to do. For me, the arts have always been about progress. The same goes for Title IX.”

After a career in visual arts field, Andrew Freire JD ’23 takes on mantle of immigrant defense
Photo of Andrew Freire
Andrew Freire JD ’23 (Photo by Daniel Tran)

“I’m excited to further develop my advocacy in this field, and I also look forward to engaging more with the visual arts communities I worked with before entering law school.”

Celebrated writer and Distinguished Professor of English elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters
Photo of Percival Everett
Acclaimed writer and USC Dornsife faculty member Percival Everett has been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. (Composite: Letty Avila. Photo: John Davis/Windham-Campbell Prizes)

“I believe that the arts make us better, smarter. I feel fortunate to be able to make a living as an artist and so participate in this ongoing discourse.”

Trojan trailblazer lays the bricks for children’s path to college
Photo of Kim Thomas-Barrios
Kim Thomas-Barrios speaks at the USC Leslie and William McMorrow Neighborhood Academic Initiative Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony at USC. (Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

“How great is it to be able to develop an environment in classrooms that is welcoming, creative, open, hopefully safe — where they can explore their dreams.”

Trojan trailblazer works to make women, LGBTQ+ students feel ‘safe and comfortable’ at veterans center
Photo of Janine Williams
Janine Williams is the USC Veterans Resource Center’s first full-time supervisor. (Photo/Natanael Rodriguez)

“Being able to explore my gender identity without fear of being othered or fear for my job allows me to focus on the work I’m doing for our student populations.”

ISE Award Winner a Fierce Advocate for Mental Health
Photo of Claire Barbrack
Claire Barbrack, Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering Student of the Year Award Winner.(Image/Colin Huang)

“Say yes even when something is uncertain. Some of the best decisions I have made have been the most random. There are so many events and possibilities here, so all you have to do is look for them and give everything a shot to find what you’re truly passionate about.”

USC Price Graduate Uses Real Estate Expertise to Combat Homelessness
Photo of Frank Byrd, USC student
For Executive Master of Urban Planning graduate Frank Byrd, a main draw to the USC online program was its vast network of influential faculty, staff and students. (Photo / Courtesy of Frank Byrd)

“The exposure to the many different things that I could do with that degree beyond just planning, or beyond working specifically in real estate development, set me on a different path. And it can set you on a different path, too, if you’re open and willing to learn and grow.”