USC Computer Science Student Makes Strides in Queer in AI Movement
Photo of Nathan Dennler
Nathan Dennler is one of 50 international co-authors from Queer in AI were awarded best paper at the ACM Conference on Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency (ACM FACCT) (Photo Levi Zheng).

“Despite the setbacks that often happen, I am hopeful that the future generally gets better. I think it is becoming easier for marginalized communities to participate in AI in general, and I believe that the future will be even more inclusive.”

USC appoints alumna Melissa Just as new dean of libraries
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Melissa Just has been named dean of USC Libraries. (Photo/Michael Maguire)

“Not only are we responsible for collections, spaces and services — the things we are traditionally known for — we are now managing those functions in a constantly evolving environment.”

Stem Cell PhD student Alma Zuniga Munoz wins USC’s first Gilliam Fellowship from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Photo of Alma Zuniga Munoz and Albert Almada
Alma Zuniga Munoz and Albert Almada (Photo / Cristy Lytal)

“[My parents] are very supportive of school, which is great because a lot of families are very traditional, as in they expect a woman to get married, have children, take care of the house. But my parents wanted to break that cycle that they grew up in, and they wanted to empower me to chase whatever dream I had.”

Undergraduate will use rare, prestigious Truman Scholarship to springboard career as civil rights attorney
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USC Dornsife student Michael Solomon encourages undergraduates to apply for the Truman Scholarship. (Photo / Courtesy of Michael Solomon)

“I’m a firm believer in the potential of scholarship and shared knowledge as vehicles for change…Through my organizing work on the issues of school segregation, gun violence and civic engagement, I’ve come to recognize legal advocacy as an imperative avenue for justice.”

USC Dornsife scholar Peggy Kamuf elected to the British Academy
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Peggy Kamuf joined USC Dornsife as a professor of French in 1988. (Photo / Peter Zhaoyu Zhou)

“I’m proud to be recognized by such a prestigious institution. I hope I’ll have the chance to take part in their activities and contribute my expertise.”

USC student is youngest elected official in Los Angeles County
Photo of Triston Ezidore
When he was sworn into office at 19, Triston Ezidore became the youngest person serving in elected office in Los Angeles County. (Photo / Courtesy of Triston Ezidore)

“[Moving around] gave me a bunch of tools that have helped me get to where I am right now. It’s taught me how to meet new people, how to start conversations, how to be in new environments and speak with people for the first time.”

USC Viterbi Student and Air Force Officer Makes Plans to Go to Space
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U.S. Air Force Officer Captain Edward Proulx after his first acrobatic solo in flight school when he was then a marine aviator, 2nd Lt. in Las Cruces, NM. (Photo / Courtesy of Edward Proulx)

“It took me a long time to decide to go back to school because I wanted to be sure that I was really doing something that I loved. It’s all too easy to spend a significant portion of your life doing something you only sort-of like, but don’t truly don’t enjoy.”

First-generation USC student models herself after those who helped her succeed
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Los Angeles native Saianna Smith graduated from USCÕs college access program and is pursuing a masterÕs in educational counseling at USC Rossier. (USC Photo/Eric Lindberg)

“If I wasn’t involved in a college access program like NAI, I don’t think I’d be where I am today. Most of the students who went to my high school didn’t have those same kinds of resources to get to college.”

From USC student to the U.S. Foreign Service
Photo of Betty Thai
Betty Thai is a USC senior studying political science, law and East Asian languages and cultures. (Photo / Courtesy of Betty Thai)

“I realized there is so much more to this world that I want to see and learn about. And I loved living internationally. What career would help me advocate for others and continue learning about new cultures and lifestyles?”

Air Force vet takes his math talents to USC Viterbi
Photo of Matt Mena
Matt Mena joined the U.S Air Force after high school and served as an aviation specialist, troubleshooting and repaired electronics systems for planes. (Photo/Courtesy of Matt Mena)

“I’m a computer science major, and some of those schools can have 1,200 students in some of those classes early on. I didn’t want to deal with that. USC was a better fit in that regard, and the alumni network is strong.”