Our Communities
In our shared history with Los Angeles, being a good neighbor has always been a priority. In that, we have founded projects and programs focused on positively affecting the surrounding neighborhoods. We have come together with local residents, community partners, civic leaders and area businesses to engage with our communities on a personal level.
Building Communities the USC Way
At the heart of our university lies a strong passion for fostering connections beyond classrooms and labs. The Trojan spirit flows through every corner of our campus, from neighboring residents, schools, departments and programs, to our caring hospitals and health centers. Together, we create a thriving community that nurtures inspiration and growth.
$35
Million Invested Annually
400+
Community Initiatives
15
Neighborhood Schools Supported
Powered by a Commitment to Community
USC places a high value on being a good neighbor. From helping young people realize their dream of a college education to assisting families with access to health resources, providing small businesses with key resources and more, being a Trojan means being part of a community.
USC in Action
USC University Relations supports and promotes more than 400 community initiatives in our local neighborhoods. Our community-building can be seen at every level of the university, encompassing our research facilities, individual schools, departments, programs, hospitals, health centers and more.
USC Leonard Davis faculty member receives Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star in Aging Research award
The American Federation for Aging Research recognized Bérénice Benayoun for her research.
Fluoride exposure during pregnancy linked to increased risk of childhood neurobehavioral problems
USC researchers conducted the first U.S.-based study examining the link between prenatal fluoride and childhood social, emotional and behavioral functioning.
A new ‘rule of biology’ may have come to light, expanding insight into evolution and aging
Living things usually prefer stability to conserve energy and resources, but instability might also play a vital role, USC Dornsife molecular biologist John Tower says.
U.S. schools are not racially integrated, despite decades of effort
May 17 marks the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. To learn how things have changed — and haven’t — read this piece USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera wrote in 2022.
Graduating engineer’s seeks solutions for global water challenges
COMMENCEMENT: Ana Luiza Behisnelian is using her environmental engineering degree to take on the mission of protecting one of our planet’s most important resources.
Detecting influence campaigns on social media with AI and network science
USC researcher Luca Luceri is co-leading an effort to identify and characterize influence campaigns on social media.
Jazz innovator named USC Thornton artist-in-residence
Acclaimed jazz pianist/composer Gerald Clayton returns to his alma mater as a role model for the next generation.
USC researcher discovers drug that may delay onset of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and treat hydrocephalus
Young-Kwon Hong and his team have developed a drug that can help clear fluid and cellular debris from the brain.
Voters underutilizing free tool to track status of vote-by-mail ballots, USC report finds
Less than one-third of voters used the free BallotTrax tracking tool in 2022, USC Price’s Center for Inclusive Democracy says.
How can we make AI more humanlike — and how far should we go?
Researchers at USC’s Information Sciences Institute are exploring the possibilities of creating chatbots that are more conversational and humanlike.
Programs Snapshot
With a multitude of work that spans schools, storefronts, sidewalks, parks and more, here is just a peek at some ways Trojans work side by side with members of USC’s surrounding community on a daily basis. View more community engagement programs.