25 for ’25: Our Favorite USC Stories of the Year
National titles. Groundbreaking discoveries. Moving performances. And lifelong memories. All year, Trojans’ tales have kept us inspired; take a look at some of our favorites.
Top Headlines
Trojans have helped bring some of the most memorable holiday classics to life, and they’re still creating new stories that will make lasting memories for years to come.
The holiday special — with no laugh track, low-grade animation and a Bible verse at its heart — seemed destined to fail. USC Marshall’s Stephen Lind explains how it instead became an instant classic.
Among the topics on the dean’s agenda: How the USC School of Dramatic Arts’ curriculum cultivates essential human capabilities that will become increasingly valuable as AI transforms entertainment.
The head of USC’s stem cell program visits Vermont Avenue Elementary with heart in hand — literally.
The Pursuit of Academic Excellence
Through scholarly distinction, award-winning research and student success, USC is advancing excellence across disciplines.
USC Computing Researcher Recognized for Advancing Scientific Workflows
Ewa Deelman from the USC Information Sciences Institute has received a major national award for pioneering innovations in scientific workflow systems. Their work is accelerating complex research across fields from climate modeling to biomedical discovery.
Emerging Scholar at USC Recognized for Excellence in Stem Cell Science
USC PhD student Shuwan Liu was recognized by the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research for outstanding scientific achievement. The honor reflects the strength of USC’s graduate training and the impact of its early-career researchers.
USC Scholar Named to One of the Highest Bodies in Health and Medicine
Darius Lakdawalla has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, recognizing his influential work at the intersection of health economics, policy, and patient outcomes. Election to NAM is among the most significant honors in academic medicine.
Bovard Scholars Initiative Helps Bridge the Opportunity Gap Nationwide
The USC Bovard Scholars program is partnering with schools in rural and small-town communities to provide high-achieving students with admissions support, mentoring, and financial guidance. The initiative strengthens USC’s leadership in educational equity and student success.
A Hub for Innovation: USC to Welcome the National Academy of Inventors in 2026
USC will host the National Academy of Inventors’ annual meeting, spotlighting the university’s leadership in research, discovery, and real-world innovation. The event brings national attention to USC’s role in advancing technologies that shape everyday life.
USC Social Work Faculty Rank Among the World’s Most Influential Scientists
Multiple USC social work researchers have been ranked among the top 2% of scientists worldwide, reflecting their significant contributions to mental health, social policy, and community well-being. The honor highlights USC’s global academic reach across disciplines.
Spotlight: USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
As the longest-standing and largest school of its kind, the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology is a global leader in aging research, policy and practice. Its interdisciplinary programs prepare future leaders to meet the challenges of an aging population through innovation in health care, longevity science and social impact.
Teaching, Learning and Working in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
As AI reshapes how we live and work, USC researchers are studying its real-world impacts and helping teachers, clinicians and professionals use new technologies with purpose, ethics and care.
Designing Safe and Ethical AI Chatbots for Health Care
Rethinking English Teaching for a Digital World
A Real-Time Look at How AI Is Reshaping Work
Around the University
How Nina Simone Changed the World
Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and critic Salamishah Tillet joins Jason King, dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, for a conversation on how Nina Simone changed the world. Held at Newman Recital Hall on USC’s University Park Campus, the discussion explores Simone’s boundary-defying artistry and enduring influence on music, culture and social justice — examining her legacy beyond traditional genre lines.
Free with RSVP. Presented by USC Visions and Voices and the USC Thornton School of Music.
Friday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m.
New Student Convocation
New Student Convocation at the University of Southern California invites incoming Trojans to join the Trojan Family and mark the official start of their academic journey.
Held at the USC Galen Center, this long-standing tradition celebrates community, spirit and the beginning of a transformative chapter in students’ lives.
Friday, Jan. 9, 10 to 11:15 a.m.
