A year of impact, innovation and leadership at USC Rossier

Another eventful year at USC Rossier reflected both the urgency of this moment in education and the promise of what’s possible when research, leadership and community are aligned. Across classrooms, conferences and communities, faculty, students and alumni advanced ideas that responded to polarization, inequity and rapid technological change while keeping human connection and public trust at the center. From the pages of USC Rossier Magazine to new degree programs, research breakthroughs and milestone celebrations, the year was defined by action, collaboration and impact.

The Fall/Winter issue of USC Rossier Magazine began the year with a focus on “Rebuilding America’s Trust in Education,” examining solutions to restore public confidence and highlighting how the USC Rossier community is taking action. Featured stories explored the erosion of faith in higher education and underscored why equity is everyone’s responsibility.

In February, USC CANDLE launched an Innovation Lab with the support of a major two-year grant from the Bezos Family Foundation. The Innovation Lab is aimed at transforming education through neuroscience-informed pedagogical innovation. In addition, USC Rossier honored five women leaders in education with endowed chairs, recognizing their groundbreaking contributions to the field.

March featured a new report from the USC EdPolicy Hub and the USC Center for Applied Research that found that while most Americans strongly support civics education, sharp partisan divides still persist in education. These themes of leadership, public trust and research-driven insight were echoed at USC Rossier’s third annual Research for Impact Conference, where more than 70 faculty, staff, students, alumni and research partners presented 40 studies that also featured plenary sessions, a keynote on climate change education and the presentation of a new research award.

In April, education’s power to transform individual lives and shape future generations was a central theme of the 46th Pullias Lecture with keynote speaker SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. That spirit of impact and leadership was echoed across USC Rossier, as Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, professor of education, psychology and neuroscience, was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in recognition of her contributions to advancing knowledge and the public good. The community also honored Mary Andres, who helped to create USC Rossier’s Marriage and Family Therapy program. Over her 25-year career preparing nearly 1,000 therapists for service, Andres reflected on the program’s growth, the challenges ahead for future therapists and a new scholarship established in her honor.

USC Rossier’s May commencement celebrated the Class of 2025 as doctoral and master’s graduates crossed the stage united by a commitment to reimagine education and drive meaningful change in their communities. That same spirit of innovation is showcased in the work of USC Rossier’s educational psychology faculty, whose research from climate change literacy to the implications of artificial intelligence is shaping the science of learning and redefining how teaching and student outcomes can be improved.

In June, USC Rossier Associate Professor of Education Adrian Huerta discussed his academic journey from community college student to newly tenured professor. He shared his experiences and motivations that shaped his career and his commitment to disrupting educational systems through research and community impact. The USC College Advising Corps celebrated its 10th anniversary at Dodger Stadium in a home-run event honoring a decade of advancing college access to local community students.

In July, USC Rossier’s Teaching Outstanding Math to Migrant Youth (TOMMY) program welcomed its inaugural TOMMY cohort. The program offered students immersive experiences in mathematics and college life. As classrooms evolve alongside artificial intelligence, USC Rossier’s Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) educators adapted to AI-powered tools while preserving the human-centered core of language teaching. In its second year, USC Rossier’s Doctor of Education in Mental Health Leadership (MHL online) program continued to address a critical gap in the field by preparing students for impactful leadership roles in mental health education and practice.

USC Rossier launched its new Master of Education in Learning Design with AI and Emerging Technologies (LDAI) online program in August. The new degree prepares professionals to lead instructional design innovation in their professional settings. In addition, USC Rossier merged the Pullias Center for Higher Education and the Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERPP) to create a hub focused on strengthening leadership for postsecondary access, enrollment and student success.

The USC EdPolicy Hub released two studies in September. One study, in a collaboration with the USC Center for Applied Research in Education, highlighted gaps in after-school programming, revealing that while Lynwood, California parents value existing opportunities, they sought more variety, greater accessibility and reliable transportation. The second report examined the governance challenges facing California school boards amid rising political polarization and highlighted the growing need for enhanced preparation and training for board members.

Two new degrees were launched in October. A new online Master of Education in Sports Administration and Leadership (MSAL) degree will prepare people-first leaders for every level of sport. The new Master of Science in Data Science for Learning Applications degree, in collaboration with USC Viterbi, prepares professionals to harness data science in designing smarter, more human-centered learning systems. Both are accepting applications for fall 2026. In addition, a study led by Brendesha Tynes linked online racism to heightened anxiety and depression on Black adolescents.

At the 4th annual Melbo Lecture in November, keynote speaker Kimberly Jenkins Robinson focused on bringing equal educational opportunity to life for students today. In addition, USC Rossier Paula M. Carbone offered tips to incorporate climate change education into current curriculum. Her suggestions can support students in understanding climate change and their role as change agents for social, economic and environmental sustainability.

In December, USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera and Vice Dean Mark Robison discussed how universities must act together to restore America’s faith in education. In addition, USC Rossier faculty looked back at the history of the distrust in education to understand how to reestablish faith.

As USC Rossier looks ahead, the work continues with renewed purpose. The challenges facing education—restoring trust, expanding opportunity and preparing leaders for a rapidly changing world—remain complex, but so does the school’s commitment to meeting them head-on. Building on a year marked by innovation, scholarship and service, USC Rossier moves forward grounded in evidence, guided by values and driven by a shared belief in education’s power to transform lives and strengthen ties with our community.