On a lovely summer evening at Dodger Stadium, the USC College Advising Corps (CAC)—a division of the USC Center for Enrollment Research, Policy and Practice (CERPP)—marked a major milestone: its 10th anniversary celebration. Held on June 10, in partnership with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF), the event blended the excitement of America’s pastime with academic inspiration, spotlighting a decade of transformative work guiding students toward higher education. Over 100 current and former USC CAC advisers, advisees, as well as CERPP staff and supporters attended the event.
Since its establishment, USC CAC advisers have directly assisted over 88,000 students with college applications and financial aid assistance—more than can fit in Dodger Stadium. “By 2026, we’ll have helped more students than can fit into the LA Memorial Coliseum,” said USC CAC Program Director Ara Arzumanian EdD ’23 in his opening remarks. The program’s goal is to serve 100,000 students by next year.
“These dedicated individuals—recent college graduates themselves—have become mentors, guides, cheerleaders and sometimes impromptu therapists to their students,” said College Advising Corps Chief Program Officer Cary Claiborne. “As we celebrate this significant milestone, we also look to the future with renewed energy and optimism. The need for college advising has never been more critical than it is today.”
USC CAC, in partnership with LADF, has conducted summer College & Career Accelerator Workshops (CCA) to help students from middle school through college draft their future goals. “At the Los Angeles Dodger Foundation, we believe in the power of education and the power to transform lives and communities,” said LADF Chief Program Officer Rachelle Resnick. Participating students, who are often first-generation college students, engage with USC CAC advisers to learn about the college application process as well as financial aid enrollment, among other skills, throughout the program.
A full-circle moment: Adviser, advisee and alumni
Each year, approximately 400 applicants are interviewed for one of 20 spots in a highly selective cohort of USC CAC advisers. “We firmly believe that the students we serve deserve nothing but the best,” said Arzumanian. He added that USC CAC advisers are “the cream of the crop in education”—selected for their integrity and deep commitment to student success.
Adamaris Figueroa is one shining example. A 2018 graduate of Dominguez Hills High School, she received college advising support from her USC CAC adviser Richard Ramirez, who also attended the anniversary event. “I had an adviser who was with me every single step of the way, uplifting and empowering me to chase after my dreams,” Figueroa said.
She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal State Long Beach in 2022 and returned to her high school alma mater as a USC CAC adviser. Today, she is pursuing her master’s degree in school counseling at Cal State Dominguez Hills—and was recognized at the celebration as USC CAC Adviser of the Year. “This program has changed the trajectory of my life,” she said. “I can’t help but wonder what it has done for all the students we have advised.”
Among those students is Lexahir Herrera, a 2025 Dominguez Hills High School graduate and one of Figueroa’s advisees. “Because of this program and because of my advisers, I got into UC Santa Barbara,” Herrera said. “There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of students like me whose lives have been touched because someone chose to care.”
Figueroa and Herrera’s story reflects a broader mission emphasized by Julie Posselt, executive director of CERPP, who noted that every adviser and advisee has a personal journey—whether striving for college, imagining it or achieving the American dream. “Every one of us has a story,” Posselt said. “We know we want to be a part of closing gaps. We know there is a possibility of extending to somebody else the opportunity that so many of us had.”
Why a decade matters
Since its inception, USC CAC has sought to promote educational equity by reaching students from underserved backgrounds. Over the past ten years, the organization has directly engaged thousands of students—many first in their families to consider college—offering early mentorship that closes opportunity gaps in the Los Angeles area. The milestone event served not just as a celebration of achievements, but as a renewed commitment to mentoring the next generation through accessible, campus-inspired outreach.
What’s next for USC CAC?
Building on the momentum of its anniversary, USC CAC plans to expand its impact with deeper school partnerships, more virtual advising sessions and additional off-site workshops at iconic venues like Dodger Stadium. The goal remains the same: to ensure every LA student has both a dream and a clear path to college.
The USC College Advising Corps’ 10th anniversary at Dodger Stadium was a celebration of educational advocacy—crafting futures one inning at a time. Together, USC CAC and LADF reaffirmed their promise: that through mentorship, community and a shared mission, students can keep knocking their goals out of the park.
Information for those interested in getting involved—either as an adviser or supporter—can be found at USC College Advising Corp.
Julie R. Posselt
- Professor of Education
