USC Rossier faculty members Tracy Poon Tambascia EdD and Ruth Chung PhD have been promoted to the rank of Professor of Clinical Education with Distinction, with continuing appointment. Their promotions are effective immediately.
The designation of “with distinction” recognizes sustained excellence in teaching, leadership, scholarship and service, as well as an enduring impact on students, colleagues and the broader field of education.
“I am deeply honored by this recognition,” said Professor Tambascia. “USC Rossier has been my professional home for many years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside colleagues and students who are committed to equity, excellence and the transformative power of education.”
Tambascia, who has worked at USC Rossier for over 17 years, is recognized for her leadership in higher education teaching and learning. Earning her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from USC Rossier, she has played a key role in advancing practice-based preparation and student-centered instruction across the school’s programs. Her work reflects a long-standing commitment to mentorship, inclusive excellence and academic rigor. Last year she was named the Veronica and David Hagen Chair in Women’s Leadership.
“This promotion reflects the relationships and community that have sustained my work at USC Rossier,” said Professor Chung, who has been teaching at USC Rossier for 30 years. She is recognized for her leadership in developing an innovative doctoral program in Mental Health Leadership, the first program of its kind, and having co-led the Marriage and Family Therapy program during its formative years of growth.
Ruth Chung earned her PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Counseling Psychology and is known for her pioneering research on acculturation and intergenerational conflict in Asian American immigrant families. She combines her research expertise with a passion for teaching research methods to practitioners to enhance their research literacy and and support them in the dissertation process. Chung’s impact in teaching and mentoring students is evident in the number of dissertations supervised across EdD and PhD programs and the recent awarding of the USC Rossier Student Mentoring Award. “Teaching and mentoring future educators and mental health leaders has been a profound privilege, and I am thankful to be part of an institution that seeks to interrogate and challenge systems of inequality that persist in our society.”
The promotions underscore USC Rossier’s commitment to honoring faculty whose careers reflect exceptional teaching, meaningful service and lasting influence on the education profession.
“Tracy and Ruth exemplify the very best of USC Rossier,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “Their decades of commitment to students, innovative teaching and deep service to the university and the profession have shaped generations of educators and leaders. We are proud to recognize their extraordinary contributions.”
