Looking back to move forward

As 2023 comes to a close, it is time to reflect on what has shaped USC Rossier’s year. Amidst the unprecedented challenges and unexpected turns, there have been moments of resilience, innovation and unity that have reminded us of the indomitable human spirit. There have been defining events and stories that have left an indelible mark on our school’s history.

Below are highlights from the most viewed stories of 2023:

In January, we spotlighted the work of USC Rossier alumnus James Hu MD, EdD ’21 who turned to USC Rossier’s OCL program to help facilitate systemic change at Keck Medicine and celebrated the seven USC Rossier faculty who were listed among RHSU Edu-Scholar’s public influencers for 2023.

USC Rossier Professor Tracy Poon Tambascia was recognized in February as a USC trailblazer and three USC Rossier alums collaborated with USC scientists to author the book series, STEAM-Powered Careers.

USC Rossier received an unprecedented $11M gift in March that will be felt for generations to come, Professor Mary Helen Immordino-Yang was elected to the National Academy of Education and we hosted our inaugural USC Rossier Research Conference.

In April, Assistant Professor Stephen Aguilar was awarded the prestigious AERA Division C Early Career and AERA Open’s Outstanding Reviewer Awards, USC Rossier’s Master Class for the spring term concluded with a conversation between Professors Gail Sinatra and Shaun Harper to discuss climate and racism denial and the winter/spring issue of USC Rossier Magazine: Research for Equity was published. Topics covered included research-backed methods to tackle COVID-19 learning loss and how educators can best support English Learners.

We celebrated our graduating Class of 2023 in May with our distinguished commencement speakers USC Dornsife Professor Natalia Molina and Princeton Professor Ruha Benjamin.

In June, our professors shared their summer reading lists and a generous multi-million gift was made to support USC Rossier, Keck School of Medicine and USC Caruso Catholic Center.

USC Rossier unveiled a new online Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (PASA online) program and added three new concentrations to the Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (EDL online) program in July. In addition, we upheld our commitment to education equity and student support after the U.S. Supreme Court decision on affirmative action.

In August, USC Rossier Associate Professor Yasemin Copur-Gencturk received a $2M NSF grant to improve math instruction with AI-driven teacher professional development. In addition, recent MAT alumni were recognized as LAUSD 2023 Rookies of the Year.

USC Rossier Professor Brendesha Tynes was named a 2023 American Psychological Association Fellow in September. We also welcomed a number of new faculty, Professors Eric Canny, Associate Professor Huriya Jabbar, Professor Jon Fullerton and Assistant Research Professor Xiao-Fei Yang.

In October, four faculty members received large federal grants for their research, and we explored how school districts are embracing and integrating AI.

In November, Professor Helena Seli discussed her new book that offers students online learning strategies and tips to combat procrastination, and faculty shared what they learned on a trip to Finland to understand the country’s education system.

We launched the fall-winter issue of USC Rossier Magazine: Education in the Age of AI in December. The issue included stories on professor Stephen Aguilar’s research at the new USC Center for Generative AI and Society and the work of MAT-TESOL alumnus Brent Warner. We also mourned the loss of distinguished faculty member John Brooks Slaughter.