Investing and embedding our work in the needs of the community is central to our mission. USC Rossier is building on our rich history of community partnerships to use education as a force for positive change. The Spring/Summer 2022 issue of USC Rossier Magazine explores the wide and varied work—past, present and emerging—of the USC Rossier community in the areas near and around USC.

Styles of leadership and what makes one an effective leader change with the culture and context of the moment. In this issue, we explore what it means to be a good leader in these times. What skills do leaders need to successfully serve their communities, and what are the questions leaders should be asking as we rebuild and revitalize our educational systems to adequately respond to the truths that were elucidated by the pandemic?

In this issue, you will read about how the USC Rossier community is considering the ways education can be re-envisioned and how these transformations can help us work toward our mission of achieving educational equity.

In 2020, the status quo was shaken up, challenged, and, quite possibly, forever altered. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, another crisis—systemic racism and the killing of Black men and women by police—fueled months of protest. This issue considers the macro effects of a microscopic virus and how the demand to end structural racism will require us to reshape education to ensure a more just and equitable future.

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.” President FDR wrote this message to educators in September 1938, during American Education Week. His words were clear: An educated democracy is the only democracy that works.

Students, staff, faculty and friends came together to celebrate the capstone event of USC Rossier’s Centennial Celebration on Aug. 24 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. The interactive exhibits highlighted not only impactful moments and people from the school’s history, but also the current work and experts who will transform education in the next century.

“Teacher” is just one of many roles required of this generation of educators. They have to navigate natural and political forces, find new ways to collaborate, develop novel techniques to engage students and still make time for personal and professional growth.

Insight flows from many sources — from momentous personal and familial histories, from deep commitments to communities and ideals, from decades of professional research and service. At our best, we draw these sources together into a collective vision for the future of education.

Equity is not the same as equality, diversity or inclusiveness. It is not about espousing policies intended to benefit all students. Practices that work well for white students may be harmful to students of color and perpetuate inequality.