USC Student Affairs recently recognized the USC Master of Liberal Studies Student Association (MLSSA) as an official student academic organization of the university. 

“We are excited to have this association to promote a sense of community among those of us in the MLS program and with our faculty, staff, alumni and friends,” said Jennifer Permer, the inaugural MLSSA president. 

Elected with Permer for the 2011-2012 academic year are Jeri Schuessler-Loynachan and Melisa Doyle, co-vice presidents; Mischalgrace Diasanta and Kayla Hengami, co-secretaries; and Lindsey Jones and Darianne Dobbie, co-treasurers.

The MLSSA officers have begun planning social as well as academic activities for the year.  Already they are working with Susan Kamei, director of the Master of Liberal Studies program and advisor to the MLSSA, on plans to host the Joint Graduate Liberal Studies Symposium on the USC campus from June 22-24, 2012. 

“The MLSSA will be integrally involved in the presentation of the symposium, which annually gathers students, alumni and faculty from graduate liberal studies programs in the Western United States and internationally,” said Kamei, who also is associate dean for advanced and professional programs in the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences. 

To get involved in the MLSSA and for more information on upcoming events, contact mlssa@dornsife.usc.edu or visit dornsife.usc.edu/mls/mlssa.