A Vibrant Mosaic

Everyone Belongs and Everything Is Possible

At USC Dornsife, your unique identity is not only accepted — it’s celebrated. Each person adds their own vibrant hue to the tapestry of the community. Here, belonging is not about conformity — it’s about embracing our differences and using this new, powerful perspective to understand the world more deeply. It’s about forging a community that thrives on diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and dreams. And together, we leverage our collective strengths in the pursuit of equity, representation, and inclusion by identifying and removing relational, structural, and cultural barriers.

An illustrated graphic featuring a multicolored tapestry of leaf shapes

What Makes Our Community Strong?

We’re Welcoming

At USC Dornsife, we are not content to provide a safe space for everyone. Within that space, we invite each individual to contribute their own voice — and we are committed to listening. We celebrate our successes together and support one another when times are tough. And we believe that every individual belongs here, drawing energy from opportunities to genuinely get to know one another.

A group of students wearing USC crimson and posing for photo in dorm lounge

We’re Fearlessly Curious

Conversations across boundaries — whether delightful or vexing — spark new ways of thinking about ourselves, our relationships, and the world we live in together. Because curiosity is the key to creativity, we aren’t afraid to ask more questions than we answer and to reflect on challenging ideas as a means to grow.

Students and professor in lab wearing white lab coats and examining a specimen

We’re Engaged (and Engaging) Citizens of the World

We’re locally conscious and globally minded. We’re individuals whose talents and backgrounds — brought together — form a vibrant community that is excited to have a positive impact on the world. We are impatient to solve problems — yet we are careful to approach issues with compassion and a commitment to inclusion.

A USC student interviewing Uzbek political prisoners

We’re Also Totally Los Angeles

We live and collaborate in one of the world’s most dynamic, diverse, and (sometimes) mind-bending cities. We draw strength from the complex cultures, geographies, and lived experiences that define L.A. Wild food, wildlife, wild ideas, you name it — our city is is constantly reshaped by open minds and uncommon ambition. So are we.

A group of yoga students meditating on a beach in Tulum

We’re Different By Design

Our community didn’t just evolve on a whim — ideas were challenged, inspired, modernized, and made more relevant by each new generation of students, scholars, thinkers, and artists. We’re not “read-only” — we update, we revise, we grow stronger every day.

A group of people pose for camera in front of brick edifice with signage Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow Center for International Affairs

DEIB Programs & Initiatives

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program

The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) Program is the centerpiece of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s initiative to increase the commitment to diversity in the faculty ranks of colleges and universities. Fellowships provide support and mentorship to highly qualified underrepresented undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing a PhD in fields where diversity has not been historically present.

Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)

The WiSE program is a groundbreaking effort to increase the representation and success of women in science and engineering at USC through a series of creative programs that enable women to thrive at every stage of their careers.

Committed to developing fresh approaches to policies and to building a supportive environment for both women and men, the WiSE program is driving USC to the leading edge of diversity in science and engineering.

Visit WiSE

Fisher Fellows Program

The USC Dornsife Fisher Fellowship enables first generation students with financial need to participate more fully in the co-curricular opportunities that enrich one’s USC education and professional development. Students selected for this Fellowship are eligible to receive up to $10,000 over three years. They can put these funds toward international travel, field research, internships, and academic conferences in exchange for participation and leadership in service projects benefiting other first-generation USC students and underrepresented groups in the surrounding community.

Visit the Fisher Fellows Program

Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American scientists – from college students to professionals – to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science. However, anyone is welcome to join and our main goal is to support science amongst students and increase diversity.

Visit SACNAS at USC

An illustration featuring a female scientist with chemical compounds and lab equipment

A group of students gather around an aquarium and gather specimens

colorful disc woven together to create elaborate patterns

First-Gen Spotlight

Ahead of graduation, psychology major Anthony Llamas has some advice for other first-generation students like himself on navigating life’s ups and downs: “You’ll never be alone.”

Read Anthony’s Story