Thinking Ahead
At USC Dornsife, “What if?” becomes what’s next.
Our researchers take the lead in fields that are just beginning to reveal tremendous promise. By investing in emerging areas of scholarship — from quantum computing to climate change communication to the frameworks for developing ethical A.I. — new possibilities become more than aspirations; they unfold in real-time, right here.
Kiss of Life: Experts Focus on Preserving the Planet
Whether furthering the discussion on negotiating nuclear disarmament or working on biodiversity preservation, USC Dornsife’s cross-disciplinary efforts aim to combat Earth’s greatest threats and protect the planet’s fragile ecosystems.
How the Brain Learns to Care
USC Dornsife psychologists show that empathy can be conditioned through emotional rewards — revealing a surprising path to compassion.
USC Teams Up with ShadeLA Coalition to Cool Los Angeles Ahead of 2028
ShadeLA, a new initiative led by USC Dornsife’s Public Exchange, unites civic, academic and community partners to expand urban tree canopy and shade infrastructure — building lasting heat resilience for Angelenos well beyond 2028.
Curiosity at Work
Stand Out, Together
At USC Dornsife you’ll study the things you love the most. You’ll explore ideas that you’ve never thought about before. You’ll learn how to make sense of the world from all different angles. And, as part of our community, you will help to define a dynamic academic environment focused on improving lives and the world around us.
Meet the Students
USC Dornsife students demonstrate an impressive combination of academic excellence, accomplishment, creativity, and hard work. Each and every student is hand-selected because they bring something special and unique to our community.
A Brighter Future
Isabella Pangilinan Environmental Studies majorUSC Dornsife student Isabella Pangilinan is passionate about finding solutions to some of our world’s most pressing challenges. The multidisciplinary courses offered through her major are preparing her for a career in environmental law.
The Power of “And”
Joshua Senior Biological Sciences major, East Asian Languages and Cultures minorUSC Dornsife student Joshua Senior is studying to become a neurosurgeon. He explains how his liberal arts education at USC Dornsife prepares him for his career goals – and for life.
A Trojan Family Like No Other
Victoria Quon-Chow Human Biology major, Nutrition and Health Promotion minorAs a student at USC Dornsife, Victoria Quon-Chow is bouyed by the support of the Trojan Family as she prepares to become a doctor.
Unprecedented Access to Academic Expertise
Public Exchange fast-tracks collaboration between academic researchers and the public and private sectors to define, analyze, and solve complex problems that organizations face. Through our first-of-kind model, we amplify social impact by making academic expertise more easily accessible than ever before.
Stand Out With Purpose
Life, in all its forms, has fascinated us from the beginning. Our relentless curiosity has driven inquiry across centuries — not to pin life down, but to follow where it leads.
At USC Dornsife, this pursuit takes us everywhere.
USC Dornsife
Inspire the next generation of Trojans! The Dornsife Alumni Mentorship Program returns this fall.
You don’t need prior experience, just the heart to show up.
Runs Oct. 8 – Feb. 25 (with winter break to recharge).
Sign up in 2 steps:
1️⃣ Join the Trojan Network → https://usc.peoplegrove.com/
2️⃣ Go to “Programs” → Dornsife Alumni Mentorship Program
