2023 Dornsife Scholar Award Recipients

Major(s): Geological Sciences, Creative Writing

“Dornsife encouraged me to think about education from an interdisciplinary perspective, especially when it came to my interests in natural history, literature and the climate crisis. I took so many classes in various subjects and had the opportunity to major in both sciences and humanities, which worked out really well. I am now working towards becoming a climate communicator, trying to bring together all kinds of disciplines within the environment and sustainability spectrum. I am extremely grateful to the professors at Dornsife for helping me realize my dreams and for giving me so many opportunities and experiences that will always hold a special place in my life.”

Major(s):  Neuroscience

Minor(s):  Medical Anthropology

“The USC Dornsife has provided me with an invaluable interdisciplinary education — filled with knowledge and opportunities to excel academically, personally, and professionally while merging my two passions for neuroscience and medical anthropology. My experiences in Dornsife through my neuroscience coursework and conduction of individual research projects within the Dickman Lab have fueled my intellectual curiosity, as I strive to continue my contributions to the field of neuroscience through research, discovery, science communication, and collaboration. Furthermore, I became enthralled in medical anthropology when examining the larger social, environmental, political, and cultural influences shaping health, illness, and medicine within Dr. Seth Holmes’ anthropology course. By combining both a biological and anthropological lens to medicine, I can help provide multifaceted solutions as a physician to not only contribute to the advancement of biomedicine but fight against social structures, policies, and institutional inequities that prevent patients from achieving well-being and accessing proper care.”

Major(s): Health and Human Sciences

“As a USC Dornsife student, I have been exposed to a wealth of academic and career opportunities that have greatly impacted my personal growth and professional aspirations. Dornsife’s interdisciplinary approach has encouraged me to explore a variety of fields, expanding my knowledge on healthcare, gerontology, and comedy. Additionally, working with Dornsife professors has been amazing, as they are highly knowledgeable and passionate about their fields and are always available to offer guidance and support. The rigorous academic curriculum at USC Dornsife has pushed me to think critically and creatively about integrating new initiatives into healthcare. As a result, I was able to develop ‘Comedy is Remedy: Healing Through Laughter,’ healthcare’s first-ever comedy wellness curriculum. Overall, as a USC Dornsife student, I have gained a strong foundation for my career pursuits and acquired the knowledge and skills to serve my community and make a positive impact in the world.”

Major(s):  Law, History, and Culture

Minor(s):  Psychology

“Being a Dornsife student has genuinely altered my life path. Dornsife offered the ideal major for me in Law, History, and Culture. This major enabled me to explore my diverse interests, including history, medicine, law, and incarceration. Through Dornsife, I had the opportunity to impact change by dedicating myself to a five-semester-long original research project called “Disability At USC: A Compiled History”. This project aims to preserve the historical experiences of individuals with disabilities, recognize USC as a microcosm for the often overlooked disability rights movement, and preserve the legacy of trailblazing disability activist and USC professor Harlan Hahn. Dornsife’s support also allowed my research partner and I to present our findings at the American Society for Legal History in Chicago last November. My Dornsife education has also inspired my future career in law, empowering me to make a difference in the world and become a life-long learner.”

Major(s):  Sociology

Minor(s): Race, Ethnicity and Politics

“As an activist, writer and grassroots organizer, being a Dornsife student has impacted my educational and career choices as it’s given me the space to remain rooted in my activism, to conduct community-based research, and contribute to my overall growth as a scholar. In my role as a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow and Research Assistant at the USC Equity Research Institute through Dornsife, I’ve been equipped to pursue my intended career path as a scholar-activist with critical consciousness and public thought leader in pursuit of a PhD to become a professor, researcher and community educator.”

Major(s):  Philosophy, Linguistics

Minor(s):  French

“Before coming to USC, I told myself that I wanted to study philosophy of language, but I didn’t know what that entailed nor was I entirely sure if that is what I truly wanted. During my time with USC Dornsife, I have had the opportunity to take a wide variety of philosophy, linguistics, and French courses, study philosophy and French abroad at USC Paris, as well as conduct philosophy and linguistics research at the Meaning Lab. All of these experiences have exposed me to what the study of language involves on a day-to-day basis as well as what the contemporary issues are which has motivated me to continue to pursue these fields. Along the way, I also gained a passion for the field of ethics, and so I intend on pursuing ethics, philosophy of language, and their intersection at the graduate level.”

Major(s): Archaeology, Italian

“Dornsife has provided me with the space to grow and explore my identity and my interests while simultaneously creating an outlet within which I could understand my personal beliefs and set them as a foundation for my lifestyle and academic career going forward. From the Thematic Option Honors Program to the USC Archaeology Research Center, my schedule was filled with interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on experience working in a collection and exploring my interests in the field of archaeology. As I look towards graduation and beyond, I am reminded of the wonderful three years that I spent at USC in Dornsife and cannot wait to apply the repertoire of skills and interests I have collected along the way while in graduate school. In the fall, I will start my Masters in Mediterranean Archaeology at La Sapienza University of Rome. Thank you to all my professors, mentors, and peers who have been with me on this journey and have supported me along the way; this is only the beginning. As always, Fight On!”

Major(s): Political Science

“As a senior majoring in Political Science at USC Dornsife, I am proud to say that my experiences at USC have prepared me to make a meaningful difference in the world. Through my coursework, I have had the privilege of engaging with a wide range of political ideas and issues, gaining a multifaceted education that has prepared me to tackle complex problems. As my degree has an emphasis on Applied Politics, I not only learned about political theories and concepts but also put them into practice. Whether through internships, research projects, or policy proposals, I have had the opportunity to apply my education in meaningful ways. Looking to the future, I am excited to continue the work I have started at the undergraduate level. I hope to continue scholarly research on the South Caucasus, specifically in Nagorno-Karabakh.. Through my work, I hope to deepen our understanding of the complex historical, political, and cultural factors that have contributed to the ongoing conflict.”

Major(s): Political Science

Minor(s): Law and Social Justice

“In my time as a Dornsife student, I have learned how to be an effective advocate for my community. Participating in the Dornsife Trial Advocacy and Agents of Change Program has been the highlight of my education at USC. Learning how to be an effective speaker through mock trials, practice advocacy skills in a courtroom, and advocate for disenfranchised individuals in my Dornsife-sponsored internships has been invaluable. Working with practicing attorneys like Professor Orange and Kazemi, the importance of effective advocacy inside and outside of the courtroom has been instilled within me, and I will carry that value throughout my career. Upon graduating from USC, I will be studying for the LSAT and matriculating to law school. It is my dream to become a public defender, and the Donsife Scholar Award is helping to turn that dream into a reality.”

Major(s): Human Biology

Minor(s): Cinematic Arts