Meet Caitlin

(213) 821-6575

dempseyc@usc.edu

LinkedIn

Education

B.A., English Literature ’12, Rhodes College

M.P.A., Nonprofit Management ’22, University of Southern California

Region

San Diego County, Southern States, and Europe

Background

Growing up in New Jersey, I was always enamored with the West Coast. I finally gave in to the decades long pull towards California in 2017 and began working at USC in 2018. I moved over to work on the Dornsife team in 2022 and completed my Master of Public Administration degree from the Sol Price School of Public Policy the same year. As a member of the Dornsife Advancement team, I work with alumni, parents, and friends to engage them in the life of the college and connect their philanthropic passions with the needs of Dornsife.

Why Dornsife?

The liberal arts are a personal passion of mine. I attended a liberal arts college in Memphis, Tennessee and worked in the alumni office for several years before relocating to California. My liberal arts experience impressed upon me the importance of skills such as analytical and critical thinking, writing, leadership, and of course the ability to understand a varying array of points of view. Now more than ever, the liberal arts are critically important. I credit my liberal arts education with shaping how I understand myself in relation to my community and I hope to bring that passion and perspective to my work at Dornsife.

Favorite USC Initiative

The Center for the Political Future is one of my absolute favorite programs at USC. The Center affords our students the opportunity to learn from some of the best political minds of our time while also emboldening the endless potential of our students and the profound impact they will no doubt have on the future of our democracy. Hearing from our students about their experience out on the campaign trail or in the classroom with one of our visiting fellows puts a very fine point on the importance of being an active citizen and how critically important it is to engage and educate the next generation of voters.

Favorite USC Memory

Commencement is already incredibly meaningful but working the 2021 ceremony meant so much more. Watching students come together for a week-long celebration of all they had accomplished in the face of such adversity was deeply moving. Being in the Coliseum was particularly special and, by the end of the week, I could recite President Folt’s remarks by heart!