Over the last year, the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy has worked to improve people’s lives around the world. Researchers have informed policies seeking to end lethal diseases, while some students literally save lives on a daily basis, as firefighters. Our alumni, meanwhile, touch the lives of our most vulnerable populations, from helping the homeless to training musicians with autism.
Below are our Top Stories from 2023 that showcase some of the inspiring work our students, faculty and alumni do every day. We are so proud of their achievements and look forward to seeing what they accomplish next year.
Standout Students
- Fearless Firefighters: Three USC Price School online students are firefighters in Las Vegas, where they face unusual challenges as first responders in the casino capital.
- Fixing Health Disparities: Motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic, student Birjot Kaur decided to pursue a career in health policy and work with underserved populations.
- Insights in India: PhD student Gregory Randolph spent eight months in India to study urban settlements, identifying a novel form of urbanization.
- A Trojan Teammate: Transfer student Vincent Ragsdale was an unlikely member of the USC football team, but he earned a roster spot after a try out.
- Extra Credit: Valedictorian Kendall Damon put the “extra” in extra curricular, interning at the U.S. Senate and L.A. County Board of Supervisors, and volunteering for political campaigns.
Faculty Impact
- Behavioral Science Meets Policy: Provost Professor and Goth Fan Wändi Bruine de Bruin applies insights from behavioral science to address climate change, sex education and other complex problems.
- Rural Research: Professor Elizabeth Currid-Halkett authored the book The Overlooked Americans, where she shows that rural and urban Americans have far more in common than not.
- Price Goes to Washington:Researchers from the USC Price School have informed federal agencies and members of Congress on topics ranging from biomedical innovation to drug distribution chains.
- Hispanic Well-Being: Associate Professor Emma Aguila is launching a research initiative focused on Hispanics and Latinos to understand the social determinants of their health.
- New Sheriff in Town: Jim McDonnell, the former L.A. County Sheriff, brings more than 40 years of public experience in taking over the leadership role at the USC Price School’s Safe Communities Institute.
Master of Urban Planning
Make Cities More Just, Livable & Sustainable
USC’s MUP degree trains students to improve the quality of life for urban residents and their communities worldwide.
Find Out MoreOutstanding Alumni
- Showcasing Their Talents: Alum Ifunanya Nweke founded the nonprofit Jazz Hands for Autism, which has provided music training, vocational development and job placement for more than 150 musicians with autism.
- Making Movies: Chase Millsap, a USC Price School alum and Marine vet, specializes in filmmaking that brings attention to policy challenges.
- Developing Downtowns: Austin Metoyer, president and CEO of the Downtown Long Beach Alliance, is helping his home city navigate a disruption that could change downtown forever: the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Breaking New Ground: At an annual event on women in real estate, USC Price alumnae described their unexpected career trajectories and encouraged the audience to take risks, find balance between work and family, and seek joy in a demanding but ultimately rewarding career.
- Helping the Homeless: Brittney Weissman is tackling homelessness and mental health issues as the first executive director of Hollywood 4WRD.
