Student Perspectives: Diversity and Inclusion at USC

My name is Emily Mojica and I am a junior at the University of Southern California studying Computer Science and Business Administration. I am also a Diversity Recruitment Leader in the USC Office of Undergraduate Admission. USC embraces an inclusive spirit and remains dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. I am excited to share some incredible organizations and resources that have helped me find my community at USC.  

USC Student Union  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uscedu/?hl=en 
Website: https://seip.usc.edu/

 The USC Student Union is home to several student equity inclusion program centers and lounges, including La Casa, The First Generation Plus Success Center, LGBTQ+ Student Center, Student Basic Needs, Veterans Resource Center, Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, Asian Pacific American Student Services, Middle Eastern and North African Student Lounge, and the Native American and Pasifika Student Lounge. These centers offer students a space to build community and access USC resources. There are also embedded counselors where students can find support from professionals who may share their experiences and backgrounds. These cultural centers are some of the earliest in the country and have been renovated thanks to significant investments from USC. There are also collaborative events between these centers that provide students with opportunities to connect across cultures and build a diverse community. 

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shpe_usc/ 
Website: https://shpeusc.com/

Joining SHPE was significant for me, as it led me to a supportive community on campus. Through workshops and meetings with various industry leaders including SpaceX, Accenture and Lockheed Martin (to name a few) SHPE has provided me with various professional development opportunities. The annual SHPE National Convention, featuring a career fair with top companies like Apple, Google, and Tesla, has been a highlight. Additionally, SHPE USC sponsored 50 members to attend the convention with fully funded accommodations and travel, demonstrating its commitment to empowering Hispanic students in STEM fields.  

Within the Viterbi School of Engineering, the Center for Engineering Diversity hosts similar organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers. 

Latino Business Student Association (LSBA) 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lbsausc/ 
Website: https://www.usclbsa.com/

LBSA has been helpful in connecting me with business majors who share similar backgrounds. The friendships I've made through LBSA have enriched my academic experience, and attending professional development events has exposed me to potential career opportunities. One of my favorite experiences was touring offices with former USC LBSA members at Snapchat and TikTok, gaining insights into the industry and making valuable connections. The USC Marshall School of Business has multiple affinity groups for business students, including Ascend, a premier pan-Asian organization, and the Black Business Students Association.  

Students interested in other fields of study can also join various affinity-based organizations! 

USC Center for Engineering Diversity & VSI 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usc_viterbi_ced/?hl=en 
Website: https://viterbiundergrad.usc.edu/diversity/center-for-engineering-diversity/ 

The USC Center for Engineering Diversity, established in 1975, plays an important role in supporting minority students pursuing engineering degrees. The center provides a study lounge and hosts events like the Viterbi Summer Institute Reunion, which I attended prior to my freshman year. Serving as a residential assistant for the program has allowed me to give back and help incoming students from underrepresented backgrounds transition to USC. This experience has not only helped me create lasting friendships but also prepared me for the academic rigor of Viterbi Engineering. For students outside the Viterbi School of Engineering, there are numerous ways to find community and resources.  

You can join affinity groups at the USC Mann School of Pharmacy or engage with the Institute for Diversity and Empowerment at the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.  

I'm grateful for these organizations and spaces at USC that have helped me find my community and thrive academically and professionally. Fight on!