USC Alumni Association

10/30/2026

USC has named David Madigan its next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. An internationally recognized statistics scholar and accomplished academic leader, Madigan brings more than three decades of experience across higher education and industry.

He started on Oct. 13 and is serving as USC’s chief academic officer, helping advance excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship across the university. Welcome to the Trojan Family! ✌️

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A leading scholar with a record of innovation and collaboration across disciplines, David Madigan will join USC Oct. 13 to lead its academic enterprise.

10/28/2026

A $3 million gift from USC alumnus Randy Kendrick ’86 is investing in a bold new future for babies born with congenital heart disease.

Inspired by his mentor, former USC Marshall professor Rocky Tarantello, Kendrick established the Kelly Tarantello Chair in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery at Keck Medicine of USC. The chair honors Tarantello’s daughter, Kelly, who was born with congenital heart disease and died at age 32.

The inaugural chairholder is John David Cleveland, MD, chief of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and assistant professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Cleveland and his team are studying whether genetically engineered pig hearts could serve as a bridge to transplantation, or potentially provide a longer-term solution, for critically ill infants awaiting donor hearts.

The team recently demonstrated that a genetically engineered pig heart could function for two years in an animal model, marking a significant step forward in cardiac xenotransplantation research. Kendrick’s support will provide new resources to advance these potentially lifesaving investigations and help create more options for children and families facing limited treatment choices.

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Related News Heart health enters the future with a $28.7 million gift from the Marcus Foundation August 11, 2026 Among youth who v**e, USC study finds rise in daily use […]

10/23/2026

For more than a century, Trojans have answered the call to serve.

A USC Dornsife Magazine feature shares the extraordinary stories of seven alumni whose military and public service helped shape their lives and the nation. From World War II hero and Olympian Louis Zamperini ’40 to Lt. Col. Alyson Kil ’10, ’14, whose work in military medicine supports the health and readiness of American soldiers, each story reflects courage, resilience and an enduring commitment to service.

These Trojans have served across the military, intelligence community and federal government, taking on roles that range from secretary of the Air Force and secretary of the Navy to CIA officer, Army major general and physician. Along the way, they drew upon the critical thinking, problem-solving skills and lifelong connections developed at USC.

Their paths span different generations, disciplines, and experiences, but each demonstrates what it means to Fight On in service to something greater.

Meet seven remarkable USC Dornsife alumni who put their education to work in service to the nation:

Across war zones, intelligence agencies and the Pentagon, USC Dornsife alumni have spent decades serving and protecting the nation

10/21/2026

USC Marshall School of Business has appointed Kimon Drakopoulos as its inaugural vice dean of AI Initiatives, a new leadership role created to guide the school’s artificial intelligence strategy across education, research, and industry.

Drakopoulos brings experience spanning academia, government and business. He co-founded USC’s first-of-its-kind AI for Business undergraduate program with the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and has helped lead national-scale AI initiatives in Greece, including the development of an AI system used to guide COVID-19 testing at the country’s borders.

In his new role, Drakopoulos will work to strengthen AI fluency, data literacy and analytical thinking across USC Marshall’s curriculum while emphasizing the human skills that will become increasingly valuable as technology reshapes the workplace, including judgment, creativity, communication, collaboration and leadership.

He will also connect faculty, students, and leaders across industry, government, and higher education to expand the reach and real-world impact of USC Marshall’s AI research.

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New leadership role will shape USC Marshall’s AI strategy across education, research, and industry as AI transforms the future of business.

10/15/2026

A huddle to remember! Trojan spirit was on full display as we got ready to Fight On.

10/15/2026

Just look at them. 🥹 We are so proud of our new grads! 🎓

10/14/2026

From California to New York, and all the way to Mumbai, USC Mann undergraduates spent the summer turning classroom knowledge into real-world experience.

Through competitive internships at organizations including Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, Agilent Technologies, MannKind Corporation, Genetix Biotherapeutics, Hikal Ltd., and 986 Pharmacy, students explored the many ways science, business, data, and patient care come together across the pharmaceutical industry.

Their work spanned regulatory affairs, oncology research, pharmaceutical strategy, marketing, analytics and community pharmacy operations. Along the way, students strengthened their technical and professional skills, explored potential career paths and contributed to projects supporting the development and delivery of medicines.

These coast-to-coast and international experiences reflect how USC Mann students are applying their education beyond the classroom while preparing to shape the future of health care.

Read more about their summer experiences:

USC Mann undergraduates gained firsthand experience in pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, analytics, marketing and community pharmacy through internships across the country and beyond.

10/09/2026

Congratulations to Laura Abrams, who has been formally installed as dean of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.

A nationally recognized youth-welfare researcher and longtime social work leader, Abrams has spent more than 30 years working to improve the well-being of incarcerated youth and young adults. Her research has helped shape policy in California and continues to advance conversations about social justice, human rights, and equity.

During her installation ceremony, Abrams shared her vision for preparing Trojans to navigate a rapidly changing world while ensuring that USC research creates a meaningful impact in Los Angeles and beyond. She also emphasized the importance of embracing AI and new technologies without losing the emotional intelligence and human connection at the heart of social work.

“I accept this responsibility with gratitude, humility and great optimism about what lies ahead,” Abrams said.

Under her leadership, the school will continue bringing people together, listening to communities and turning knowledge into action as it works toward a future in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

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Abrams took helm at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work in July.

10/07/2026

Nothing better than Trojan spirit 🤩✌️

10/07/2026

What if staying cool in Los Angeles were as simple as borrowing shade?

USC researchers are helping turn that idea into reality through ShadeLA, a coalition led by USC and UCLA that is working to make the city more resilient to extreme heat. Using research and a new mapping tool, the team identified communities facing the greatest impact from rising temperatures, limited tree coverage, and other health and economic challenges.

That research inspired a mobile shade “lending library,” which would allow public agencies and community organizations to borrow and quickly install portable shade structures where they are needed most. During a pilot installation in South Los Angeles, surface temperatures beneath the structure were up to 51 degrees cooler than on the nearby exposed basketball courts.

As Los Angeles prepares to host major global events, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, USC researchers are demonstrating how data, collaboration, and innovative thinking can create safer and healthier outdoor spaces for Angelenos, now and for years to come.

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Researchers from USC are helping ShadeLA bring temperatures down across the city.