Category: News

USC celebrates first-generation trailblazers

Students share messages of inspiration for others who seek to be the first in their family to attend college.

Expanded USC Social Work Workforce Development Program Provides Stipends and Specialized Career Training

After a decade working in child development, Nidia Sanguino-Gonzalez realized she had gone as far in her career as she could without a master’s degree. The early educator, mental health advocate and mother of four gave herself three years to get into the right school at the right price for her family

First-generation students gather to celebrate their hard-earned journey to USC.
Graduate student Cassidy Reimann places her post-it note during the first generation college student celebration, Nov. 8, 2023. (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

The Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, the First Generation Plus Success Center, the First Generation Student Assembly, and USC Admissions host event to commemorate First-Generation College Celebration Day.

First-gen student aims to pursue a business career that enables him to give back to the community

Topping Scholar Luis Tun is looking to join the business world and eventually found a company dedicated to providing financial advice for immigrant and low-income communities like the one he and his family found so welcoming.

USC NAI Graduates Return to Campus

Three NAI and Topping scholars — who all hail from the areas surrounding both USC campuses — became familiar with being a part of campus life. In previous years, the transition to college was seamless, but campus closures made the transition different this fall. “I’m excited for this year. I feel like I have a…

Twin sisters give back to program that helped them succeed at USC

USC Topping alumnae and former foster youth Carmen and Lucero Noyola leaned on the Trojan Guardian Scholars for guidance and support. Now they’re returning the favor.

Campaigning during a global pandemic isn’t easy

“Nothing could have prepared me for this situation,” said Jorgel Chavez, a USC Price student who ran for city councilmember of Bell Gardens while completing his progressive master of public administration degree. “I was running against two previous incumbents and one current incumbent, and I only raised $6,600…I knew I was the underdog. And so,…

First-gen graduating senior made a home at USC thanks to her Latinx peers
One highlight of her college career was when Maria Morales and her brother performed at the Rose Bowl in 2017 with the Trojan Marching Band. (Photo/Courtesy of Maria Morales)

Maria Del Pilar Morales initially struggled to find her place at USC, but she soon discovered her calling in global health and her community among the university’s Latinx students and alumni.

New Trojan wants to inspire more Native American students to attend college
Natalie Battiest was a Bovard Scholar in 2019. She is of Choctaw descent and comes to USC from Oklahoma by way of Downey. (Photo/Stella Kalinina)

Natalie Battiest is no stranger to USC. As a Bovard Scholar, she lived on campus during summer 2019. And earlier this year, she helped lead the Native American Student Union’s biggest College Exploration Day to date.

High-touch Student Engagement in Remote Learning Environments

At the University of Southern California’s Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, beyond the scholarships we give to high-need, first-gen students with a history of community service, our most precious currency is connection, belonging, and empathy. Our work blends academic and student affairs, and we help students get the most out of the university experience…