Pre-conference Financial Aid Meetings (Mandatory for NEW Scholars/Fellows)

Wednesday, August 5th 5-6pm PST

  • Understanding Undergraduate Financial Aid – Presented by Jessica Medina, Associate Director, Outreach, Financial Aid Office (REQUIRED for new undergraduate Scholars) (Zoom link)
  • Financing Graduate School – Presented by John Mendoza, Assistant Director, Outreach, Financial Aid Office (REQUIRED for new Topping Fellows) (Zoom link)

Day 1

Friday, August 7th

  • 5-6pm: Topping Retreat Kick-off (REQUIRED for ALL Scholars/Fellows) (Zoom link)
  • 6-7pm: USC & Topping 101 – Presented by Carina Gonzalez, NTSAF Advisor; Student Speakers: Sandra Olmedo & Edgar Devora-Roman (REQUIRED for NEW Undergrads) (Zoom link)
  • 6-7pm: What does it mean to be a Topping Fellow? – Presented by Dr. Trista Beard, NTSAF Director; Student Speakers: Heather Tran & Elizabeth Contreras (REQUIRED for New Fellows) (Zoom link)

Day 2

Saturday, August 8th

NOTE: All Scholars/Fellows must attend a minimum of 2 Workshop blocks on Saturday. Please attend as many activities as you can.

Workshop Block 1: 10-10:50am

  • Option 1: Transfer-mation! Getting the most out of SC (Transfer Panel) – Facilitated by Dr. David Glasgow, Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Programs; Student Panelists: Christina Ruiz, Evelyn Camacho, Jorgel Chavez, & Kevin Moran (Zoom link)
  • Option 2: Do I belong here?: Graduate Students’ Belonging – Presented by Carina Gonzalez, NTSAF Advisor, & Dr. Malissa Barnwell-Scott, Director of Student Support and First Generation Professionals Program at the USC Gould School of Law; Student Speaker: Bichnga Do (Zoom link)
  • Option 3: Fighting on…online: Managing Stress & Maintaining Focus – Presented by Julie Loppacher, Director of the Kortschak Center for Learning & Creativity (Zoom link)

Workshop Block 2: 11-11:50am

  • Option 1: Networking for People Who Don’t Like To Network – Presented by Cynthia Kossan, Career Advisor, Dornsife Career Pathways; Student Speaker: Anthony Ramirez (Zoom link)
  • Option 2: Discover the World: Research, Fellowships & Study Abroad – Presented by Andy Jones-Liang, Senior Project Specialist, Academic Honors & Fellowship; Student Speaker: Blayke Tatman *Note: This session is best suited for 1st/2nd year students. (Zoom link)
  • Option 3: Surviving and Thriving: Resources to Overcome Challenges (Basic Needs and CSI) – Presented by Ally Hong, Manager, Student Basic Needs; Michele Morgan, Director of Campus Support & Intervention; & Carolyn Tope, Coordinator, Campus Support & Intervention; Student Speaker: Kevin Graves (Zoom link)

Break 12-2pm

Optional Sessions — Just for Fun! 1-2pm

  • Option 1: More Questions about Financial Aid – Presented by John Mendoza, Assistant Director of Outreach, Financial Aid Office & Jessica Medina, Associate Director of Outreach, Financial Aid Office (Zoom link)
  • Option 2: USC Trojan and Topping Trivia! – Hosted by Christopher McMorran, Beau Carabajal, Carlos Acosta & Arleth Cespedes (Zoom link)

Workshop Block 3: 2pm-2:50pm

  • Option 1: Pre-Health Life: Pathways & Pitfalls – Presented by Edna Martinez, Pre-Health Advisor, USC Dornsife; Student Speaker: Jai Kemp (Zoom link)
  • Option 2: Who am I? Expressing all my identities – Presented by Professor Carlos Delgado, USC Writing Program (Zoom link)
  • Option 3: Unleash your Leadership Potential (campus activities, community service, and more) – Presented by Jennifer Perdomo, Senior Coordinator, Campus Activities; Student Speakers: Brigitte Rodriguez & Cheldy Martinez (Zoom link)

Workshop Block 4: 3-3:50pm

  • Option 1: Sharing your Narrative: Being Authentic in Professional Spaces – Presented by Mallika Samtani, Advisor, Internship and Diversity Programs, USC Career Center (Zoom link)
  • Option 2: Meet the Governing Board – Facilitated by Jenny Ha, 2019-2020 Governing Board Chair & Christopher McMorran, 2020-2021 Governing Board Chair (Zoom link)
  • Option 3: DACA: Finding resources & community – Presented by Vanessa Gomez Brake, Associate Dean, Office of Religious & Spiritual Life; Student Speakers: Daniel Padilla Vega & Luis Tun (Zoom link)

Closing Ceremony: Celebrating Community!: 4-4:30pm (Recommended for ALL) (Zoom link)

(All meetings are password protected. Check your USC email for details.)