Thanksgiving is around the corner, and this is a great time of the year to reflect on the things we are thankful for. We are thankful for the Trojan Family, which distinguishes USC Dornsife as a leading institution for learning, research and creating a positive impact.

In this issue, discover how USC Dornsife has led the way in helping ease elementary school students’ anxiety, meet a former Navy SEAL and fitness entrepreneur, learn some surprising things about how your gut is linked to health and celebrate a group of gifted alumni authors.

Schools nationwide increasingly are embracing mindfulness practices, but USC Dornsife’s Little Yoginis program has been introducing yoga and children’s literature to students in inner-city elementary schools for more than a decade.

Why it matters: Mental health challenges among students in the United States continue to rise, and mindfulness practices can help support their mental well-being.

How it works: USC students enroll in a class offered through a collaboration between USC Dornsife’s Department of Physical Education & Mind Body Health and Joint Educational Project (JEP) to learn yoga practices and principles, and how to lead yoga sessions in elementary classrooms.

In her words: “We focus on helping … students develop a sense of calm and control in their daily lives. Through yoga and breathing techniques, we help them learn skills to center themselves, become more focused and build confidence,” explains JEP’s Tina Koneazny, who developed the program.

Service learning is the core of the Little Yoginis program — USC students apply academic skills to community service, benefiting both university and elementary students.

Says Koneazny: “It’s a two-way street. Our USC students teach, but they also grow through their connections with these young students. It’s a deeply rewarding experience on both sides.”

The Jimmy Gauntt Memorial Awards honor exceptional USC Dornsife seniors majoring in English, creative writing or narrative studies.

Why it matters: Recognizing young writers validates their talent, encourages their growth, and can ignite their passion.

The award commemorates Jimmy Gauntt, a talented writer and USC Dornsife graduate whose life ended abruptly in 2008, only three years after he completed his English degree.

Faculty nominate students who demonstrate exceptional curiosity, creativity and commitment to the arts — attributes that Jimmy Gauntt himself embodied.

At an award dinner in May, faculty introduced the students they nominated, who then shared their experiences at USC.

Bottom line: The Gauntt family hopes their endowment further elevates the English department’s ability to nurture well-rounded, articulate students.

In his words: “The best students in my law classes were English majors,” said Casey Gauntt. “They knew how to think, how to write and how to look deeper into things.”

5,400+

The number of alumni in the LinkedIn group specifically for USC Dornsife graduates.

Alumnus Randy Hetrick, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, drew on his USC Dornsife history degree and military experience to become an entrepreneur, inventing the TRX Suspension Trainer and launching a fitness empire.

Why it matters: Hetrick’s story proves that, even when faced with a daunting challenge, resilience, determination and a rich educational experience can lead to success.

While at USC, Hetrick embraced a wide range of opportunities, benefiting from mentorship by President Emeritus John Hubbard and forging lifelong Trojan connections.

SEAL training included the infamous “Hell Week,” which Hetrick describes as a week of round-the-clock torture.

The idea for TRX Suspension Trainers came to Hetrick while he was deployed on a counter-piracy operation in Southeast Asia, where soldiers lacked access to fitness equipment.

In his words: “I don’t really believe in failure. I obviously understand it because throughout my career I have undershot my goals many times. But I have never viewed that as failure. It’s all part of this process of trial and error, improvement and retrial,” Hetrick says.

Go deeper: Hetrick shared his life and career path in USC Dornsife Magazine.

The gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of trillions of microbes in the intestines influencing our overall health. USC Dornsife experts recently discussed the latest science about our gut during a recent Dornsife Dialogue.

Why it matters: The gut microbiome affects the body’s physiology, metabolism and immunity, yet it is often overlooked, underscoring the need for further research.

Certain gut bacteria prevent inflammation, while others can trigger it, and diet influences the balance between them.

What to do? Focus on consuming a diet rich in fiber, which beneficial bacteria can break down to enhance metabolism.

What else: In addition to a high-sugar diet negatively affecting the gut microbiome, Scott Kanoski, professor of biological sciences, has shown that it can be especially harmful during key developmental stages, such as adolescence.

The beloved mountain lion that roamed Los Angeles and inspired a wildlife movement, artists and even musicians was first discovered living in Griffith Park by Miguel Ordeñana ’05.

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“The more assimilated spaces often resemble the rest of suburban America, with fights confined to issues of protecting one’s own turf against encroachment — in short, a Latino version of the NIMBY agenda.”

Manuel Pastor of sociology and American studies and ethnicity was quoted by the Los Angeles Times about Norwalk’s anti-homeless ordinance.

“The Republican Party in the Senate race has been pounding, pounding, pounding on the [internal-combustion engine] ban, which is a scary thing that tests pretty well if you want to scare voters, particularly in Michigan.”

Mike Murphy of the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future was quoted in The Atlantic about the Democrats’ cautious approach to promoting the economic benefits of electric vehicle manufacturing.

“We all want to improve our health and give our children the best start in life, and reducing added sugar early is a powerful step in that direction.”

Tadeja Gračner of the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research was interviewed by CNN about her research on early-life sugar rationing and long-term health.

Dive into the aftermath of a thrilling Election Night to uncover the surprises that shook voters and what lies ahead for American democracy. This in-depth analysis explores the climactic conclusion, pivotal political moments, and twists that few saw coming. Learn more >>

Join a virtual celebration that honors the mission to strengthen the community of Trojan veterans through social, educational and service-oriented engagement opportunities. Learn more >>

Discover upcoming events on the Dornsife Alumni Events Calendar.

USC alumni can pre-book parking at Ontario International Airport and save 10%. Plus save another 10% with promo code USC24.