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| A MESSAGE FROM ASSOCIATE DEAN TAMMY ANDERSON
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As I reflect on another exciting and successful year in ExL, I am filled with immense pride in our accomplishments and the impact our programs have had on our students.
We continue to provide opportunities that broaden the scope of how our students learn. This semester the Washington DC Program celebrated 10 years of excellence. In March, I attended their annual reception and met several students who told me how their classes, internships, and networking experiences informed their future career goals.
Recently, the Prison Education Program hosted a dinner and poetry reading for their WRIT 320: INSIDE-OUT WRITING WORKSHOP, a systems impacted course allowing for incarcerated people to participate in a memoir writing course along with USC students. The event was a culmination of their course, and it was evident that the transformative work of Co-Directors Nicholas DeDominic and Kate Levin positively impacted all of their students as one after another thanked them for this memorable class.
Our Financial Inclusion Program TESA - The Entrepreneurial Startup Academy - hosted "graduations" for the latest cohorts. The workshop offers budding entrepreneurs in underserved communities an opportunity to learn the nuances of starting a business. Through our partnership with Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation, we were able to provide this invaluable service to community members while inviting undergraduates from Economics and Spanish an opportunity to take what they are learning in their courses and apply concepts in real life settings.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t recognize four members of our student staff who are graduating. Their outstanding contributions to our office and its programming are greatly appreciated and will be deeply missed. Gabriella, Logan, Ta'Tiana and Selene - thank you! You are AWESOME and I wish you all the best as you move forward to your next adventure.
I want to recognize and thank the hardworking ExL Leadership team – Amanda Bloom, Marcos Briano, Nik De Dominic, Jeffrey Fields, Amber Harris, Susan Harris, Peter Hilton, Teresa Hudock, Kate Levin, Olu Orange, and Debbie Williams, whose dedication and tireless efforts have been instrumental in creating extraordinary learning experiences for our students in Dornsife and across USC. Their commitment to fostering a culture of educational excellence, innovation, and social responsibility has been unwavering, and I am truly grateful.
All the best,
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SPARK TO FLAME WITH OLU ORANGE
Interview by Gabriella Marquez, ExL Communications Intern
Our students are facing the incredible challenge of balancing self-discovery while navigating a world filled with disqualifiers. In one instance, we tell students the path to success is more than resume building then require an extensive list of "accomplishments" to be considered for achievements ranging from scholarships to honor societies.
If ever a spark were to be ignited, some of our students would be too overwhelmed with crafting the perfect dossier to foster the flame that brings passion, growth and ultimately success - whatever that looks like.
Our Spark to Flame series serves to dispel the notion that success is a linear path with no room for error or deviation.
In her last interview for the Spark to Flame Series before graduation, Gabriella sits down to speak with her longtime mentor and coach Olu K Orange. Olu is the Director of the USC Dornsife Trial Advocacy Program and founded and serves as the Director of the USC Dornsife Agents of Change: Civil Rights Advocacy Initiative (“AoC”). Created in 2020, AoC is the first undergraduate civil rights clinic in the nation.
In January of 2021, Olu was one of 17 lawyers (of the 266,000 in California) selected by the Daily Journal, to be honored with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California as a Top Lawyer of the Decade and was recognized for his decade-defining civil rights work.
Olu has been selected as a recipient of the California Lawyer Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award — first in 2015, again in 2017, and yet again in 2021 for his civil rights work. In 2016, Orange was selected as one of the Daily Journal’s Top 100 lawyers in California in recognition of his civil rights and entertainment law practices at his firm, Orange Law Offices, P.C. Olu is also consistently selected by Thomson Reuters as a ‘Super Lawyer’ in his firm’s practice areas.
Join us as we delve into Olu's journey, celebrating his passion for civil rights and advocacy - from sparking curiosity to igniting a flame of change.
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WASHINGTON DC PROGRAM CELEBRATES TEN YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
For 10 years, the Program has offered dynamic co-curricular and cultural events that include speakers series, visits to area attractions and institutions, and professional development workshops. Students are encouraged to attend the various events held weekly around the D.C. area, such as think tank panels, book launches, embassy open houses, and congressional hearings. Take a listen to what pur students shared about their experience having their classroom in the nation's capital.
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EXL LAB AND THEMATIC OPTION SHOW STUDENTS "HOW TO DRAW THEIR DRAGON"
Brought by acclaimed artist/creature designer, Terryl Whitlatch, and paleontologist/anatomist, Dr. Michael Habib, How to Draw Your Dragon: How Science Informs Arts and Entertainment demonstrated how they use science and art to create compelling creatures for books, television, films, and games.
Using visual presentations and interactive demonstrations, Terryl and Mike shared with USC and Ednovate Hybrid HIgh School students their process of building unique animal characters for successful storytelling using one of the most popular exemplars: dragons. Take a look how they used art and science to inform and inspire each other to make a fantasy creature believable, engaging, and exciting.
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About Terryl Whitlatch
Terryl is one of the foremost Animal and Creature Designers in today’s Animation, Entertainment, and Film Industry.
An accomplished animal anatomist, with a background in Vertebrate Zoology, she has many major motion pictures and games to her credit including Principal Creature Designer for Star Wars—the Phantom Menace. Her clients include Disney Feature Animation, Disney Imagineering, Lucasfilm LTD, Industrial Light and Magic, Dreamworks, Electronic Arts, Blizzard, Mikros, Eidos, Hasbro, Sony, Paramount, Mighty Canvas, Bit Reactor, Microsoft, Wacom, and many others.
She is the author of 3 books on Creature Design, and the Cinematic Novel, The Katurran Odyssey.
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About Dr. Michael Habib
Dr. Michael Habib is a Director of Data Visualization and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, a Research Associate at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, an Adjunct Professor of Biology at College of the Canyons, and a freelance writer/consultant.
Dr. Habib is an expert in biomechanics exploring the relationships between evolution, structure, and performance in animals (including humans) using a combination of anatomy, art, and engineering. Dr. Habib has appeared in a diverse array of television specials and worked as a scientific editor for National Geographic Magazine.
His first book titled Flying Monsters, due out this year, is Dr. Habib’s latest collaboration with legendary animation artist Terryl Whitlatch. Dr. Habib is an experienced animation and creature design consultant, and has applied science to creature design on over 20 projects for leading studios, including projects for BBC, CBC, National Geographic, Creative Differences, YouTube Originals, Amblin Entertainment, and Apple TV+.
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PRISON EDUCATION PROJECT CONTINUES TO ExLWritten by Nicholas De Dominic, Associate Professor of Writing, Associate Director of Curriculum for the Writing Program, PEP Co-Director
This academic year, the Dornsife Prison Education Project (PEP) offered 12 enrichment courses at 7 adult and juvenile correctional facilities. Classes covered a wide breadth of topics including screenwriting, brain science, astronomy, and debate. Over 80 USC students participated in offering these graduate student and faculty-led classes to over 100 incarcerated people.
PEP's Reader Circle program offers editorial services to incarcerated and systems-impacted writers. This year, 639 USC volunteers worked with 352 writers to edit over 1,000 manuscripts, offering meaningful feedback to these writers.
This spring semester, Writing Program Professors and PEP Directors Kate Levin and Nik De Dominic once again offered their Writing 320: Examining the Self and Society via the Essay, which co-enrolls incarcerated and on-campus students, with both populations receiving USC credit for their work. PEP worked with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations to offer the course at La Mirada Custody to Community Transitional Reentry Program facility. The class culminated with the release of an anthology of student writing and an on-campus reading. Here are some student testimonials:
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Mehr Kotval, Archeology and Political Science sophmore, presenting her lesson plan to the other students in her PHED127 section.
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PHED127 - POSES, PURPOSE AND PARTNERSHIP - A JOINT EDUCATIONAL PROJECT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION MIND BODY HEALTH COLLABORATION
Written by Kathryn Rising, Communications
The brainchild of JEP Associate Director Tina Koneazny, PHED127 Principles of Yoga Through Community Outreach blends the practice of yoga with the art of service.
JEP's Little Yoginis curriculum was initially designed to bring the myriad of benefits of yoga to children in neighborhood communities. What began as a popular volunteer assignment option for USC students has evolved into a robust partnership with Dornsife’s Physical Education and Mind Body Health Department. Reflecting on the journey, Koneazny shared, “I’ve observed many great student success stories of our JEP assignments being paired with academic classes here on campus, and I knew we could find a great match for Little Yoginis as well.”
PHED127 is more than just a yoga class; it’s a comprehensive journey featuring 7 weeks of yoga instruction followed by 8 weeks of “seva,” the yogic practice of selfless service. This course seamlessly integrates postures, breathing techniques, relaxation, and meditation with children’s literature, creating a service-learning experience in neighborhood grade schools.
The learning objectives are as diverse as the practice itself, covering the Hatha and Karma yoga paths, the philosophical principles of yoga on and off the mat, and effective teaching of meditation and breathing techniques to children. Students not only gain personal mastery of yoga poses but also learn to introduce and guide community children in these poses, weaving yoga themes into children’s literature.
For more information on this exciting collaboration, read the article in its entirety here and check out PHED127 in action below:
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 | Fez, Morocco – Tal Slon (center) and classmate visit apothecary to get
help learning the Arabic names of herbs used in local teas.
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OVERSEAS STUDIES TELL STUDENTS: THE WORLD IS YOUR CLASSROOM
Written by Peter Hilton, Director of Overseas Studies
We tell students “the world is your classroom” with the hope that they will immerse and involve themselves in the local culture well beyond taking classes and touristic activities, and we are happy to say they deliver on that hope. Our study abroad students who venture to another country for a semester or year truly make the world their classroom. Such learning experiences include learning the Arabic names of herbs used in local teas in Morocco, learning the Māori hakadance in New Zealand, interning in the NGO and health care fields in Madrid, researching best practices at correctional centers in Australia, and creating a short documentary film on Buddhism in Nepal. The list goes on.
We are very proud of our graduating seniors. Half of this year’s USC Global Scholar Prize Winners (5 out of 10!) participated in Overseas Studies programs at places like Sophia University in Japan, Maastricht University in the Netherlands, the London School of Economics, and King’s College London. A student abroad this semester at the University of Queensland in Australia and graduating in May, Giancarlo Ceja, is the first USC student in over ten years to be named a Luce Scholar, a nationally competitive award for graduates who will enhance the understanding of Asia among potential leaders in American society. While taking a full course load in Australia, Giancarlo is concurrently conducting two independent research projects focused on eco-anxiety and coastal migration induced by climate change.
As the number of students going on semester and year programs continues to increase, we look forward to sharing more stories about students making the world their classroom.
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USC graduate and undergraduate students preparing for the TESA Spanish cohort.
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ExL FINANCIAL INCLUSION PROGRAM WORKSHOP
Written by Zainab Awolumate, Economics Major and FIP English Cohort Mentor
We are excited to announce the successful completion of the 8-week Financial Inclusion Program (FIP) mentorship for The Entrepreneurial Startup Academy (TESA)!
Over the course of the program, undergraduate students from USC, serving as FIP mentors, and graduate students from USC, acting as FIP program managers, had the invaluable opportunity to closely engage with both aspiring entrepreneurs and established business owners. Their hands-on mentorship, guided by Sara Rubalcava who facilitated the workshops, provided participants with invaluable insights, guidance, and support.
The FIP mentorship program aimed to foster financial inclusion by empowering entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of financial management, budgeting, investment strategies, developing elevator pitches and more. With the collaboration of the Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC), who are dedicated to inspiring economic development and providing capital access to underserved areas in South LA, they delivered core resources and tools to aid small business owners and entrepreneurs in South LA and beyond.
Through the efforts of all, more than 60 participants honed crucial financial literacy skills, enhancing their confidence in managing and expanding their businesses effectively, while comprehending the necessary next steps.
Their dedication to mentorship has not only empowered individuals to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams but has also contributed to the overall economic growth and prosperity of the community around us. We commend them for their outstanding efforts and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others.
As we celebrate the successful conclusion of the FIP mentorship program, we look forward to witnessing the continued success and growth of the entrepreneurs they have supported.
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GRADUATING ExL STUDENTS REFLECT ON EXPERIENCE
Gabriella Marquez and Logan Barth have worked in the Office of Experiential and Applied Learning for a number of years. As student workers, Gabriella curates content for all ExL social media platforms while Logan lends his talents to the ExL website and SOAR/SURF programs.
Both have also participated in a number of experiential programs including Agents of Change, Mock Trial and Maymesters. See how their time in these programs have helped them to ExL.
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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ExL GRADUATES
The Office of Experiential and Applied Learning is pleased to highlight our ExL graduates. From academic achievements to impactful contributions, their stories exemplify dedication, resilience, and a commitment to uplifting others. Join us in celebrating the achievements of our student staff who all embody the spirit of our community and inspire us all to strive for excellence.
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Gabriella Marquez
Major: Political Science
Minor: Juvenile Justice in Social Work
ExL Programs: Mock Trial, Agents of Change, ExL Lab
Post graduation plans: I will be attending TRIALS after graduation, the premiere LSAT preparation program in the country, working in partnership with Advantage Testing Foundation, Harvard Law School, and NYU Law School. The program is geared towards enhancing opportunities for students of underrepresented backgrounds by bolstering their skills and focusing on their goals. It is highly selective, with only 1% of applicants chosen to join the cohort. I was one of 20 students from a pool of nearly 2000 applicants who will partake in the program.
I will also be headed to Argentina for my Maymester where I will learn about immigration and work culture in the region.
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Logan Barth
Major: Law, History and Culture
Minor: Business Law
ExL Programs: Mock Trial
Post graduation plans: I will be attending law school at the USC Gould School of Law in the fall with the hopes of becoming an entertainment attorney.
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Ta'Tiana Williams
My name is Ta'Tiana Williams, and I joined the Office of Experiential and Applied Learning as the Financial Inclusion Program Director for the TESA program. My work with TESA - The Entrepreneurial Startup Academy - allowed me to use my 11+ years experience in financial banking along with my education from the Bovard College Project Management graduate program in a practical and meaningful way.
Not only was I able to work with undergraduate students, but I was also able to offer leadership strategies and project management protocols to our community partner Vermont Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC). I was tasked with helping to streamline some of their administrative needs as well as introduce protocols for a myriad of their programs. Having an opportunity to use concepts I learned in the classroom - in real time - proved to be an invaluable experience.
I will continue to remain active in the community. And now, equipped with my Master's degree and all of the experiences I have gained from my time at USC, I am prepared for my dream position as an Executive Project Manager or Director.
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Selene Castillo
My name is Selene Castillo, and I will be graduating from USC this upcoming May. As a progressive degree student, I double majored in International Relations and Spanish, and I will also confer my Master of Public Administration degree. As a first-generation college student, I am very grateful for the experiential learning opportunities that USC offers to its students. It was a pleasure to join the ExL Financial Inclusion Program (FIP) and collaborate with The Vermont-Slauson Economic Development Corporation (VSEDC) on The Entrepreneur Start-Up Academy (TESA) initiative. Throughout my college career I have sought ways to interact and give back to the local community and this was the perfect opportunity. The goal of the TESA initiative was to close the gap of lack of financial and entrepreneurship training available to local entrepreneurs. Throughout the weeks, I was able to support and learn from all the amazing participants. One of our target audiences was to help Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs, so it was very meaningful to help overcome the language barrier and make all the information and resources available to them. During our closing ceremony, I realized how big of an impact we made on the lives of these participants through this initiative. It is important that programs like this continue to exist because it provides students like us the opportunity to gain professional experience and people from the local community obtain many resources that are otherwise unavailable. This experience made me realize how passionate I am about helping underserved communities and sharing resources and opportunities with those individuals. After graduation, I will be joining the USC Bovard Scholars program as their Student Program Advisor. The mission of Bovard is to support high-achieving, low-income students gain admission into top tier universities and help address the undermatching phenomenon.
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For more information on how to ExL in Experience, visit the ExL website. | |  | 
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