Commencement is this week, and we’re celebrating the achievements of our graduates as they prepare for what comes next. (Planning to attend? Find tips below.)
To parents of returning students, we hope you enjoy your summer and look forward to the return of your young Trojans in the fall — or maybe even sooner (hint, hint)?
In this month’s newsletter:
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Meet a few outstanding Trojans graduating this week
- AI’s problematic behavior and what our psychology researchers are learning about it
- This alumnus, one of our new “10 to Watch,” is on a crusade to promote tofu
- Why a professor risks a thousand puncture wounds to drive home his lessons
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4 Exemplary Members of the Class of 2026 |
Before they cross the commencement stage, meet four USC Dornsife students whose undergraduate experiences took them from labs and campus communities to the Galapagos and futures in medicine.
From AI safety and computational linguistics to conservation work and service to others, their stories reflect the breadth of the USC Dornsife experience and the Trojan spirit.
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Which USC Dornsife PhD program was recently ranked No. 1 for placing graduates in permanent academic positions?
A - Economics
B - Creative Writing and Literature
C - Political Science and International Relations
D - Philosophy
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Can We Prevent Sociopathic AI? |
AI can be a brilliant tool, but blind to basic morals. USC Dornsife researchers are studying how to keep it aligned with human values.
Why it matters: Generative AI can sometimes behave in ways people see as amoral or dangerous.
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These behaviors are linked to “misalignment,” where AI’s outputs don’t match moral norms.
- Misaligned responses can emerge unpredictably, even without malicious intent.
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Problem: ChatGPT and other large language models (LLMs) can generate content that makes them seem sociopathic.
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- LLMs don’t feel empathy or consequences for their actions.
- Developers often don’t know exactly why these behaviors arise.
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What’s new: USC Dornsife’s approach blends psychology and neuroscience to tackle the issue and explores “personal vulnerability” as a safety concept.
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University Professor Antonio Damasio of psychology and philosophy suggests AI must “plan and behave as if harm and benefit to others are occurring to itself.”
- He proposes programming AI with internal variables that mimic health and stability and a desire to keep them in balance by behaving well.
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Yes, but: Translating human psychology into algorithms remains complex, and performative empathy isn’t enough to prevent harmful actions.
What to watch: Research may lead to early warning systems for misaligned AI.
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The bottom line: Preventing harmful AI behavior may require new designs that go beyond surface-level mimicry of empathy.
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A New Credential Is Coming This Fall
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USC Dornsife Intensives are new undergraduate credentials built around three related courses in focused areas of study.
Why it matters: Open to undergraduates across USC, regardless of major, they offer a new way to earn a credential in areas that are timely, practical and relevant beyond the classroom.
Why it stands out: Intensives will appear on the diploma, giving a visible way to highlight academic work that sets the student apart.
What to watch: Fall registration is now open, so tell your student to keep an eye out for the first Intensives, to be announced soon.
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Alumnus Wants You to Rethink Tofu |
One alumnus is on a mission to change how Americans think about tofu. George Stiffman ’19 wants it seen as a flavorful centerpiece — not a bland substitute.
What’s new: Stiffman, who recently was named to the inaugural USC Dornsife 10 to Watch list, is promoting tofu as a versatile, crave-worthy ingredient.
Why it matters: Tofu could play a bigger role in healthier, more sustainable diets if people rethink how to use it..
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- Many Americans still see tofu as boring or niche, but plant-based proteins have lower environmental impact.
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In his words: “Tofu has three times lower carbon emissions than chicken and 25 times lower emissions than beef,” Stiffman says.
Zoom in: His interest in plant-based eating started in high school.
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- Concerns about climate change led him to ditch meat to improve his carbon footprint.
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While studying East Asian languages and cultures at USC Dornsife, he embarked on study-abroad programs to China and apprenticed under a tofu master.
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Opportunity: After graduation, Stiffman began building a career as tofu’s most devoted hype man.
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- He published a cookbook in 2024 and credits writing skills gained at USC Dornsife for enabling him to complete the project.
- He’s cooked for celebrities and lectured at the Culinary Institute of America.
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Stiffman launched Soycery in 2024, a pop-up selling tofu skewers that has since pivoted to helping institutional dining halls offer more tofu varieties.
The bottom line: Tofu might be an unusual career focus, but with traditional career paths rapidly changing, the unexpected could be the best way forward
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“Being able to think critically, figuring out where you can fit in or making your own role, that’s going to be really important,” says Stiffman.
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$200M for AI Research - A gift from economics alumnus Mark Stevens ’81 and his wife, Mary, supports faculty hires and other initiatives across USC. Find out more >>
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Foundations of AI - A new master’s program teaches students the mathematical infrastructure that drives artificial intelligence. Go Deeper >>
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‘Dad brain’ is real - Welcoming a child changes men’s brains, not just women’s, says a professor of psychology. Get more brain-changing info >>
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$1M Raised for Civil Dialogue – VIPs on both sides of the aisle honored the legendary political strategist who directs the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future. See the highlights >>
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Physics Professor Lies on a Bed of Nails |
When it comes to teaching physics, Professor Vahe Peroomian nails the fundamentals — and stuns students to help them remember important principles.
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A Degree Built on Human Insight |
Professionals seeking to better understand people and drive results can gain practical, real-world skills with the M.S. in Applied Psychology. This program equips students to apply behavioral science to marketing, workplace culture and organizational effectiveness.
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There’s Still Time for a Smart Summer Move |
Summer is a great time for students to stay on track toward graduation and lighten their future course load. There’s still time to register!
Whether on campus or online, taking just one GE course can make a big difference — and help set them up for success next year.
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Important Info for Graduation Ceremonies |
If you’re attending the 2026 USC Dornsife Academic School Ceremonies in Alumni Park on May 15 at 1 p.m. or 4:30 p.m., remember:
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- Watch the weather and plan accordingly; the ceremonies will take place outdoors
- Dress comfortably, stay hydrated and bring sunscreen
- Tickets are not required for the May 15 USC Dornsife Ceremonies — but they are required for the May 14 university ceremony
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Parking is free — but extremely limited — in the Royal Street Parking Structure (ADA Accessible), Figueroa Street Structure, Flower Street Structure and USC Shrine Structure
- Use of rideshare or public transportation is highly encouraged
- Guest seating in Alumni Park opens 1 hour before each ceremony start time
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For those who cannot join us in in person, the ceremonies will be broadcast live online here and available for future, on-demand viewing
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| California’s Primary Election is on June 2. Make sure you’re ready; register to vote by May 18.
Registering is quick, easy and saves you time — whether you choose to vote by mail, drop off your ballot or vote in person at a Vote Center.
Check your registration status or register today through TurboVote.
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D - Philosophy
The School of Philosophy ranked No. 1 in 2026 for placing PhD graduates in permanent academic positions: 72% of its graduates secured those roles. The faculty was also ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 8 in the English-speaking world by more than 200 philosophers worldwide.
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Scholars of Impact. Ten exemplary students recently joined USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock, College Dean of Undergraduate Education Emily Hodgson Anderson and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs Richard Fliegel for a luncheon celebrating an extraordinary achievement: being named 2026 USC Dornsife Scholar Award recipients.
The USC Dornsife Scholars Program — supported by philanthropists Dana and David Dornsife — recognizes graduating seniors who pair rigorous academic work with a commitment to addressing pressing global challenges..
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University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences | Los Angeles, CA 90089 US
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