The USC Iovine and Young Academy is proud of our efforts to foster an inclusive and diverse learning community.

As a school, it is our express purpose to reinvent undergraduate and graduate education to specifically meet the changing needs and abilities of our students and to integrate new and unique perspectives. Through new and nationally recognized models for education, we work to provide greater access for students from diverse backgrounds; especially those who exhibit talents, traits, and attributes different from those traditionally sought by higher education programs.

With a commitment to cultivating global drivers of change, the Academy is preparing students with qualities to collaborate, cultivate, and engage in diverse teams. Our students think critically across a broad spectrum of issues; encourage and seek out emotional and cultural intelligence; strive to act with kindness and humility; integrate sustainable methods and applications; and are taught to effectively communicate to diverse populations as they prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow. It is through the inclusion of these many perspectives and skills that we build our foundation.

To further these values, the USC Iovine and Young Academy created a program for Community Initiatives, which drives and informs the school’s work in this area. We are committed to a transformative community whose work as educators, scholars, technologists, entrepreneurs, artists, and designers transcends disciplinary silos, creates an environment of inclusion, and ignites innovation across our campus and beyond. We support our faculty to conduct research, expand their professional practice, and iterate on course development practices that provide greater insight and relevance to current societal issues. As part of our practice, we consider ethical, social, and environmental impacts.

We encourage our faculty, staff and students to engage with university-wide educational resources such as the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching, and the USC Culture Journey website.



Davina Wolter
Associate Dean, Inclusive Learning; 

Associate Professor of Practice​​​​​​​, Design
dwolter@usc.edu

Set up time with Professor Davina Wolter: HERE.

The USC Iovine and Young Academy welcomes and values our diverse and interdisciplinary community of students, staff, faculty, and other members. As scholars and professionals dedicated to successful collaboration, we commit to providing a safe and responsive space that empowers all participants to fully and authentically engage in education, research, and other opportunities.

Professional Ethics, contact the USC Office of Professionalism and Ethics (213-740-5755)

Workplace Safety or Environmental Health, contact USC Environmental Health and Safety (323-442-2200)

Conflict and Policy, contact the USC Office of the Ombuds (213-821-9556, upcombuds@usc.edu). Staff, as possible, should initiate concerns with manager, and as needed escalate the complaint under the USC Staff Complaint Process. 

Workplace Discrimination or Harassment due to Protected Classes, contact the USC Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (213-740-5086, eeotix@usc.edu)

All visitors to the USC Iovine & Young Academy (including staff, faculty and students) can report conduct violations directly to Davina Wolter, Associate Dean of Inclusive Learning, by emailing her directly at dwolter@usc.edu or setting up office hours for consultation. 

Community Initiatives

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