The USC Iovine and Young Academy is proud of our efforts to foster an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible 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. 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; 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 the program for IDEA Initiatives (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access), which drives and informs the school’s work in this area. We are committed to a transformative and inclusive 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 insights on issues of inclusion, diversity, equity and access. 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 Rossier Center on Race and Equity Center, the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching, and the USC Center for Diversity and Democracy. Additional resources can be found on the USC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion website.



Davina Wolter
Associate Dean, Inclusive Learning & Diverse Excellence; University Diversity Liaison; 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 diversity, equity and inclusion, we commit to providing a safe and responsive space that empowers all participants to fully and authentically engage in education, research and other opportunities.

For issues related to professional ethics, contact the USC Office of Professionalism and Ethics (213-740-5755).

For issues related to workplace safety or environmental health, contact USC Environmental Health and Safety (323-442-2200). This office serves all USC employees, including faculty, staff, student employees, fellows, postdocs, and volunteers.

The USC Office of the Ombuds (213-821-9556, upcombuds@usc.edu) provides a safe place for faculty, students, and staff to navigate policies, issues, concerns, and conflicts without fear of reprisal or judgement.

For issues related to workplace discrimination or harassment due to sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity or expression), race, color, nationality and ethnic origin, disability, age, religion, and other protected classes, contact the USC Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX (213-740-5086, eeotix@usc.edu).

Staff can report concerns to their manager and, if needed, escalate the complaint under the USC Staff Complaint Process.

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 and Diverse Excellence and University Diversity Liaison, by emailing her directly at dwolter@usc.edu. 

Please note that some violations may prompt further investigation but reports of violations can be made anonymously at any of the resource offices listed above.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA)

Subscribe to our Newsletter