AME Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee

Mission

The AME DEI Committee is charged with upholding the AME department’s commitment to equity, inclusion, diversity and accessibility. We have generated a set of specific goals, plans, and intended outcomes to motivate the DEI-related activities we believe are necessary to obtain the equity and inclusion we strive for in our AME community.

Chair: Anita Penkova

Vice-Chair: Alina Coronado

Committee Members

Anita Penkova
Research Assistant Professor

Alina Coronado
Assistant Director, AME Student Affairs

Akshay Potnuru
Senior Lecturer

Bo Cheng Jin

Senior Lecturer

Emma Singer
Lecturer

Leslie King
Part-Time Lecturer

Neda Maghsoodi

Assistant Professor

Tessa Yao

Secretary

Goals

1. Have critical conversations with students, faculty, and staff to gauge departmental climate and establish a department-wide support system.

2. Host trainings for students, faculty, and staff that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

3. Use data from department-wide, school-wide and university-wide surveys to drive committee charge and create actionable goals.

4. Promote use and maximize accessibility of department-wide, school-wide and university-wide resources already available for support.

5. Develop guidelines for the PhD Admissions Committee.

6. Develop guidelines for the Faculty Search Committee.

Plan

1a. Host a semesterly Town Hall.

1b. Establish a “Committee Liaison” to serve as intermediary between stakeholders and committee.

2a. Host biweekly JEDI workshops led by the USC Student Equity and Inclusion Programs.

2b. Survey and communicate with department stakeholders on DEI concerns.

3a. Collect data from USC Institutional Research, USC Well-being Collective, and other DEI best practice resources.

3b. Host events to support underrepresented groups in AME.

4a. Create better means of communication between department stakeholders, such as a DEI webpage and liaisons.

4b. Launch DEI webpage providing information about the committee and listing available university resources.

5a. Work with the committee in the Fall 2023 semester to review and improve processes.

6a. Work with the Faculty Search Committee to bring in a diverse pool of candidates, and ensure equitable recruitment.

Intended Outcome

1. Foster open communication between department stakeholders.

2a. For everyone in the AME community to have their identities acknowledged and honored; and develop cultural awareness.

2b. Promote cultural competence to improve faculty, staff, and student relationships.

3a. Use a data-driven approach to identify and support underrepresented groups in AME.

3b. Foster a culture of belonging in AME.

4. Highlight the committee’s goals and progress, and promote AME DEI events.

5. Foster diversity in admissions and acceptances.

6. Increase faculty diversity.

Programming

Past Events

May. 02, 2023

Spring 2023 Town Hall

Apr. 14, 2023

Meet and Greet

Events Archive

Resources

USC Department of Public Safety

University Park Campus
Emergency 213-740-4321
Non-Emergency 213-740-6000
USC Village
Emergency 213-740-4321
Non-Emergency 213-740-6000
Sub-Station 213-821-6677

Trojans Care for Trojans (TC4T)

Trojans Care for Trojans (TC4T) is a private and anonymous request form that anyone can submit to connect a member of the Trojan family with the help they need. Each TC4T submission will be reviewed and responded to by a staff member from USC Campus Support & Intervention (CSI) within the Office of Campus Wellness and Crisis Intervention.

We know that many students will face difficult life events or crises during their time at USC, and it is important to know that they are not alone in those challenging times. Our office can help navigate many different situations, such as those listed below, and identify helpful resources for students. If you have additional questions or would like to speak with a CSI staff member about your specific circumstances, please contact us via our contact form or by phone at (213) 740-0411.

To learn more about what to do in the following circumstances, please visit their website:

Missing Person
Suicidal Ideation
Hospitalization
Family Emergency / Personal Tragedy
Critical Incidents
Gender-Based Concerns
Relationship Violence
Sexual Assault
Disruptive of Threatening Behavior
Harassment or Discrimination
Harassment or Bullying

(Left to Right) Zoe Ashmead, Lauren Terazawa, Alina Coronado, and Ellecia Williams

Ellecia Williams (she/her)

Director, AME Student Affairs

elleciaw@usc.edu

Lauren Terazawa (she/her)

Associate Director, AME Student Affairs

terazawa@usc.edu

Zoe Ashmead (she/her)

Associate Director, AME Student Affairs

ashmead@usc.edu

Alina Coronado (she/her)

Assistant Director, AME Student Affairs

alinacor@usc.edu

Student Health – Medical Services

At USC Student Health, students can schedule appointments for primary care as well as specialty care and services. In addition, Student Health can also help with emergencies, after-hours care, and referrals.

Student Health – Counseling and Mental Health Services

USC Counseling and Mental Health Services offers confidential services such as individual therapy, crisis support, psychiatric services, consultations, group counseling, and workshops.

Student Health – Nutrition Services

Students can schedule an appointment with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) who can help students develop an individualized plan and address challenges they may have with finding their personal healthy eating style.

Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) and Services

RSVP at USC provides immediate therapy services for situations related to gender and power-based harm (e.g., sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking).

Substance Abuse & Addiction

Students struggling with substance abuse can schedule an appointment with Student Health, Counseling and Mental Health Services, or contact an advisor from Campus Support & Intervention (CSI) for additional guidance and resources. Students who are concerned about a fellow Trojan’s alcohol and/or drug use issues may submit a TC4T request to help connect their peer with resources they may need.

The Haven is a non-USC organization with a location on campus dedicated to helping students who struggle with substance use and addiction. The Haven offers screenings and interviews to assist students with examining their alcohol and/or drug use, in addition to other programs and resources.

USC Student Equity and Inclusion Programs (SEIP) is a cluster of student development centers and initiatives within Student Affairs that offer student support services and programs that focus on intersectionality, sense of belonging and well-being. SEIP facilitates dialogue and community-building, and leads campus-wide student belonging initiatives aiming to transform the student experience.

Student Equity and Inclusion Programs consists of these departments:

Asian Pacific American Student Services
Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs
First Generation Plus Success Center
Latinx/Chicanx Center for Advocacy and Student Affairs
LGBTQ+ Student Center
Student Basic Needs
Veterans Resource Center

Office of Student Accessibility Services (OSAS)

OSAS provides support services and accommodations necessary to enable students with disabilities to develop their maximum academic potential by making their education accessible, while having the dignity to work independently.

Office of Religious & Spiritual Life

The Office of Religious and Spiritual Life sponsors a number of programs with moral, religious, or spiritual focus and provides opportunities for exploring the spiritual dimensions of life and learning. They have also compiled a list of places for reflection and worship on the USC campus.

Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity

The Kortschak Center provides support to help students make successful transitions to college through individual academic guidance, workshops, academic support groups, on-campus resource referrals, and through the availability of quiet study spaces.

Career Center – Personal Finance

Financial literacy is a key component to the overall well-being of student success. Through resources provided by the USC Career Center, students can gain understanding on how to manage their personal finances before, during, and after college.

Occupational Therapy – Lifestyle Redesign ® Program

The Lifestyle Redesign® Program for College Students provides support for USC undergraduate and graduate students in establishing health-promoting habits and routines customized to help them meet their personal goals.

Housing Law Clinic

The USC Civic Engagement Housing Law Clinic provides free professional legal services for USC students living in off-campus housing in the areas of housing discrimination, local affordable housing issues, and landlord/tenant dispute resolution.

Published on June 26th, 2023

Last updated on March 4th, 2024