Our Communities

A Message from USC President C. L. Max Nikias

Long ago, the Trojan Family realized that USC’s strength as a great university depends on its ability to be a good neighbor.

To this end, we are dedicated to supporting healthy, vibrant and engaged communities around our University Park and Health Sciences campuses. We work diligently to enrich the lives of local families and provide programs for area schoolchildren. We also promote small business development and economic growth, while instilling in our students a profound commitment to participation in civic life.

In conjunction with our neighbors, USC currently offers some 400 community engagement programs. These programs encompass everything from health promotion to business assistance and job creation, from neighborhood safety to tutoring and educational enrichment.

In my first months as president, I visited our K-12 partners in the USC Family of Schools program. This partnership comprises USC and 15 schools in the local neighborhoods, and reaches more than 15,000 young students near our campuses. As I met with students, teachers and administrators, I was overwhelmed by their warmth and kindness, and was quickly reminded: The ties between USC and its surrounding communities are both profound and deep.

The Trojan Family plays a pivotal role in all of these programs. Through the USC Good Neighbors Campaign, dedicated Trojans have raised a remarkable $12.5 million to support community programs over the past 18 years. In fall 2011, our goal is to raise $1.4 million to continue this transformative work.

I believe our efforts make a tremendous and meaningful difference, and I look forward to working with you to advance this successful partnership.

C. L. Max Nikias
President
University of Southern California