Associate Vice President, USC Government Programs and University Relations Initiatives
Theda is a proud alumna of USC and currently serves as the Associate Senior Vice President in University Relations. She received her Doctorate in Music Arts and Educational Psychology from USC, M.A. in Music Education and a M.A. in English As A Second Language from California State University Los Angeles, and B.A. Degree from Pepperdine University. She joined the administrative team at USC University Relations in 2011.
Theda began her professional career as a high school teacher for seven years, followed by a career with the Los Angeles Community College District for fifteen years as an instructor, Associate Dean, Dean and Interim Vice President of Student Services at Los Angeles Trade Technical College. She has always had a passion for helping the underserved population of youth who are low-income, first-generation and youth with disabilities. Her leadership with the community colleges include supervision in the following departments: Counseling Disabled Student Services, Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS), Child Development Centers, Student Health Centers, Enrollment and Admissions, CalWorks and Temporary Relief For Needed Families (TANF), 21st Century Grants, AmeriCorp Grants, Career Technical Education Initiatives and Financial Aide.
At USC her professional career and leadership includes the oversight for nine federally funded TRIO – College Access Programs, The School For Early Childhood Education-Head Start Programs and a Concurrent Enrollment Program with West Los Angeles Community College in Allied-Health, which include entry level healthcare certification in; Dental and Medical Assisting, and Pharmacy Technician for high school students. Theda has worked as a community activist to cultivate partnerships with LAUSD High Schools and Community Colleges to offer credit and non-credit transferable classes, and pipeline healthcare workforce development programs for youth in the communities that we serve.
On a personal level, Theda’s philanthropic spirit is reflective in her personal missionary global outreach efforts. She sponsors seven children in five countries; Africa. India, Philippines, El Salvador and Bolivia. For the past 15 years, she has been involved in clean water projects which has provided clear water to underserved countries around the world.
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