NAI scholars, Karen, 17, and Kenia, 18, from Foshay Learning Center, have won this year’s nationwide Dickens Project essay competition and are featured in the LA Times and KPCC….Continue Reading NAI scholars are awarded Charles Dickens scholarship
Sixty-five high school seniors graduated from USC’s intensive college-prep program, the Neighborhood Academic Initiative, this year: a new record for the 23-year-old program. …Continue Reading USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative honors record number of young graduates
Graduating senior, Jasmine Torres, and USC NAI Scholar ’09 was featured by La Opinion for her work in helping launch the Trojan Guardian Scholars. She will keynote this year’s NAI Gala with USC Athletic Director Pat Haden….Continue Reading Advocating for college-bound foster care youth
A fifth-grade class assignment dramatically changed the life of Jonathan Ruiz and his family. Jonathan”s teacher at 28th Street School assigned his class to apply for admission to the flagship program of USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI). Through NAI’s Pre-College Enrichment Academy, disadvantaged middle- and high-school students receive extensive academic training and other support that have led…Continue Reading Academic Advancement That’s All in the Family
Gene Simmons once taught 6h grade in New York City’s Spanish Harlem, and on Thursday, November 7, he returned to the classroom and led a class of 60 Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI) scholars….Continue Reading Gene Simmons visits NAI
By Pamela J. Johnson As a 9-year-old girl growing up in California’s San Fernando Valley, América Ferrera remembers lying in bed, dreaming of fame and diamonds. “That’s a 9-year-old’s fantasy of celebrity,” Ferrera said in a keynote address to more than 250 people who attended the 40th anniversary celebration of USC Dornsife’s Joint Educational Project…Continue Reading ‘JEP Sparked a Flame in Me’
Freshman Tristan Baizar achieved his dream of enrolling at USC, and he gives USC employees some of the credit for it. Baizar, a graduate of USC’s Neighborhood Academic Initiative, spoke at a dinner for supporters of USC’s Good Neighbors Campaign….Continue Reading The spirit of giving, 1.6 million times over
Neighborhood Academic Initiative scholars think critically about their environment as they try to make sense of the world. Their ‘photo voice’ research challenges false stereotypes about inner-city kids….Continue Reading Children of shadow and light
Volunteer mentors provide are matched with a high school student to coach them on the college application process, intensive writing and study skills at improving their chances of success in college come fall….Continue Reading USC Rossier outreach programs provide students a bridge to college
Tristan Baizar’s check-in process was fast — from past camps and programs, the 18-year-old South Los Angeles resident knew how to move into USC’s dorms. Except this was the real deal….Continue Reading LA Times follows NAI scholar Tristan Baizar’s first day at USC