The University of Southern California is changing the name of USC Student Affairs to USC Student Life in a move to better reflect the university’s approach to the overall student experience from day one to commencement.
“USC Student Life clearly describes the work we do to support students’ success and well-being during their time at the university,” said Monique S. Allard, vice president for student life. “Everyday life is student life. Our new name defines the work we do in accessible and approachable language.”
The name change follows the historic appointment of Allard as the university’s first vice president for student life last spring.
Next step in student development
USC appointed its first vice president for student affairs in 1973. Prior to that, various administrators, including deans of men, women and students, had oversight of student engagement and activities.
Today, USC Student Life influences the student experience during their entire tenure at the university. The six-week Trojan Welcome Experience at the beginning of each semester is aimed at building connection, engaging with new friends, learning about important resources and finding community. Students’ experience culminates with commencement season that includes a packed Grad Week and special graduation celebrations for students and their families.
These bookend experiences have expanded under Allard’s leadership. The recent revision of the student accountability process and continued investment in student spaces that facilitate community and belonging are just a few expressions of the community of care and respect championed by USC Student Life.
“I love this new name because it reflects USC’s longstanding student-centered approach,” said USC President Carol L. Folt. “I’m grateful to Dr. Allard and her team for their deep commitment to supporting Trojans at every step of their journeys.”
Student-centered values
Allard introduced the USC Student Commitment at the fall 2022 convocation. The set of statements were created cooperatively with students to reflect the community’s commitment to live out USC’s Unifying Values.
The Student Commitment and Unifying Values will remain front and center in USC Student Life’s work to develop USC’s student community. Embracing a shared language when confronting complex challenges and facilitating belonging builds and enhances trust between students and the university.
The name change to USC Student Life is one of many steps in a yearslong project aimed at reflecting USC’s student-centered focus. USC has 20,000 undergraduates and 28,000 graduate and professional students across 22 schools.
“I am excited for the opportunity to deepen and strengthen our collective work with our administrative and academic university partners to support, educate and engage our students,” Allard said. “The work we do today as USC Student Life serves our current undergraduate, graduate and professional students and lays the foundation for USC students in the decades to come.”