Diversity and Inclusion

Photo of two students at a news desk.

At USC Annenberg, we believe that communication provides the most effective means to navigate a world of profound and constant change.

Walter H. Annenberg founded this school with a deep understanding of the power of communication: “The right to free communication carries with it the responsibility to respect the dignity of others…. Educating students to communicate this message effectively and to be of service to all people is the enduring mission of this school.”

Guided by this vision, USC Annenberg aims to be the leading research and teaching institution focusing on issues of diversity, inclusion, equity and access in the media, communication, journalism and public relations fields. Here, every administrator, faculty member, and staff person is fully committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment, which helps us prepare students to create, sustain and thrive within diverse work environments and to tell stories about diverse populations with empathy and compassion.

These efforts are reflected in our areas of research and practice, our curricula, and our engagement with our local and global communities. Our faculty engage in anti-racist, anti-homophobic and anti-sexist work, using the arts and popular culture as conduits for cross-cultural exchange, and leveraging emerging technologies to study decision-making among diverse populations. Student-produced news outlets such as Black., Dímelo, and elevASIAN tell the stories of marginalized groups in L.A. and beyond. And our staff and faculty meet in task forces and trainings surrounding issues of diversity and inclusion to spread best practices, new knowledge, and to share ideas across boundaries. 

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is grounded in our history, embraced in our present and embedded in our future. Explore this page to learn more.

Diversity Report

USC Annenberg defines diversity as it relates to the respect and inclusion of all variations of race, nationality, gender and gender identity, difference of ability, neuro-divergence, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, and religious or political affiliations. Across our areas of research and practice, our curricula, and our engagement with our local and global communities, we are committed to diversity in all its forms.

Our mission is to lead the fields of communication, journalism and public relations in a global, multicultural environment through groundbreaking scholarship, professional work, teaching and public service. Explore our plan and accomplishments below.

Read the Diversity Plan

Or read the 2020–22 Progress Report.

500+

students, especially first-generation students and students of color, reached through the Annenberg Resources & Mentoring and Seeing ME in the Media programs since 2017.

$2.5M

awarded through Student Success Fund and Student Emergency Assistance Fund to ensure equitable access for students.

Faculty and staff by the numbers

34% %
of full-time faculty are from underrepresented ethnic groupsThis figure represents a nearly 10% increase from faculty representation in 2013. Currently, the full-time faculty body is 12% Black, 10% Latinx, 8% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander, and 66% white — approaching, and in some cases exactly reflecting, national demographics.
This figure represents a nearly 10% increase from faculty representation in 2013. Currently, the full-time faculty body is 12% Black, 10% Latinx, 8% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander, and 66% white — approaching, and in some cases exactly reflecting, national demographics.
61% %
of staff come from underrepresented ethnic groups USC Annenberg is committed to identifying and reducing potential biases in screening and hiring qualified diverse candidates among our staff and administrators.
USC Annenberg is committed to identifying and reducing potential biases in screening and hiring qualified diverse candidates among our staff and administrators.
55% %
of undergraduate students come from underrepresented ethnic backgroundsCurrently, USC Annenberg’s undergraduate student body is approximately 25% Asian and Pacific Islander, 18% Latinx|e, 11% Black, 36% white, and 7% two or more races. In addition, more than 350 are first-generation college students.
Currently, USC Annenberg’s undergraduate student body is approximately 25% Asian and Pacific Islander, 18% Latinx|e, 11% Black, 36% white, and 7% two or more races. In addition, more than 350 are first-generation college students.
75% %
of graduate students come from underrepresented ethnic backgroundsCurrently, USC Annenberg’s graduate student body is approximately 48% Asian and Pacific Islander, 17% Latinx|e, 10% Black, 18%, white, and 4% two or more races. International students comprise about 43% of graduates and are from countries such as China, India, South Korea and Mexico.
Currently, USC Annenberg’s graduate student body is approximately 48% Asian and Pacific Islander, 17% Latinx|e, 10% Black, 18%, white, and 4% two or more races. International students comprise about 43% of graduates and are from countries such as China, India, South Korea and Mexico.

Explore research centers and programs

Annenberg Inclusion Initiative

As the world’s leading think tank studying diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry, the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative publishes data-driven and theory-based research to offer targeted insight and solutions that tackle inequality in media. 

Institute for Diversity and Empowerment at Annenberg (IDEA)

IDEA explores the redemptive and transformational capacities of media, the arts and culture, with specific attention to what they illuminate about identity, difference and power.

Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab

The Bass Lab saves, studies and shares news stories and oral histories about Black social justice trailblazers on the West Coast. They connect USC Annenberg students to trusted media outlets that value Black storytelling — especially in XR.

Our commitment in action

New skills-building program prepares professionals to collaborate with, manage and lead diverse teams

The new Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations (MCDO) program prepares future communications professionals to create and support inclusive environments, and to help advance equity and representation across industries.

Student produced podcast explores L.A. Civil Unrest of 1992

The podcast series ​​Forward Together, produced by Elle Davidson, Daniel Hahm, Hanna Kang and Celine Mendiola, explores the L.A. Civil Unrest of 1992 through the stories of diverse Angelenos.

IDEAS grant supports development of USC Annenberg’s first-of-its-kind study abroad program in Latin America

With the support of the IDEAS grant, Professor of Professional Practice Amara Aguilar will design, develop and launch “MESA: Mexico Experiential Storytelling Abroad,” a dual-language, semester-long study abroad course in Mexico, to expand and diversify the school’s undergraduate student participation and engage with more diverse destinations abroad.