About»Mission And Vision

Mission and Vision

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.

Our mission is to lead the expansive field of communication through groundbreaking scholarship, teaching and public service in a complex global multicultural environment. We consider this mission to be inseparable from our commitment to human dignity, which is embedded in our legacy.

Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg founded this school with a deep understanding of the power of communication embodied in these words: “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.”

This vision is reflected in our areas of research and practice, our curricula, and our engagement with our local and global communities. Advancing our core disciplines of communication, journalism, public relations and public diplomacy requires an embrace of the world’s complexity, attentiveness to all manners of difference, and respect for the dignity of every human being. 

Through collaboration and continuous growth, we strive to create an environment where individual voices are valued, diverse perspectives are considered and meaningful dialogue flourishes. Rooted in our history, embraced in our present and guiding our future, this commitment supports a culture of inclusive excellence and transformative learning for our students, faculty and staff.

About

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

At USC Annenberg, we consider our mission inseparable from our commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence. We define 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. This commitment shapes our community and culture, and is reflected across our research and practice, curricula, and engagement with our local and global partners.

1,200+

students and industry partners have completed the Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations course, which prepares communications professionals to create and support inclusive work environments.

$2.5M

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

Our community

34% %
of full-time faculty are from underrepresented ethnic groupsThis figure represents a nearly 10% increase from faculty representation in 2013. The full-time faculty body is 12% Black, 10% Latine, 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. The full-time faculty body is 12% Black, 10% Latine, 8% Asian, 1% Pacific Islander, and 66% white — approaching, and in some cases exactly reflecting, national demographics.
54% %
of staff come from underrepresented ethnic groupsUSC Annenberg’s staff is approximately 9% Black, 18% Latine, 16% Asian, 3% Pacific Islander, and 30% white.
USC Annenberg’s staff is approximately 9% Black, 18% Latine, 16% Asian, 3% Pacific Islander, and 30% white.
55% %
of undergraduate students come from underrepresented ethnic backgroundsUSC Annenberg’s undergraduate student body is approximately 25% Asian and Pacific Islander, 18% Latine, 11% Black, 36% white, and 7% two or more races. In addition, more than 350 are first-generation college students.
USC Annenberg’s undergraduate student body is approximately 25% Asian and Pacific Islander, 18% Latine, 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 backgroundsUSC Annenberg’s graduate student body is approximately 48% Asian and Pacific Islander, 17% Latine, 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.
USC Annenberg’s graduate student body is approximately 48% Asian and Pacific Islander, 17% Latine, 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 Difference and Empowerment in the Arts (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.

An African-American student looks at her computer for Charlotte Bass Lab.

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.

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Our commitment in action

Person looking at laptop computer with chart and four faces on the screen

Skills-building course prepares professionals to collaborate with, manage and lead diverse teams

Managing Complexity in Diverse Organizations prepares communications professionals to create and support high-performing, inclusive environments.

Two people edit a podcast with an audio illustration in the background.

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.

A wide shot of the Paseo de la Reforma building in Mexico City.

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.