USC Annenberg’s Center on Communication Leadership and Policy (CCLP), together with partners from across USC, is launching an innovative training program that empowers election and campaign officials nationwide to reinforce their defenses against digital attacks that may affect the integrity and outcome of elections.

Sophomore Julio Martinez never imagined — or expected — that he would be studying communication at USC Annenberg. Then, two years ago, in the summer before his senior year at Valley Christian High School, Martinez was invited to be one of 26 students for the inaugural Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement program, otherwise known as AYA.

Even before Ruby Yuan set foot on campus, he knew what type of education he wanted to get. The journalism major, who will be graduating in 2020, was interested to find the intersection between journalism and technology and he knew USC Annenberg was the place to explore this.

When Jessica Flores had the opportunity to report on the recovery from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico one year after the storm, she knew what topic she wanted to pursue.

Two second-year master’s degree students in the strategic public relations program are taking advantage of every opportunity as they pursue their degrees. Vivien Li spent her summer studying abroad in Hong Kong, working for a public relations firm. She was there during the protests against China and found it “eye-opening to be in Hong Kong at a time when so much history was happening.”

When Houston-area native Kaleigh Finnie was searching for the ideal college experience back in 2013, it quickly became clear that USC was the best fit.

The Annenberg Youth Academy for Media and Civic Engagement is a four-week summer intensive academy for 26 talented high school students from the communities surrounding the USC University Park and Health Science campuses. Students are exposed to the equivalent of first-year college-level courses and develop a rich conceptual understanding and practice of the necessary role that media, communications and journalism play in fashioning civic-minded thought leaders and innovators.

Special donor-supported funds at the school became a financial lifeline for senior Savanna Mesch, keeping her on track for graduation.