Directory of Sustainability Programs and Groups

Do you want to be listed? Fill out the form

Scholarship/Funding

Research Center/Study

School/Program

Operations/Department

Student Organization

University-wide Initiative

Event

Scholarships, Fellowships, Extension, Internships and Funding

Presidential Sustainability Solutions Fellowship

The Presidential Sustainability Solutions Fellowship program plays a central role in USC’s Assignment: Earth framework.

EH Matters

EH MATTERS offers USC undergraduate students from under-represented groups a paid, two-year, three-semester per year internship to engage in environmental health sciences and community health disparities research.

Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) hosts the annual conference, and USC Office of Sustainability provides funding for students to attend.

President’s Sustainability Internship Program (PSIP)

PSIP is a paid internship that connects students with co-curricular learning opportunities and equips them to become advocates for sustainability at USC and beyond.

Student Scholarships, Fellowships & Internships

Explore the variety of sustainability-related scholarships, fellowships, internships, and project funding for students across disciplines provided by USC and external grantors.

Sustainability Research and Extension opportunities for undergraduates at USC

Sustainability Research and Extension Experience for Undergraduates

USC offers year-round training and research and development engagement in the science and practice of aquaculture and blue economy at the Algal Lab at the Port of Los Angeles.

Udall Undergraduate Scholarship

The Udall Foundation awards scholarships to sophomores and juniors for leadership, public service and commitment to Native American nations or to the environment.

Undergraduate Sustainability Grand Challenge Fellowship Program (USGCF)

The Center for Sustainability Solutions sponsors a fellowship for USC students to pursue multidisciplinary research on sustainability.

Inspired by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, teams of students meet with local organizations working on solutions to support vulnerable populations and compete for a $50K grand prize.

Research Center or Study

Annenberg Innovation Lab

We are a curious, creative and committed Think & Do Tank that practices innovation as a collaborative exploration involving artists, scientists, humanists and industry professionals.

Center for Sustainability Solutions

The Center for Sustainability Solutions develops policy, technological and behavioral solutions to the most pressing sustainability problems of the region and the world.

Center on Science, Technology, and Public Life

The Center on Science, Technology, and Public Life serves as a platform for collaborative research, graduate training, and public engagement on problems at the intersection of science, technology, and society.

Equity Research Institute (ERI)

ERI uses data analysis to power social change with an emphasis on the impacts of climate change, air pollution, and urban heat zones on communities of color.

Institute on Inequalities in Global Health

The Institute fosters inclusive approaches to sustainability that engage a range of disciplines, including medicine, public health, law, social science, human rights, sustainability, economics, policy, communications and social work.

Landscape Justice Initiative

The Landscape Justice Initiative (LJI) provides a chance for students to participate in service-learning and long-term projects that depend on sustained engagement with local and regional communities.

Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute

The Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute is at the forefront of carbon dioxide capture and conversion technologies. The Institute is also active in energy storage technologies.

Norman Lear Center

The Center’s Media Impact Project conducts research on the content, audiences, and impact of media narratives to inform and inspire storylines on health, sustainability and social justice.

Office of Research

USC offers faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and research administrators a wide range of internal and external funding sources for sustainability research, guides through the proposal and award lifecycle, grants management tools.

Southern California Environmental Health Sciences Center (SCEHSC)

SCEHSC develops the scientific knowledge base, investigator teams, and community engagement needed to reduce diseases and disability caused by environmental impacts.

USC Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication

USC Annenberg’s Center for Climate Journalism and Communication trains journalists, professionals and students to tackle climate change stories with expertise from the school’s renowned journalism and communication faculty.

Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies

The Wrigley Institute offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, research opportunities, and signature events to train the next generation of environmental leaders.

School or Program

Chan Division of Occupational Science & Therapy

Chan faculty and students coordinate the USC Peace Garden Project, transforming a little-used plot of land into a flourishing garden space to host educational programs for the community.

Department of Middle East Studies

The department focuses on the role of the environment on social change in the Middle East. Faculty and students have a distinctive framework through which they explore more traditional topics such as politics, ethnicity and religion.

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Faculty and students in the USC Dornsife Department of Physics are making sustainability breakthroughs in biological charge transfer and biological fuel cells, water quality and safety, and generating electricity from waste.

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences

Dornsife is the home to many of USC’s environmental degree programs, academic studies, research institutes, and student and faculty-led projects on sustainability, climate change, and green living.

Dornsife Office of Overseas Studies

Students participate in virtual summer internships that focus on UN Sustainable Development Goals, and can also spend a semester abroad focused on environmental sustainability in Australia, Ecuador (Galapagos Islands), or Tanzania.

Environmental Studies Program

The Environmental Studies Program at USC Dornsife offers majors, minors, and masters programs in environment and sustainability with the goal of educating the next generation of leaders.

Keck School of Medicine

Keck School of Medicine of USC is conducting vital research on the impacts of environmental change to health in our local community and across the globe. The Keck School is working on solutions to make the health care industry more sustainable.

Marshall School of Business

Marshall offers a Certificate in Sustainability in Business that prepares students to shape solutions to social and environmental sustainability challenges.

School of Architecture

The School of Architecture’s degree and certification programs, innovation labs, and environmental justice initiatives are at the forefront of research and education on sustainability and the built environment.

School of Cinematic Arts

Programs and media labs instruct filmmaking through a sustainability lens. The Green Film School helps develop environment-related productions and administers the “Green Seal” approval of student films.

Sol Price School of Public Policy

Through path-breaking research and scholarship, and a Certificate in Sustainable Policy and Planning, faculty and students help improve the quality of life for our global community.

Viterbi School of Engineering

Viterbi’s green technologies programs, research institutes, and faculty/student projects are designing innovative products and systems to promote environmental sustainability in the global community.

USC Operations or Department

Athletics

The USC Athletics Department is committed to sustainability in sports venues and operations and has joined the U.N. Sports for Climate Action initiative to raise awareness of climate change.

Auxiliary Services

Auxiliary Services manages a wide range for services — from dinning to housing to bookstores to transportation — and maintains a overall sustainability mission and practice in delivering services to the USC community.

Bookstore

The USC Bookstore has a goal to implement green infrastructure and operations. We focus on waste diversion/aversion, water/energy conservation and “Scope 3” (indirect carbon emissions) supply chain assessment.

Business Services / Sustainable Purchasing

USC Business Services supports sustainability by buying green products and services, applying best environmental practices in procurement, and using a green certification process for purchases.

Facilities Planning and Management

Facilities Planning and Management (FPM) is responsible for USC’s built environment, including the design of new buildings, managing facilities and grounds, and water and energy usage reduction.

Hospitality

USC Hospitality meets the needs of the campus without compromising the environment. We reduce our impact by eliminating excess waste, purchasing sustainable products and educating our customers.

Hotel

The USC Hotel is Green Seal certified with a silver ranking (recognizing our environmental sustainability). We focus on waste management, energy/water conservation and plastic reduction/elimination.

Housing

We are committed to the needs of our residents, while preserving the environment in everything we do. We focus on upgrading energy systems, improving water and waste management, recycling and purchasing.

USC Human Resources, Equity and Compliance Office

Human Resource Equity and Compliance

HREC participates in sustainability efforts, including recycling, transitioning to digital systems, and implementing a standard equipment turnover and e-waste program.

LA Memorial Coliseum

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum ranks as one of the most sustainable sports venues in the country. For a stadium with a capacity of more than 75,000, that’s no small feat. Trojan fans cheer for victories in a Zero Waste facility.

Transportation

USC Transportation’s sustainability initiatives include campus electrification of the bus fleet and campus vehicles. We also support alternate modes of transportation to campus.

Student Organizations

American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists

AAEES is a professional organization for students that brings professional resources and opportunities to USC students and fosters community between environmental engineers and scientists.

American Lung Association Collegiate Council (ALA)

ALACC strives to improve two core aspects within our community: health and the environment. Members of ALACC take on exciting projects from tobacco control to making change with government legislators.

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

The ASCE Chapter at USC is a student-run organization that enriches the lives of civil and environmental engineering students through events, community service, industry interaction and competitions.

Bloom Boutique

Bloom Boutique is a funky, thrifty resale boutique run by USC students united by love for fashion and the planet, born out of a desire to bring sustainable fashion to our community and cut down on waste caused by the fast fashion industry.

Associated Students of Planning and Development (ASPD)

ASPD is dedicated to promoting academic and professional development, fostering social relationships among planning students and advancing social equity in the planning profession.

Annenberg Media Earth Desk

The Annenberg Media Earth Desk is a student-led multiplatform news media focused on climate and sustainability. Get the latest updates delivered to your inbox! Sign up for the newsletter.

Blueprints for Pangea

Blueprints For Pangaea is a student-run nonprofit organization that reallocates excess, unused medical supplies from U.S. hospitals to areas of need both locally and overseas.

China Entrepreneur Network (CEN at USC)

CEN at USC aims to develop leadership, facilitate innovation and encourage entrepreneurship for a better, environmentally sustainable future.

CLOVER

CLOVER (Conscientious Living Organization – Veganism, Environmentalism, Reduce-tarianism) has a goal to lessen our negative impact on the Earth, animals, and our own health.

DivestSC

DivestSC is a coalition of students, alumni, faculty and staff that seeks to reduce USC’s ties to the fossil fuel industry. We believe that USC must become a leader in helping shift to a carbon-neutral economy.

ECO JEDIS

ECO JEDIS (Environmental Community Organization for Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Sustainability) focuses on local environmental and social justice issues.
Contact: Tonalli Gallegos-Solorzano

Energy & Environmental Law Society

EELS brings together students interested in environmental and energy law, green energy policies and social justice. We explore real estate, land use, water and construction law.
Contact: Brandon Kerns

Environmental Justice Student Interest Group

We raise awareness about the link between non-sustainable systems and their inequitable public health impact and partner with our local community.
Contact: environmentaljustice.keck@gmail.com

Environmental Student Assembly

ESA encourages and facilitates the academic, pre-professional, cultural, social and political self-realization of USC’s environmental student groups. ESA advances and develops the campus green culture.

Food Recovery Network (FRN)

Food Recovery Network unites college and university students in fighting food waste and hunger by recovering and redistributing surplus perishable food from their campuses and surrounding communities.

Graduate Student Government – Sustainability Committee

The Sustainability Committee allows students a more direct medium for voicing sustainability-related concerns at USC.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

ITE is a group of student engineers, planners, and thinkers who work with industry experts to reimagine the streetscape and engage in a dialogue with other ITE teams all over the country.

Los Angeles Community Impact (LACI)

LACI strives to provide pro-bono consulting services to local socially-minded organizations in order to enhance their ability to create a sustainable, tangible impact.

Marshall Energy Club (MEC)

The Marshall Energy & Sustainability Club (MESC) is a professional club focused on business roles in energy, clean-tech, and sustainability.
Contact: mba.merc.club@marshall.usc.edu

Marshall Outdoor Club

The Marshall Outdoor Club serves as a catalyst to get MBA students active in the environment, educate them on outdoor skills and etiquette, and connect them with other students outside of the urban setting.

MASH Magazine

The MASH Magazine is a fashion publication that dissects fashion through the lens of market performance, sustainability, ethics, and design, covering large companies as well as small and local businesses and designers.

Nemirovsky & Bohnett Residential Colleges

Students seek innovative solutions for a broad range of social issues such as homelessness, gun violence, diversity & inclusion, college access, and sustainability.
Contact: resed@usc.edu

Ostrow Sustainability Group

OSG raises environmental and sustainability awareness among the School of Dentistry and USC community. OSG creates opportunities for personal, academic, and professional development.
Contact: Natalie Black

Peaks and Professors

We are an organization dedicated to bringing USC students and professors together in the great outdoors. Join us on a wide variety of hikes and you’ll get to meet students and professors from all over USC’s departments with nature as the backdrop.

SC Garden Club / Parkside Garden

The SC Garden Club manages the Parkside Garden, a community garden featuring raised beds, aquaponics and composting facilities that is always accepting kitchen scraps. We are open for visitors and welcome volunteers.

SC Outfitters

SC Outfitters is a student-run outdoor adventure organization. Our mission is to foster a diverse and inclusive outdoor community while connecting as many students as possible with the wilderness of Southern California, the West and beyond.

SC Solar Car Team

The SC Solar Car Team was founded in 2014. Our team’s goal is to design, build, fund, and race a full-size solar-powered vehicle in the Formula Sun Grand Prix and American Solar Challenge races.

Science Policy Group

The Science Policy Group examines how policy affects science, how science can be translated into policy, and how to improve your own science communication skills. Everyone from any discipline is welcome. We host seminars, workshops and events.

Society for Earth Science Students/Sigma Gamma Epsilon

The Society for Earth Science Students builds community in and out of the earth science department for people passionate understanding and taking care of our natural environment.
Contact: usc.sess@gmail.com

Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

A subcommittee of the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability (PWG), the SCC provides recommendations on how USC can become a model for sustainability in its education, research, and campus operations.

Students for Environmental Action (SEA)

SEA is a student-led organization geared towards advocating for environmental change and encouraging everyone to engage in sustainable practices.

Surfrider Foundation – USC Chapter

The Surfrider Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and appreciation of the world’s oceans, waves, and beaches through a powerful activist network.

The Sustainability Project

The Sustainability Project educates others on the importance of sustainability in business, advocates for greener policies and projects in our community and connects people who are passionate about the cause.

Undergraduate Student Government

The USG Sustainability Committee serves as the liaison between the administration and students, and ensures students are aware of important sustainability changes and available resources.

USC Global Policy Institute

USC GPI is a student-run think tank and community education institute dedicated to the study of foreign affairs. We bring together faculty, students, policymakers and intellectuals to discuss pressing global and climate change issues.

University-wide Initiative or Program

Arts & Climate Collective

The Arts & Climate Collective (ACC) centers arts, culture and storytelling to address sustainability and environmental justice. The ACC supports USC students’ work and engagement with funding, guidance, communications and community support.

Academic Senate

The Academic Senate’s Committee on Sustainability researches and advocates ways that USC can make all of its policies and operations more consistent with environmental sustainability on a university-wide and school-by-school level.

Dornsife Public Exchange

Public Exchange connects a wide range of academic researchers with policy, industry and non-profit partners that need their expertise to tackle complex challenges and amplify the social impact of academic research.

Eco-Alarm: A USC Podcast

USC students with a passion for our planet interview environmental change makers and share stories of environmental progress and success to sound the alarm for practical change.

MASTS (Media As SocioTechnical Systems)

MASTS is an interdisciplinary community that aims to rigorously and playfully build better media infrastructures, strengthen public life, advance social justice and address the worsening climate crisis.

Presidential Working Group on Sustainability in Education, Research, and Operations (PWG)

The PWG provides recommendations on how USC can become a model for sustainability in its education, research and campus operations.

Skill Up

Skill Up by USC Online is an online, lifelong-learning platform offering short professional advancement courses designed to address career skills gaps in informal learning alongside a community of peers.

Sustainability Across the Curriculum Initiative

The Sustainability Across the Curriculum Initiative (SACI) supports the development of new courses, programs, and curricular approaches that focus on sustainability through grants, producing symposia, and providing resources.

Trojan Family Magazine

USC Trojan Family Magazine is the official publication for alumni, parents and friends of USC. We share stories about the faculty, staff, student, and alumni efforts to advance sustainability and innovative solutions.

USC Center for Work and WorkWell Center

Center for Work and Family Life is the hub for Faculty and Staff work/life wellness and resources that empower employees to be engaged, productive and happy.

USC Communities

USC is committed to spreading sustainability solutions to the community surrounding our Los Angeles campuses through civic engagement projects and the Good Neighbors grants program.

USC Online

USC is committed to providing greater access to cutting-edge technology and a 21st century approach to learning. USC Online offers graduate degrees, certificates, seminars and upskilling.

USC Staff Assembly

Staff Assembly exists to promote the growth and welfare of staff employees. We research and provide recommendations on any and all matters related to staff work environment, benefits and policies.

USC Urban Trees Initiative

The USC Urban Trees Initiative partners USC experts and students with the City of Los Angeles to guide the growth of an urban forest of shade trees that benefit the health and quality of life for local communities.

USC Well-being Collective

The USC Well-being Collective harnesses the power of Collective Impact to strengthen a campus culture of well-being. We bring together departments, administrative units, student organizations and non-profits to work towards a common agenda.

Event