WELCOME
TO THE RESIDENTS OF
McCARTHY HONORS RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE
FOUR PILLARS OF THE RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE EXPERIENCE • Life of the Mind • Life of the Body • Life of Service • Sense of Belonging
CARDINAL & GOLD EVENTS
Cardinal & Gold events take place every Thursday and Friday night and are free to all residential students. There are activities and outings for every interest — from feature film screenings in McCarthy Quad to evening hikes in Griffith Park to concerts at LA Live. Be on the lookout for the weekly schedule of events in the Fall!
WELCOME!
We are incredibly excited to welcome you into your new residential college home in the beautiful USC Village. We hope you are looking forward to meeting and living among 540 of your peers in this vibrant, prideful and scholarly living-learning community. With diverse programming opportunities, faculty and staff support, and a community of honors students as your neighbors, we’re confident that you’ll feel at home in no time! HISTORY AND CULTURE
McCarthy Honors Residential College is a dynamic, tight-knit community of scholars who share a commitment to rigorous intellectual and academic achievement. McCarthy Honors Residential College provides a bridge between the residential and academic experience. Students will engage in programs and conversations that promote innovative thinking and challenge them to explore all branches of knowledge. Students living in McCarthy Honors Residential College will have direct contact with Faculty in Residence as well as faculty, advisors, and experts across disciplines. Unique experiences in this Residential College will include connecting students to research opportunities and an early move-in focusing on community building and the holistic development of high achieving students. McCarthy Honors Residential College will create a peer network of student scholars who are successful in balancing involvement in academic and social activities.
TO THE RESIDENTS OF
McCARTHY HONORS RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE
MEET THE FACULTY & STAFF OF McCARTHY HONORS Faculty in Residence serve as your mentors, advisers, and advocates. They facilitate and lead the academic focus, in partnership with the Residential Education staff, for your living-learning community. Residential Education staff work to support your holistic development and success at USC. They directly supervise your resident assistants, develop community through programming, resolve conflict through mediation, and serve as resources for residents.
JOHN PASCARELLA FACULTY IN RESIDENCE
TRISHA TUCKER FACULTY IN RESIDENCE
Pascarella is an associate professor in the USC Rossier School of Education and an expert in teacher education, with an emphasis on new media literacies and critical theory. He earned a PhD in culture and values in education from McGill University, a master’s in teaching from Montclair State University, and a bachelor’s in English literature and African American studies from the University of Central Florida. Pascarella taught high school English language arts and literature in inner city Newark and Paterson, NJ, and graduate courses in education for more than 12 years. Since 2012, he has served as faculty in residence for South Residential College, where he started College Access Day to improve college knowledge, access, and success for USC neighboring high school sophomores and juniors.
Tucker has an extensive history with honors education at USC: as an undergraduate studying English, film, and music, she lived in an earlier incarnation of USC honors housing. Today, she is an assistant professor in the Thematic Option Honors Program, where she teaches classes on banned books, depictions of evil children in literature and film, and the novels you absolutely must read before you die. Tucker also oversees the honors writing program and serves as president of the Dornsife Faculty Council. She holds a PhD in English; her specialties include nineteenth-century British literature, women’s popular writing, Evangelicalism, and secularization. Her previous career was in journalism, where she wrote primarily about film and popular culture, interests she shares with her husband—filmmaker and New York Times best-selling graphic novelist (and fellow Trojan)—Rick Ross.
SALLY BEHPOORNIA RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE COORDINATOR Behpoornia was born and raised in Southern California, and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master’s degree in postsecondary administration and student affairs from the USC Rossier School of Education. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership at USC. She was a graduate assistant in residential education for two years before joining the department full time in 2015. Behpoornia is committed to providing an incredible residential experience to our students, and wants to help students navigate a successful transition to college. Some of her passion areas outside of work include exploring different parts of Los Angeles, attending sporting events, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.
JASMINE JEFFERIES GRADUATE RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE COORDINATOR Jefferies, who goes by “Jas,” was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She completed her bachelor’s degree in professional writing and rhetoric with a minor in sociology at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. She is currently pursuing a master of education degree in postsecondary administration and student affairs at USC Rossier School of Education. As a resident assistant for two years, she developed a passion for first-year students and their transition into becoming a part of the campus community. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, grabbing a smoothie, and having random dance parties. While learning and serving at USC, she is interested in exploring Los Angeles and adapting to life on the West Coast.
MORE ABOUT LIFE IN McCARTHY HONORS EARLY MOVE-IN & MCCARTHY HONORS RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE RETREAT
McCarthy Honors residents are expected to move in on Monday, August 13th between 8am and 3pm. Following check-in, there will be a McCarthy Family & Friends Reception at 3pm hosted by our Faculty in Residence. That evening, you will have a mandatory floor meeting from 7-8pm, followed by the McCarthy Welcome Event from 8-10pm. On Tuesday, August 14th, all residents will be attending an all-day McCarthy Retreat. The retreat is an awesome day filled with events both on and off campus! We will provide all meals and transportation for the day. TUESDAY’S TEA
Tuesday’s Tea is a weekly event for all residents of the USC Village. Our Faculty in Residence host guest speakers that fit the theme of their Residential College. This allows all residents a chance to engage in a variety of topic areas. Tuesday’s Teas in the past have included speakers from the film industry, popular podcasters, a civil
rights attorney, and a former international diplomat among others. Tuesday’s Teas always offer tea (of course), coffee, and light snacks. B-REEL: VILLAGE DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE
During the spring semester, one full week is devoted to a documentary festival. Documentaries screened represent the themes of our Residential Colleges. The final night of B-REEL ends with an outdoor screening on our Great Lawn with food trucks and other fun activities. VACAY @ THE VILLAGE
Vacay @ the Village takes place during the spring and focuses on wellness with a spa-like ambience. Village residents participate and learn more about ways they can maintain wellness and well-being via yoga, eating tips, and relaxation activities. There are opportunities to sample healthy food options, make your own facials, and get your nails done!
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK UTAH
Alternative Spring Break Utah is a service-based trip that aims to address issues concerning animal rights. In partnership with the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest animal society in the nation which houses around 1,600 homeless animals, ASB Utah will do service projects including trail work, light landscaping, painting and cleaning dog and cat buildings as well as have a chance to work hands-on with the animals at the sanctuary. You will also have the chance to explore Kanab, Utah which is known for its beautiful scenery and outdoor adventures. Ten McCarthy Honors students will be invited to attend. Look out for applications in Fall semester! MCCARTHY HONORS ARROWHEAD TRIP
The McCarthy Arrowhead trip takes place in late spring semester. Our trip includes cabin lodge accommodations, hiking, exploring Lake Gregory, spending time at Lake Arrowhead Village, campfire storytelling, and time with your McCarthy friends, staff, and faculty. All lodgings, meals, and transportation are covered.
GET INVOLVED! RESIDENTIAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION (RHA)
Founded in 1988, Residential Housing Association (RHA) serves all students who live in USC Housing by providing them with ways to enhance and contribute to their residential experience at the University of Southern California. One of the largest organizations on campus, RHA strives to build community, empower residents, and create opportunities for academic success and leadership development. RHA acts as a resource by coordinating and promoting all phases of student development and self-government, while representing the residential community on both regional and national levels. Check out the RHA welcome back event during Welcome Week! COMMUNITY COUNCIL
Do you want to gain valuable leadership experience while making lasting friendships, planning events, and serving as a resource to your fellow residents? Consider joining Community Council! Community Councils are responsible for a wide variety of fun, social, and engaging programs throughout the academic year for their individual communities. Student leaders are elected or appointed into their Community Council by their peers. Community Council members represent their residents at Residential Housing Association (RHA) meetings and gain valuable leadership experience!
CAMPUS RESOURCES OFFICE FOR RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION
STU 200 213-740-2080
CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
SKS 410 213-740-5693
HOUSING
OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE
620 McCarthy Way 213-740-8488
URC 106 213-740-6110
USC STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN STUDENT SERVICES
Engemann Student Health Center 1031 W. 34th St. 213-740-9355
STU 410 213-740-4999
CENTER FOR BLACK CULTURAL AND STUDENT AFFAIRS
STU 415 213-740-8257 EL CENTRO CHICANO
STU 402 213-740-1480 LGBT RESOURCE CENTER
STU 202B 213-740-7619
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