RICK NEWMYER joined the faculty in 2011. He is a senior lecturer in the Department of Social Change and Innovation. He is the co-lead instructor for management and organizational development. He also teaches courses in policy and advocacy, leadership, practice with transition-age youth, social policy, program development and grant writing. Prior to joining USC, Newmyer spent two decades developing and administering programs for children, youth and families. His experience includes counseling, administration, facilitation, community organizing, governmental relations, social advocacy, communications and fundraising. In 1996, Newmyer helped organize nonpartisan youth conventions in San Diego and Chicago to coincide with the Republican and Democratic conventions. From 1996 to 1998, he organized an emerging leaders program with young people from more than 40 countries. Participants discussed global issues with heads of state, Nobel Laureates, scientists, business leaders and other influential citizens, including Mikhail Gorbachev, Jane Goodall, Oscar Arias, Desmond Tutu, Benazir Bhutto and Marian Wright Edelman. He spent 10 years at Toussaint Youth Villages administering a group home and transitional living program for transition-age youth. During his tenure, the program achieved a 90 percent rate of college and post-secondary education enrollment for program graduates. Newmyer has been recognized by the National Association of Social Workers Region E, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency and Western States Youth Services Network for his social activism and work with homeless and foster youth. In 2013, NASW Region E named him Educator of the Year.