USC was honored this summer for its commitment to faculty and staff, demonstrated by professional workshops, individual counseling and consultation.

The California Psychological Association awarded USC its 2008 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award "for outstanding efforts to foster employee health and well-being while enhancing organizational performance."

"This recognition is affirmation of the outstanding work that we all do on a daily basis that makes USC a great place to work," said John Gaspari, executive director of the Center for Work and Family Life.

The center applied for this award on behalf of the university, but the association's decision was influenced by the leadership interview it conducted with staff and faculty leaders from across the campus, Gaspari said.

The center, which is affiliated with the USC School of Social Work, provides services for USC faculty, staff and their families to help ensure a healthy balance between their personal and professional lives.

The center organizes such activities as a book club, parenting group and Weight Watchers meetings. It also helps employees understand leave policies, family benefits and tenure guidelines. And the center provides free, confidential counseling.

The Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award, part of a national program, was announced last spring and presented to USC administrators in June.

Last year the association gave the Center for Work and Family Life a best practices award.