Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

At the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, we aspire to promote anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion in our courses and professional practice. We value the diverse backgrounds and perspectives that our students, faculty and staff bring as strengths and resources that enrich the academic and learning experience. We offer and value inclusive learning in the classroom and beyond. We are respectful of diversity in all forms, including race, ethnicity, culture, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ability and disability, socioeconomic status, religion, and political perspectives. Collectively, we aspire to co-create a brave space to critically examine individual and collective sources of bias, prejudice, discrimination, and systematic oppression that affect the ability of people and communities to thrive. In this way, we fulfill our professional responsibility to practice the NASW Code of Ethics, abide by the CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, and address the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, Grand Challenges for Social Work.

Honoring Ancestral People & Land

The Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California acknowledges our presence on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Gabrielino-Tongva peoples. We recognize that these Peoples were forcibly removed from their homelands. We take this opportunity to acknowledge the generations that have gone before as well as the present-day Gabrielino-Tongva people. With humility, we recognize and respect all Indigenous peoples, their histories, and their ties to the land.

We also recognize the Chumash, Tataviam, Serrano, Cahuilla, Juaneno, and Luiseno People for the land that USC occupies around Southern California. We pay respects to their past and present.

Let this acknowledgment serve as an ongoing reminder of the original inhabitants where you reside.

We stand in solidarity with transgender and nonbinary youth and their families.

DEI efforts at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work are led by Ann Marie Yamada, PhD, associate dean of inclusion and diversity and associate professor.

The associate dean for inclusion and diversity is responsible for broad oversight of issues and strategic planning for initiatives that result in fair and equal opportunity and practice in recruitment and hiring, admissions, retention, career development and training for all faculty, staff, and students within the school.

Need support? Get in touch!

Email: sswodel@usc.edu
Phone: 1-213-740-3459