Office of Media Relations at the University of San Diego
November 21, 2023 | View in web browser

USD News Connect: Connecting Expert Voices to the Stories Impacting Our Community

November 21, 2023

Good morning newsrooms!

Here's your USD News Connect — where each week the University of San Diego media relations team offers expert voices to speak on stories impacting our community. If you're interested in the stories below, or need experts for any other topic you might be working on, don't hesitate to reach out to us at press@sandiego.edu.*

What to Expect this Black Friday + Cyber Monday

The National Retail Federation recently forecasted that holiday spending would grow between 3% and 4% this year, compared to last year. Online shopping is also expected to increase (up to 9% this year), however, a new study on the shopping habits of Gen Z found they shop at brick-and-mortar stores just as much as they do online. Dan Roccato, clinical professor of finance, can break all of this down and share what to expect as the holiday shopping season kicks off. Dan is available on Wednesday.

Will the City's New Organic Waste Recycling Program Help Reduce Food Waste This Thanksgiving?

Recent research found that 312 million pounds of food will be wasted this year during Thanksgiving. On top of that, the EPA found that food waste comprises nearly a quarter of our landfill and "combusted municipal solid waste." This year, the City of San Diego pushed out a new Organic Waste Recycling program to recycle food scraps. So, will it make a difference in the food waste San Diegans generate this Thanksgiving? John Alejandro, director of sustainability at USD, can discuss the negative impacts of food waste and tips for people to make environmentally conscious decisions this holiday season. In addition, Alejandro and students will be handing out food waste bags and educating students on how to properly dispose of their food waste all year long on Tuesday between 12-2 p.m.

Managing Holiday Stress

The holidays are a time of celebration, but we all know they can also cause a lot of stress -- hosting family, cooking big dinners, managing finances and more. Dr. Carrie Tremble is the director of USD's Tele-Mental Health Clinic. She works with families and individuals, and can give some tips on how to manage stressful situations this time of year.

For all media inquiries, email our team at

press@sandiego.edu.

*Our team will be off on Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

* Please note that times of availability will vary according to professors' schedules.

USD Spotlight

"At the Edge of it All" Podcast: Rethinking Justice From the Classroom to the Courtroom

David Karp, Director of the Center for Restorative Justice at USD, joined "At the Edge of it All" to talk about the growing movement to reshape how we right a wrong. He explains what restorative justice is and why that system may better serve victims of a crime or wrongdoing. Karp also just launched a master's program at USD focused on restorative justice -- one of the few of its kind in the country. Listen here.