Office of Media Relations at the University of San Diego
September 17, 2024 | View in web browser

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

September 17, 2024

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.*

USD & Palomar Health to Announce Transformative Partnership

Tomorrow at 11 a.m., the University of San Diego and Palomar Health are holding a press conference to announce a new partnership aimed at revolutionizing health and wellness for both the campus community and the wider San Diego region. More information about the announcement and the impact on the community will be revealed at the press event. Please RSVP to press@sandiego.edu if you would like to attend.

USD’s Children’s Advocacy Institute Urges Governor Newsom to Sign Bill to Stop Using Foster Youth Survivor Benefits to Pay for Their Care

USD’s Children’s Advocacy Institute (CAI) and more than 70 California juvenile court judges are calling for Governor Newsom to sign California AB 2906 which would prevent California counties from secretly using Social Security survivor benefits, belonging to foster children, to pay for their care. The Governor has until the end of the month to make a decision on the bill. For the past several years, CAI has been leading efforts nationwide to stop state and county foster care agencies from using Social Security benefits of eligible foster youth – even writing a report on the status of the situation. A representative from CAI is available to speak about AB 2906 and the impact it will have on California foster youth.

National Voter Registration Day

Today is National Voter Registration Day and USD will have several events on campus to help spread the word to students. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge recently recognized the University of San Diego for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered high levels of student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections. USD received the Silver Seal, reflecting its commitment to ensuring that nonpartisan democratic engagement is a defining feature of campus life. The Silver Seal was awarded to Campuses with 30%–39% voter participation or higher in the 2022 Midterm Election.

For all media inquiries, email our team at

press@sandiego.edu.

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

USD Spotlight

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Dr. Claudia Avila is an assistant professor of environmental and ocean sciences at USD. Her mother is from Zacatecas and instilled in her a deep appreciation for the region's traditions, including gardening. As Avila tended to the garden and cared for the plants, she developed a fascination with soil and how plant growth is affected by changes in soil chemistry. Her passion led her to pursue a doctorate, and today, as a professor at USD, she loves inspiring students to explore and understand the environment.