Office of Media Relations at the University of San Diego
March 11, 2025 | View in web browser

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

March 11, 2025

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.*

New Research: How Recent Executive Actions are Affecting Local Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Institute at USD surveyed more than 400 local nonprofit organizations to see how they are being impacted by recent executive orders and other federal policy changes. 72% report direct or anticipated impacts stemming from federal executive actions. Nearly one-third have already been forced to modify or discontinue services. Over half of respondent organizations receive federal funding and 40% report issues accessing funds at this time. Tessa Tinkler, senior director of research and evaluation at The Nonprofit Institute, is available to discuss these findings and offer recommendations on how to support nonprofits during these challenging times.

USD Faculty Members Celebrate Organ Donation

Thursday is World Kidney Day, and this year it lines up with a special anniversary for two USD faculty members. Three years ago, Joe Gonzales received a kidney transplant thanks to a donation from Amanda Cuellar. The two were close friends as students in USD’s nursing program and today are both faculty members at the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science, where Gonzales specializes in nephrology — the treatment of kidney diseases. Gonzales and Cuellar are both available to talk about their heartwarming story, organ donation and kidney health for World Kidney Day. Interviews available in English and Spanish.

Mariachi Conference: Mariachi World Converges on USD

This weekend, USD plays host to an international Mariachi conference that will welcome players of all levels — students from around the country to professionals from Mexico. The conference will pair students with pros based on their instruments, and they’ll get two days of world-class instruction. Friday and Saturday culminate with public performances by students and the professionals, as well as USD’s Mariachi Ensemble. Serafin Paredes is a music lecturer at USD and director of the university’s Mariachi Ensemble. He’s organizing the conference, and can talk about the event and what makes mariachi music special. Interviews available in English and Spanish.

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

At the Edge of It All Podcast: The Athletics Edge: USD Associate AD's Journey to the Olympics

"At the Edge of It All" was joined by Ali Gibson, Associate Athletic Director for Finance and Administration at USD. Gibson may work behind the scenes at USD, but for years she's also competed at the highest levels of women's basketball -- including the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Gibson talked about her background as a college athlete and how she was able to make it onto the Puerto Rican Women's National Team. She talks about her experience at two very different Olympic Games, and how she trained and competed while also working full-time at USD. You can listen to this episode here.