Office of Media Relations at the University of San Diego
October 14, 2025 | View in web browser

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

October 14, 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.*

USD to Expand Access to Mental Health Services for the California National Guard

PTSD NOW! recently announced it is providing funding for the University of San Diego’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program to hire two therapists dedicated to providing services to both active and reserve members of the Guard. Assistant Professor Nick Boyd will be leading the recruitment, training and placement of the therapists. He is available to speak about this initiative and how it will help address the urgent mental health needs within the California National Guard.

NOAA Says La Niña Conditions Could Last Through February 2026

Recently NOAA shared that we are currently experiencing weak La Niña conditions which would "be less likely to result in conventional winter impacts" such as cold temperatures. Environmental and Ocean Sciences Professor Zhi-Yong Yin can share what we can expect with La Niña conditions, how it impacts hurricane risks and what weak conditions could mean for our winter season.

USD Dining Earns Best College Food Award

USD's campus dining was recently ranked #10 for 'Best College Food in America' by Niche, which provides rankings and reviews for colleges, K-12 schools and neighborhoods. USD's chefs are trained at world-renowned schools like the Culinary Institute of America and create dishes from around the world, including wood-fired pizzas, hand-rolled sushi and vegan options for students. A USD chef is available to give a behind-the-scenes look at USD's dining programs.

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

Harry Sternberg: Dance of the Machine Exhibition at USD's Hoehn Galleries

USD's Hoehn Galleries is hosting more than 50 prints of Harry Sternberg's Dance of the Machine exhibition through December 12, curated by Malcolm Warner, PhD. Sternberg (1904-2001), who eventually settled in Escondido, was an influential printmaker and painter whose work focuses on social justice and the resilience of working people. USD's Hoehn Galleries are free and open to the community.