Here's your USD News Connect — where each week the University of San Diego public affairs 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.*
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Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Protect Veterans From "Claim Sharks"
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Recently, Governor Newsom signed SB 694 which will prohibit private unaccredited "claim sharks" (claims consulting businesses) from helping veterans obtain their VA benefits. Veterans are able to get assistance with their VA benefit claims at a capped rate from accredited attorneys, however, "claim sharks" from private companies have been targeting veterans and charging them large amounts for their assistance. Alison Brown, supervising attorney at USD School of Law's Veterans Legal Clinic, can discuss what this law will change for veterans, how "claim sharks" have been targeting veterans and what options veterans have to get assistance with their veteran claims.
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USD Receives Federal Funding to Support Justice-Impacted Students
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USD has been awarded $927,000 in federal Community Project Funding secured by Representative Sara Jacobs (CA-51) as part of more than $14 million directed to San Diego-area projects. The funding will support USD’s JusticeForward: Safer Students Workforce Initiative, a program that prepares justice-impacted students for meaningful careers in the criminal justice sector. By leveraging students’ lived experiences, the initiative aims to strengthen workforce pathways, contribute to safer communities and lower recidivism rates. Read the full press release here.
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Jacobs Institute Program Pactful Recognized by UNESCO as Global Model for Student-Centered Innovation
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Pactful’s student-centered design thinking model has been featured on UNESCO’s SDG 4 Knowledge Hub, a global platform spotlighting proven strategies advancing the Education 2030 Agenda. The recognition positions Pactful as an international leader in skills development, equity and global citizenship through youth-driven innovation. Ashley Ahrens-Víquez, program operations and engagement manager at The Jacobs Institute for Innovation in Education at USD, is available to discuss why this recognition matters and how empowering students as changemakers is driving measurable impact in classrooms worldwide
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* Please note that times of availability will vary according to professors' schedules.
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Engineering with a Purpose for a More Just and Sustainable World
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In this episode of "At the Edge of It All," we sit down with Caroline Baillie, PhD, Professor of Integrated Engineering and Academic Director of USD’s Master’s of Engineering, Sustainability and Health Program. Baillie shares how a lifelong passion for social justice merged with her career in engineering. From researching the impact of mining on Indigenous women in Peru to challenging students through Plastic Free July, she explores how engineers can drive systemic change. Her message to others is to question assumptions, follow your values and collaborate across disciplines to build a more just and sustainable world.
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Office of Public Affairs
University of San Diego
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