Office of Public Affairs at the University of San Diego
March 24, 2026 | View in web browser

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

March 24, 2026

Good morning newsrooms!

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.*

TODAY: USD to Introduce JR Blount as Head Men's Basketball Coach at Press Conference

USD Athletics will introduce JR Blount as its new men’s basketball head coach at a press conference and welcome celebration on Tuesday, March 24 outside the University of San Diego's Palomar Health Student Wellness Center on main campus. Blount is joining the Toreros from Iowa State, where he has served as an assistant coach for five seasons. The press conference will begin at approximately 12:00 p.m. Blount and USD Associate Vice President/Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey will be available to the media afterwards. Please RSVP if you’re interested in attending.

New Poll Finds Americans are Making Spending Trade-Offs to Afford Healthcare

A recent Gallup Poll found that many Americans are making at least one trade-off with daily living expenses to afford healthcare -- with some Americans delaying retirement due to healthcare costs. Dan Roccato, clinical professor of finance, can provide insight on this poll and what we're seeing in the larger landscape of healthcare struggles in America.

Monarch Butterflies Remain at Risk of Extinction

The annual count of migratory monarchs who spend the winter in Mexico was recently released and shows that they remain vulnerable to extinction. After an 80% decline since the 1990s and with federal protections still on hold scientists say time is running out to save this iconic migration. Geoffrey Morse, associate professor of biology, can talk about what's behind the decline and what can still be done to help monarchs recover.

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

The History of the Classical Music Scene in California

Classical music is often thought of as a traditional musical genre -- something you might see in a symphony or opera. But, as this music moved into California, musicians were looking to put their own experimental spin on its sound. Charissa Noble, assistant professor of music and Ensemble X Director at the University of San Diego, joined the "At the Edge of it All" podcast and shared how she first became passionate about studying classical music's history in California. She also discussed how bohemian avant-garde musical networks were created in the Golden State, reshaping traditional classical music.

Listen on Apple Podcasts here.