Katie Capra

Director

kcalvert@usc.edu

Katie Capra is a Higher Education professional with a passion for study abroad and other high impact academic experiences that enrich the lives of students and their communities.

She is a first-generation college and transfer student that earned a B.A. in Spanish from Northeastern University and an M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from UCLA. With over a decade at USC and a Fulbrighter herself, Katie’s areas of focus include advising for competitive scholarships such as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program and facilitating campus-wide Signature Academic Events and Honors. Before joining the USC staff, Katie served as Director of WorldTeach Ecuador and Panama.

Lisseth Murillo

Assistant Director

lnmurill@usc.edu

Lisseth Murillo is a Higher Education professional dedicated to expanding access to fellowships and high-impact academic opportunities for students from all backgrounds.

She is a first-generation college graduate who earned a B.A. in Comparative Literature from UC Santa Barbara and an M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from USC. Lisseth began her career at Irvine Valley College in the Office of Student Equity, where she created equity-focused programs to expand opportunities for historically underrepresented students. She then served as an academic advisor at USC before joining the AHF team. Lisseth focuses on making fellowship advising accessible, transparent, and empowering while reducing financial and systemic barriers so students can pursue ambitious goals.

Denise Cruz

Graduate Assistant 

ahfstaff@usc.edu

Denise Cruz is a current graduate student pursuing an M.Ed in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs at the Rossier School of Education. She is a first-generation college graduate who earned her B.A. in History from CSU Long Beach.

She aspires to become an academic advisor, where she can support and empower students throughout their college journeys.