About Academic Honors and Fellowships

Our Mission

Grounded in the mission of Academic Programs, USC Academic Honors and Fellowships (AHF) supports students in their pursuit of transformative academic experiences. We offer advisement, programming and resources that encourage the exploration and attainment of high-impact experiential learning opportunities. We partner with USC faculty, staff and alumni to support applicants throughout prestigious fellowship application processes that require evaluation, endorsement and feedback.

Our Vision

To help students construct meaning from their lived and learned experiences, so that they can develop self-efficacy, personal agency, aspirations, sense of purpose, and understanding of one’s self in relation to the world. As such, research and fellowships are valued not for their outcome, but for the enriching insights the process can provide each student.

Our Focus:

To achieve our mission and vision, AHF prioritizes three core areas of focus in alignment with Academic Program’s call to “support every USC student by broadening their horizons and connecting them to opportunity.”

Cultivate Success

  • Visualize multiple pathways towards success

  • Support cohort models and mentorship

  • Celebrate achievement journeys

Support Inquiry

  • Create opportunities for exploration

  • Partner with faculty mentors

  • Facilitate access to academic resources

Advance Equity

  • Meet students where they are

  • Promote diversity of opportunities

  • Develop a network of advocacy

Our Portfolio

Signature Academic Events

Our Signature Academic Events invite undergraduate students to explore diverse disciplines, showcase scholarly and creative endeavors, and foster academic and professional growth. Events include Welcome Week Micro-Seminars, Research and Fellowships Week, Undergraduate Writers’ Conference, and SCymposium. Learn More

USC Awards

AHF recognizes the outstanding abilities of its undergraduate students and has created various opportunities to financially support students in their pursuit of interdisciplinary study, global exchange, and civic engagement. Awards include the Academic Achievement Award, Exceptional Funding for Trustee and Presidential Scholars, Africa Student Fund, and Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service. Learn More

Commencement Honors

AHF coordinates Commencement Honors for graduating seniors in partnership with USC Schools and faculty committees. Honors include: USC SCholar Distinctions (Renaissance, Global, and Discovery) and Valedictorian and Salutatorian Learn More

External Fellowships

AHF supports applicants with individual advising, information sessions, and workshops for select competitive national and international scholarships and fellowships. AHF facilitates campus review committees for endorsement required awards such as Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Rhodes, Marshall and Truman Scholarships. Learn More

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Read the AHF Annual Report!

Learn more about our mission, advising philosophy, and highlights from fellowships and awards processes.

Previous Annual Reports: 2022-2023 | 2021-2022  | 2020-2021 | 2019-2020

Meet Our Staff

Katie Capra

Katie Capra

Director

kcalvert@usc.edu

Lisseth Murillo

Lisseth Murillo

Student Programs Advisor II

lnmurill@usc.edu

Schedule an Appointment

The goal of an advising appointment with AHF staff is to help students identify fellowship opportunities that best align with their academic, leadership, professional interests and past experiences. Appointments are typically one-on-one sessions between 30 – 60 minutes.