The Faculty in Focus Ambassador Program, led by Courtney Bailey, CTE Instructional Designer, has officially launched with 28 faculty members selected to represent departments across USC. The new initiative, coordinated by the CTE, is designed to strengthen communication and collaboration between CTE and academic departments.
The program creates direct collaboration between CTE and departments to ensure faculty perspectives inform programs, resources, and future planning. Ambassadors will serve as liaisons within their units to identify needs, share feedback, promote engagement, and co-design resources that strengthen teaching and learning at the university.
Ambassadors will meet monthly from November 2025 through May 2026 to discuss departmental priorities and explore strategies that advance USC’s culture of teaching excellence. These meetings, called “Caffeinate and Collaborate,” will emphasize open dialogue, relationship building, and practical idea sharing. Each ambassador contributes approximately 22 hours per year and receives recognition through a digital badge, letter of commendation, certificate, and invitation-only networking events with the Provost, Vice Provost, and CTE leadership.
The first Faculty in Focus Ambassador meeting on November 12 launched a collaborative effort to elevate faculty voices and strengthen teaching at USC.
2025-2026 Faculty Ambassadors
- Ahmer Afroz, Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior
- Joanna Appel, Biomedical Sciences
- Caroline Asbill, Clinical Pharmacy and Outcomes Sciences
- Teresa Bowers, Professional Nursing Practice
- Monique Brown, Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Mengqian (Max) Chen, Computer Science and Engineering
- Clayton Copeland, Information Science
- Elizabeth Currin, Leadership, Learning Design and Inquiry
- Erin Davenport, Sociology
- Jeff Eargle, Teacher Education
- Kelly Fleming, Environmental Health Sciences
- Janel Hagar, Pharmacology, Physiology and Neuroscience
- Kunio Hara, Music
- Na Sil Heo, History
- Hanne Van Der Iest, Sociology
- Margaret Janse van Rensburg, Social Work
- Jacqueline Kiesler, Journalism and Mass Communications
- Rachel Mann, English Language and Literature
- Mostafa Mobli, Mechanical Engineering
- Tara Mortensen, Journalism and Mass Communications
- Zoe Niesel, Law
- Marcia Purday, Journalism and Mass Communications
- Shannon Roberts, Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Sarvesh Sawant, Industrial Engineering
- Tara Sutton, Criminology and Criminal Justice
- David Weaver, Statistics
- Betty Wilson, Social Work
- Karen Worthy, Advanced Practical Nursing Practice & Leadership