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Issue #1 - Fall 2024

A Message from OCL Program Chair, Dr. Courtney Malloy


Dear OCL Trojans,


This time of year, as we move into Fall and also reach the middle of the semester, can feel like a balancing act – juggling coursework, research, leadership roles, and personal commitments. Remember that challenges can be part of the learning process; the complexities of organizational change and leadership demand adaptability and reflective practice. Mid-semester is an ideal time to pause and reflect – What are you learning about yourself as a leader? What new insights are shaping your understanding of the change process? Taking stock of these lessons learned can help reenergize you and motivate you as you work through the rest of the semester.  


Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need guidance or support. Wishing you strength, focus, and continued growth!


Fight on! 

Student & Alumni Spotlight

Kyle Ethelbah - Cohort 24


Current student, Kyle Ethelbah recently co-authored an article titled, "Oceania in the Desert: A QuantCrit Analysis of the (Under) Counting of Native Hawaiin and Pacific Islander Students at an AANAPISI-HSI" in a special issue of the Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness. The article explores the use of Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data through the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) to determine institutional eligibility for Asian American Native American Pacific Islander (AANAPISI) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designations through the federal government.


Kyle is the Director of the AANAPISI Academic Support Program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).


Click to learn more

Teresa Nguyen - Cohort 26


Current student, Teresa Nguyen recently presented a TEDx talk at FPT University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The talk is titled "3 Steps to Finding Joy in Learning English" and is focused on inspiring students to embrace their English learning journey and find joy and fulfillment in the process.


Teresa is the Department Chair for ELL/ESL/GED at Golden West College.


Click to learn more

Dr. Melissa Singh & Dr. Tory Cox - Cohort 2


Two OCL alumni, Dr. Melissa Singh and Dr. Tory Cox, recently co-authored a paper in the Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work titled "Infusing social justice into the signature pedagogy: a decision-making model emphasizing anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) in social work practicum". The article proposes solutions for social work practicum education to embrace ADEI approaches.


Dr. Melissa Singh is an Associate Teaching Professor, Practicum Education at the USC School of Social Work.


Dr. Tory Cox is the Assistant CalSWEC Project Coordinator and Distance Education Lead at the School of Social Work, CSU Long Beach.


Click to learn more

Recent Promotions

Several current and former OCL students accepted new roles or received promotions in recent months:


Dr. Olumide Adeoye (Cohort 21) accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at the US Department of Energy, where he is supporting the implementation of federal energy policy


Dr. John Beck (Cohort 9) was promoted to full professor in the School of Business and Communication at The Master's University


Dr. Misha Kouzeh (Cohort 22) was hired as a Lecturer for the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism


Dr. Aristotle Mosier (Cohort 19) was recently hired as a Faculty Associate at the Arizona State University's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College of Education


Justin Sinkovich (Cohort 25) was appointed the Associate Director of the newly formed School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Columbia College Chicago


Dr. Shanéa Thomas (Cohort 11) was appointed the Executive Director of Accreditation at the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE)


C. Rose Williams, Ed.D. forthcoming (Cohort 22) was appointed the Interim Director of Campus Recreation and Wellness at Elon University


Congratulations! We are so proud of you and the rest of our OCL Community.

Faculty Spotlight


Q&A with Dr. Eric Canny

Assistant Teaching Professor of Education

Your favorite moment from teaching in the OCL Program?

The final project in EDUC 725: Analyzing Change and its Effectiveness. The project, "Creating a Vision for Organizational Change", lets the creativity flow. While the components might be identical from group to group, the vision creates a feeling that can be completely different despite the same components.


What is your favorite snack?

Frozen Reeses Peanut Butter Cups, but I cannot eat them anymore. So I would say Diet Coke. When I was working in international education, Diet Coke was my constant as I traveled the world. The recipe is always the same, unlike regular coke.


What is the best song to start the day with?

Ready for it? Style (TV) - Taylor Swift or Out of the Woods (TV) - Taylor Swift. If I have to go non-Taylor, The Best - Tina Turner or So What - Pink.


Three words of wisdom for our OCL students?

Stay consistent with the time you spend on your dissertation vs. classwork. Remember, trust takes time to build. Courage is as contagious as fear; OCL pushes you to think in new ways, see the world differently, and be open as well as reflective.


Favorite book?

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.


Do you have any hidden talents or skills?

Going with something I cannot do. I cannot roll my tongue, which means I'm not able to roll my R's in Spanish. In fact, the ability to roll your tongue or not is genetic.


If you were not in academia, what career would you choose?

Concert production, hopefully for Taylor or Pink.

OCL Program Events

OCL Mentorship Events


The EdD Program Office hosted two events, led by Thania Cabral, for our OCL Mentorship Program: 1) OCL Virtual Mentor Training and 2) OCL Mentorship Networking Event.

OCL Virtual Mentor Training

OCL Mentor Networking Event

Fall 2024 Immersions


This fall semester, we welcomed OCL Cohort 30 for Immersion I and Cohort 26 for Immersion II at the USC University Park Campus.

OCL Cohort 30 - Immersion I

OCL Cohort 26 - Immersion II

Guest Feature

Dear OCL Trojans,


My name is Isabelle Wright, and I am the new Career Services Specialist at Rossier! I am so excited to be coming back home to my Alma Mater (PASA ’17) and provide career support as you navigate through your Rossier degree programs. My office is located on the 4th floor of Waite Phillips Hall (404D), and for more immediate assistance, please feel free to email me at isabelkh@usc.edu. I can’t wait to be a part of your career journey here at Rossier! Please check out the below resources:

  • Customized 1:1 and small group career advising with me! (Email me at isabelkh@usc.edu to schedule appointments; students have access to Handshake where they can view my availability and make appointments there)

Additional career topics to cover (but not limited to):

www.linkedin.com/in/isabellehwright

Academic Calendar

October 6th

Fall Mid-semester Evaluation Due

October 28th

Spring 2025 Registration Memos emailed to students

November 11th

Spring 2025 Registration Opens

November 18th

Last Day to Withdraw with a Mark of "W"

November 27 - December 1st

University Closed for Thanksgiving

December 7th

Last Day of Classes for Fall Semester

December 11-18th

Final Exam Period

December 19 - January 12th

Winter Recess

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