The Price Post
Bringing You the School's Top News
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Study Shows Tenants Are Cutting Back on Basic Needs
The USC Price Center for Social Innovation released research that illuminates the adjustments and cutbacks people are making as a result of high rental costs in Los Angeles. Gary Painter, director of the Price Center, said, “This study presents a holistic picture of what individuals, households and families are doing to cope with rent burden.” Read More >
Jorgel Chavez
USC Price Student Wins Race to Become Youngest Los Angeles City Councilmember

As COVID-19 raged on, Jorgel Chavez won his race for Bell Gardens city council while pursuing his progressive MPA degree. “I knew I was the underdog. And so, I took to the streets.” Read More >
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department deputies pictured in training
SCI Training for Sheriff’s Department Seeks to Change Culture
L.A. County Sheriff’s Department deputies learned new skills and strategies for de-escalating crises and resolving conflicts, led by the Safe Communities Institute (SCI) at USC Price. Read More >
Knowledge in Action
Addressing Challenges Here and Abroad
Wändi Bruine de Bruin
Psychology Helps Predict Elections and Analyze Policy

While most pollsters expected a runaway win for Biden, Wändi Bruine de Bruin, Provost Professor of Public Policy, Psychology and Behavioral Science at USC Price, predicted a much closer outcome. Read More >
George Washington statue
Today’s Politics Feature More Stress and Electoral College Conflict 
Eight days prior to the 2020 elections, the George Washington Leadership Lecture Series illuminated differences between electing a U.S. President now and in the early years of the country. Read More >
USC Athletic Field
Athletes Play a Role in Social Justice On- and Off-Field
The USC Price School of Public Policy hosted an online discussion on athletes and their evolution as change agents on Oct. 29 titled “Taking a Knee: Athletes and Social Justice Advocacy.” Read More >
U.S. Capitol
USC Schwarzenegger Poll Showed CA Voters Wanted Fresh Senate Voice
In October 2020, the California Issues Poll found that almost half of voters wanted someone with no experience in D.C. or Sacramento to fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ U.S. Senate vacancy. Read More >
On a Mission
Price Students and Alumni Making a Difference
Undoing Harm: Price Alum Works to Diversify Urban Planning Sector
Nina Idemudia, AICP, wants to change the way the urban planning world looks and thinks – and she is making major strides. This August, Idemudia, a USC Price master in urban planning alumna and Assistant Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, was elected as the first Black president of the Illinois chapter of the American Planning Association (APA). Read More >
Brian Burley Zhen Wu Danielle Guillen and Peter Wright
USC Price Candidates Make a Strong Showing in 2020 Elections
Current Price student Brian Burley and alumni Zhen Wu, Danielle Guillen, and Peter Wright discuss their 2020 campaigns for city councils in Huntington Beach and San Clemente, and school boards in Redlands and the Santa Ynez Valley. Read More>
Julian and Danielle during their remarks
Family’s Holocaust History Inspired One Student to Pursue Public Policy: Authored by Julian Wolff
A fourth-year B.A. Public Policy and progressive MPA student at Price shares a personal snapshot at his journey to the world of public policy. Read More>
Price students volunteering for Water Drop L.A.
Price Student Creates Nonprofit, Pushes for Water Accessibly Solutions
Price student Aria Cataño and her friend Kate Montanez created Water Drop L.A. to supply water to people experiencing homelessness, and advocate for water accessibility solutions. Read More >
Aram Chaparyan and Antony V. López
Two MPA Alumni Welcomed as New City Managers
Congratulations to Aram Chaparyan, City Manager of Torrance, and Antony V. López, City Manager of Avenal. “Democrats, Republicans, and independents can agree: a pothole is a pothole, traffic congestion is traffic congestion…that’s what draws me into this role, where we can actually put our differences aside and get things done,” said Chaparyan. Read More >
Awards and Recognition
The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy’s leaders and supporters reflect on its major accomplishments and look ahead toward the future.

Lois Takahashi, the Houston I. Flournoy Professor of State Government and Director of the USC Price School in Sacramento, received the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning’s Jay Chatterjee Award for Distinguished Service for her leadership of the ACSP and lasting impact on the field of planning.

The Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning honored Julia Harten, who graduated from USC Price’s doctoral program, with its Karen R. Polenske Best Student Paper Award for Outstanding Paper on a China-Related Topic.
USC Price In the News
CBS News featured research from the USC Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events on how the pandemic could cost the U.S. anywhere from $3 trillion to $5 trillion in GDP.

USA Today featured an op-ed by Erroll Southers on what Americans need to do to eliminate the terrorist threat of white supremacy.

USA Today quoted Neeraj Sood on the complications around deciding to open or close schools during the pandemic.

The New York Times quoted Dowell Myers on the growing diversity of America's workforce.

The New York Times quoted Roberto Suro on recent trends among Latinx voters.

The New York Times featured Gary Painter and his proposal of "federal pandemic insurance," or long-term, low-interest loans for renters.

The Washington Post featured research by Christian Grose on how lawmakers with stock holdings vote in ways that benefit their portfolios. Also in Politico.

Dow Jones Marketwatch featured an op-ed co-written by Richard Green and colleagues on why it would be unwise to reprivatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Financial Times featured an analysis by Elizabeth Currid-Halkett on the truth about the U.S. urban-rural divide.
 
The Wall Street Journal cited a recommendation by Dana Goldman, interim dean of the USC Price School, on why young adults should be the first to receive a coronavirus vaccine.

CNBC featured Professor Erroll Southers on the actions of law enforcement during the assault on the U.S. Capitol.

Spectrum News 1 featured Wändi Bruine de Bruin on why election polls should start asking about people's social circles.

Los Angeles Times featured an op-ed by Lisa Schweitzer on whether COVID-19 relief payments should go to everyone or those most in need.

Los Angeles Times featured Mindy Romero on record voter turnout in California for the 2020 election.

This represents a portion of recent USC Price media and faculty commentary.
Email your stories, news tips, or comments to: communication@price.usc.edu