USC Iovine and Young Academy

Andre “Dr. Dre” Young received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame today. Congrats to the IYA co-founder on this immense honor! ⭐

Focusing on Transformative AI, IYA research assistant professor Alexander Titus' work has been steadfast in unlocking evolving unknowns in tech, researching at the intersection of artificial intelligence and machine learning while exploring the development of responsible technology.

Titus even headed to Washington D.C. to provide a written statement on AI. His perspective takes a national and international stage, with the potential to inform policy dialogue and the way the government – and the world at large – view artificial intelligence’s expanding footprint.

Alexander Titus Examines the Power of Artificial Intelligence (and Its Future) || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Alexander Titus' career and research has been steadfast in unlocking evolving unknowns in tech, researching at the intersection of artificial intelligence and machine learning while exploring the development of responsible technology.

Named for groundbreaking actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, the Hedy Lamarr Awards bestows accolades to trailblazing figures in entertainment technology and promising talents on the rise. IYA student Grace MacPherson was honored at this November's event with a 2023 Hedy Lamarr Achievement Award for Emerging Leaders in Entertainment Technology. Augmented reality and inventive storytelling are at the heart of MacPherson’s work – a cutting-edge synthesis filled with possibility that the Awards jury recognized.

IYA Student Honored With Hedy Lamarr Achievement Award for Emerging Leaders in Entertainment Technology || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy amed for groundbreaking actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr, the Hedy Lamarr Awards bestows accolades to trailblazing figures in entertainment technology and promising talents on the rise. Among them was USC Iovine and Young Academy student Grace MacPherson.

The inaugural IYA Founders Bootcamp commenced last month, setting into motion a year-long IYA Innovation Quest – a series of dynamic experiences that strive to cultivate and support qualified student-led ventures at the intersection of business, technology, and creative practice. Founders Bootcamp wasn’t just an opportunity for students to listen, it was a chance for them to learn – connecting with like-minded peers, potential partners, and startup teams.

Founders Bootcamp Kicks Off 2023 IYA Innovation Quest || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy The inaugural IYA Founders Bootcamp commenced, setting into motion a year-long IYA Innovation Quest – a series of dynamic experiences that strive to cultivate and support qualified student-led ventures at the intersection of business, technology, and creative practice.

Having launched a company that helps households compost easily and efficiently, IYA alum Ben Wan is in the business of reducing waste. While he isn’t exactly turning trash into treasure, he is ensuring it doesn’t end up in landfills. Your carbon footprint is essentially in his – and his team of trusty compost collectors’ – hands.

More Help, Less Waste: Alum Develops Popular Compost Service || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Ben Wan has launched Hudson Compost Services, a company that helps households compost easily and efficiently. While he isn’t exactly turning trash into treasure, he is ensuring it doesn’t end up in landfills. Your carbon footprint is essentially in his – and his team of trusty compost collecto...

"IYA is a great place to do research, because the place itself shows all the processes of new ways of learning and also new ways of engaging in work. And I think that should translate into the workplace also,” says Dr. SeoYoon Sung, IYA's Research Assistant Professor of Technology, Innovation and Learning.

How does learning work? How do communities cultivate creativity and innovation? In what ways does technology shape our behavior? Sung is asking these questions, and discovering answers at IYA.

Dr. SeoYoon Sung Asks, ‘How Does Learning Work?’ || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy “IYA is a great place to do research, because the place itself shows all the processes of new ways of learning and also new ways of engaging in work," says Dr. SeoYoon Sung.

Erika Hang envisions a world where people understand the food they’re eating – where it comes from, who grows it, and how they can access it. A 2019 graduate of IYA with a Masters of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology, Hang has had a longtime interest in farming and sustainable growing practices, and now she’s helping to bridge the gap between buyers and producers.

Alum’s Platform Brings the Farm Right to You || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy A 2019 graduate of IYA with a Masters of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology, Hang has had a longtime interest in farming and sustainable growing practices, and now she’s helping to bridge the gap between buyers and producers.

Summer is coming to a close, but the lessons learned throughout the season have the potential to last far beyond Labor Day. Take these internship opportunities, for example. IYA students managed to make the most of their break from school the past few months, taking on summer stints at companies from Amazon to PayPal to Microsoft.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation: Internship Edition || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy IYA students managed to make the most of their break from school these past few months, taking on summer stints at companies from Amazon to PayPal to Microsoft.

Not everyone’s first project on a job entails launching a new Selena Gomez product, but for Sarah Allen, that's life at a creative agency. Allen has worked with clients in the beauty space, putting her creative touch on everything from packaging to campaign production to ecommerce strategy. Partnering with some of the biggest names in the game, this IYA alum has taken her love of beauty and business and turned it into a dream job that allows her to bring brands to life.

The Beauty of Branding: Life at a Creative Agency || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Not everyone’s first project on a job entails launching a new Selena Gomez product, but for IYA alum Sarah Allen, that's life at a creative agency. “What inspires me most about my work are the amazing entrepreneurs and brand founders I get to support. It's so amazing to collaborate with creative...

Congratulations to IYA alum Kaitlyn Emiko Chu ‘21 who was crowned 2023 Nisei Week Queen this past Saturday at the 8th annual Nisei Week Coronation in Little Tokyo. Kaitlyn is a graduate of IYA and a product designer at Apple. You are an inspiration, Kaitlyn!

Kaitlyn Emiko Chu Crowned Nisei Week Queen - Rafu Shimpo By GWEN MURANAKA, Rafu Senior Editor Kaitlyn Emiko Chu, 24-year-old graduate of USC and a product designer at Apple, was crowned Nisei Week Queen on Saturday night at the 81st annual Nisei Week Coronation at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo. Chu represents the Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Co...

When Anant Vasudevan was an IYA student and COVID suddenly hit, the world shifted and so did his existential perspective, reinforcing what’s important in life – community. That’s why he cofounded the members-only creative social club, Verci – an NYC-based “campus” offering a curated creative space for people on unconventional paths. Inspired by his collaborative collegiate days, Verci is a place to create, co-produce, make friends, and above all else, be yourself.

In Search of Community: An Unconventional Thinker Founds a Space For Creatives || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Anant Vasudevan recently founded the members-only creative social club, Verci – an NYC-based “campus” offering a curated creative space for people on unconventional paths. Inspired by his synergistic days at IYA, Verci is a place to create, co-produce, make friends, and above all else, be your...

“It makes the internet a special place, the fact that anyone can be who they want to be,” Aditi Harish says.

Harish knows the power of the internet community. An IYA grad and product marketing manager at YouTube Shorts, she spends her days spreading the word about what’s trending online. Outside of her day job, she makes videos that showcase her personal creativity. It’s the best of both digital worlds – she’s both a content creator marketer and a content creator herself. Read on...

Viral Virtuoso: How This Social Media Maven Shares Trends at YouTube and Beyond || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Harish is essentially a virtual trendsetter - or rather, trend-sharer – helping influencers and video-makers grow their YouTube channels.

From course schedules to career paths, the journey can be an administrative challenge for both students and academic advisors. Degreely, a budding startup conceived by a team of IYA graduate students, takes the pain out of course planning, making the process uncomplicated, more personalized, and optimized to fit individual passions.

"By creating tools like this, it enables administrators and teachers and advisors to do what they really want to do, which is to help students build their futures," says founder Danny Pugh.

Read on...

Edtech Startup Optimizes Degree Planning for Students and Advisors || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy In an age of red tape and digital inundation, Degreely is making the academic road less bumpy – and more enriching – for both learners and advisors.

ICYMI: Here’s a glimpse into our inaugural IYA Venture Showcase where 11 early-stage ventures pitched their innovative ideas to a live audience and panel of industry experts. From a blockchain browser to collapsible furniture to AI-driven at-home speech therapy, these innovations epitomize the creative courage and purpose-driven heart of IYA.

Huge thanks to our moderator Tina Sharkey and our panelists, Liz Heller, Jason Mayden, and Sam Wick, and as well the coaches who guided the companies throughout the process: Jean-Michel Arnoult, Arjun Mehta, Winn Hong, John Mai, Matthew Manos, Tina Sharkey, Chris Swain, and Harry Valner - your support and invaluable insights are deeply appreciated.

Congratulations to all the student companies for your tremendous effort and hard work. Your bold ideas and ingenuity are inspiring! The future is bright! 💡

Until next year!

Inaugural IYA Venture Showcase Connects Student Innovators With Industry Advisors || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy The first-annual USC Iovine and Young Venture Showcase gave student companies the opportunity to The The first-annual USC Iovine and Young Venture Showcase gave student companies the opportunity to present their products, services, and technologies to industry leaders for funding and a lightning rou...

We're still basking in the afterglow of this year's ceremony, and one thing was abundantly clear – IYA students are poised to think beyond borders, shift the trajectory of entire industries, and make dynamic differences. This milestone not only honored graduates, it celebrated intersectional innovation, pursuing purposeful passion, and the unwavering power of community.

“Try It and Risk”: IYA Commencement 2023 Empowers Graduates to Follow Their Dreams || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy The May 12 commencement at USC’s Bovard Auditorium was a momentous event that not only honored the graduating class of 2023, it celebrated creativity and intersectional innovation, pursuing passions with purpose, and the unwavering power of community.

Congrats to SIER Technologies on winning the Min Family Challenge grand prize for $50K! Featuring IYA student team members Ezra Bird, Henry Fox, Louis Xie, and Henry Warren, SIER is developing electronic glasses that provide navigation assistance to low vision and blind individuals. “Our primary focus is to refine our product, expand our reach, and ultimately, empower even more individuals with disabilities,” Fox says of the honor.

IYA Student Startup Wins 2023 Min Family Challenge Grand Prize || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy SIER (Seeing is Everyone’s Right) is prototyping glasses that are equipped with speakers and sensors connected to a phone app.

As 2023 IYA Commencement Speaker, Asma Ishaq is eager to motivate the next generation of creative problem-solvers and innovative thinkers. A skincare and wellness trailblazer with a background that encompasses everything from science and product development to business and finance, the Modere CEO is living proof that passion projects can turn into industry-changing success stories. Read on…

Keynote Speaker Asma Ishaq Embodies the IYA Spirit || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy The USC Iovine and Young Academy’s intersectional ethos speaks to Asma Ishaq’s being. A skincare and wellness trailblazer, Ishaq isn’t defined by one achievement – she’s the entrepreneurial embodiment of a multifaceted mindset that not only pursues professional dreams, it makes them come t...

IYA students got the chance to present ‘Care Reimagined,’ an industry collaboration with EY exploring future possibilities in healthcare innovation, to USC’s Board of Trustees in Ojai, California. Their work offered a window into the school’s challenge-based learning model, highlighting the value of real-world problem solving at the intersection of design, business, and technology. From strategy to research to prototyping, they’re looking at healthcare’s potential tomorrow, today.

IYA Students Present ‘Care Reimagined’ Collaboration with EY to USC Board of Trustees || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy An IYA student team presented a thought-provoking forecast of healthcare industry trends and responses, and also offered a window into the school’s challenge-based learning model, highlighting the value of real-world problem solving at the intersection of design, business, and technology.

Got internships on the brain? Must-have advice is on the way. How can students achieve summer success? What can they do to turn an internship into a full-time offer? Are there tips for navigating the application process? Jon Koegler, IYA’s associate director of Career Services and Industry Relations, is answering those questions and more. Hear from him (and three savvy seniors) on how to make the most of your internship experience.

How to Maximize Your Summer Break and Make the Most of Internships || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy What should students keep in mind if a full-time offer is the goal? How can they implement simple ways to make the most of summer break? We're answering those questions and more.

Cute dogs and the internet go paw and paw, but Ketana Chadalavada didn’t anticipate that the fun pics she posted of her loyal companion would eventually grow into a company. What began as an Insta-hobby transformed into a business selling natural eco-friendly pet products. Chadalavada, now an IYA grad student, credits this endeavor as the inspiration for taking her entrepreneurial, tech, and design dreams to the next academic level. Read on... 🐶

Grad Student’s ‘Pet’ Project Turned Business Sparks IYA Journey || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy What began as an Instagram hobby transformed into a business selling natural eco-friendly pet products. Ketana Chadalavada, now pursuing a Master’s in Integrated Design, Business, and Technology at USC Iovine and Young Academy, credits this accidental endeavor as the inspiration for taking her ent...

A magical trip to remember! IYA’s senior class commenced on a four-day immersive exploration of Mexico City this month, giving them the chance to experience everything from the artistic impact of Frida Kahlo’s house to the thrill of a Lucha Libre match. In addition to a workshop collaborating with students at , Cohort 6 got the chance to hear from entrepreneurs and educators defining innovation in the region.

IYA Seniors Embark on a Memorable Mexico City Trip || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Mexico City made for a magical four days to remember. The USC Iovine and Young Academy’s senior class commenced on a four-day immersive exploration of the vibrant city in the week leading up to spring break, giving them the chance to experience everything from the artistic impact of Frida Kahlo’...

Sydney Loew is searching for magic, one unique job opportunity at a time. The IYA alum only graduated in Spring 2022, but she’s already put her versatile skill set to work in roles that integrate business, art, marketing, and technology. Currently, she works as a brand designer for a startup while simultaneously hitting her design stride at Disney’s internal ad agency. Having minored in Comedy, you might say she has a “yes, and…” approach to her professional journey.

From Disney to Startups and AI, a Designer Makes Her Mark || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Sydney Loew only graduated in Spring 2022, but she’s already put her versatile skill set to work in roles that integrate business, design, marketing, and technology. Having minored in Comedy, you might say she has a “yes, and…” approach to her professional journey. Currently, she works part-...

“IYA’s framework really helps ... because it’s so flexible and you really get to be proactive on what emphasis you put on things. Having that freedom to choose and explore my interests is the same way I do things now.” Business owner and IYA alum, Jane Li is doing things her way now. Li lets her imagination run wild creating products featuring her original artwork, from a “you’re rad” radish sticker to a fruit love languages print. She’s forging her own creative identity while intersecting art and commerce.

The Art of Being Yourself || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy Jane Li has managed to take her love for experimenting artistically and turn it into a budding business, selling everything from pins and keychains to totes and clothes that represent her whimsy, background, and playful sensibility. What started as an Etsy shop and a desire to nurture a passion is n...

Anthony Ramirez-Garcia is marching to the sounds of his own saxophone! When he’s not giving back to his community and innovating to make an impact, you can find this senior playing tenor sax in USC’s Trojan Marching Band, journaling, or making guided meditations. As he prepares for graduation, Ramirez-Garcia is reflecting on his time at IYA and the enriching experiences he's learned from along the way.

Senior Spotlight: Anthony Ramirez-Garcia || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy After thriving in a high school tech program that introduced him to coding, entrepreneurship, and design thinking, Anthony Ramirez-Garcia was destined to shine at USC Iovine and Young Academy. The IYA senior is all about giving back to his community as a leader and innovator, devoting himself to ven...

"People want to spend time in places where they find belonging, where they feel safe, where they feel excited, and where they can visualize growth," says Avni Barman. As the founder of Generation She, the IYA alum is not only providing more opportunities for female talent, she’s aiming to expand the pool of women working at the top of their fields. Find out why cultivating community is the key to making lasting impact in these industries.

Right Where She Belongs: Creating a Community for Women in Tech || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy As the founder of Generation She, Avni Barman is not only providing more opportunities for female tech talent, she’s aiming to expand the pool of women working at the top of their fields. Having the right skills is one way to make change happen for women in these industries, but offering them a se...

As the programming chair for the Black Student Assembly at USC, IYA student Ire Omitowoju played an integral role in putting together USC’s first ever Black Career Fair. Earlier this month, the inaugural fair welcomed over 330 student attendees as and participating companies, including Boeing, Sony, and SoundCloud. Omitowoju's motto? “You can’t be who you can’t see." Find out more about the milestone event.

IYA Student Organizes USC'S First Black Career Fair || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy As the programming chair of the Black Student Assembly (BSA) at USC, Ire Omitowoju played an integral role in putting together USC’s first ever Black Career Fair on February 1. The inaugural event welcomed over 330 student attendees and participating companies, including Boeing, Sony, and SoundClo...

What is blockchain? That’s a popular Google search phrase for a reason. The terms blockchain, bitcoin, and cryptocurrency have been a part of the cultural vocabulary for the past few years – but many people are still trying to grasp the power of these concepts (or just merely understand what they mean!). Thankfully, IYA students and founders of dubdubdub labs are here to break down the basics. Crypto-curious? Read on...

Breaking Down Blockchain: A Tech Primer For the “Crypto-Curious” || USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy “Blockchain explained” and “what is crypto” are popular Google search phrases for a reason. The terms blockchain, bitcoin, and cryptocurrency have been a part of the cultural vocabulary for the past few years – but many people are still trying to grasp the power of these concepts (or just ...