OCTOBER 2026

FROM THE DIRECTORS

Dear Colleagues,

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, we’re pleased to recognize the contributions of Latinx communities and share reflections from Professor Adrián Huerta’s work on the challenges facing Latinx students in higher education.

This issue also highlights the impact of our work in practice. We introduce you to the USC College Advising Corps advisers whose personal experiences and commitment to students are helping young people navigate college opportunities and envision their futures. We also celebrate this year’s Delphi Award recipients for their innovative approaches to supporting faculty.

With the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) annual conference just around the corner, we look forward to connecting with colleagues in Puerto Rico and celebrating the Center’s 30th anniversary together. We hope to see many of you there!

Cordially,

Royel & Zoë

THE SPOTLIGHT

Why Is Hispanic Heritage Month So Quiet this Year?

Amid heightened immigration enforcement and

growing uncertainty for Latinx families, Professor Adrián Huerta questions higher education’s relative silence. He calls for greater engagement, research and advocacy while highlighting how youth-led research can help students shape change in their communities.

THE LATEST FROM PULLIAS

Arcadia University and Connecticut College Win 2026 Delphi Award

Each institution will receive $15,000 in recognition of its innovative policies and programs supporting VITAL faculty.

Learn More About Award Winners and Finalists →

Royel M. Johnson Receives Prestigious 2026 ASHE Mid-Career Award

Royel M. Johnson, USC Rossier associate professor and co-director of the Pullias Center for Higher Education, has been selected to receive the 2026 Mid-Career Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE). 

Read More →

Meet the Advisers Helping Students Navigate Life After High School

From college applications to financial aid and career planning, USC College Advising Corps advisers are helping Southern California students explore their options and plan for what’s next. Meet four advisers whose personal experiences shape their work with students.

Meet the Advisers→

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES

Meet Pullias Researchers at ASHE

Explore presentations by Pullias faculty and researchers on selective college admissions, organizational change, career success

and more.

View Presentation Schedule →

USC Rossier & Pullias Reception at ASHE

Join us in Puerto Rico for cocktails, dessert and conversation as we celebrate USC Rossier faculty accomplishments, the Pullias Center’s 30th anniversary and our community of scholars, alumni

and friends.

RSVP for the Reception →

Apply for the 2027–28 ACE Fellows Program

The Pullias Center is partnering with ACE to administer this premier higher education leadership development program. Applications for the next cohort are due December 2.

Learn More & Apply →

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Elif Yücel Receives ASHE Dissertation of the Year Award
Pullias alumna Elif Yücel, now a member of the Learning and Evaluation team at ECMC Foundation, has received ASHE’s 2026 Dissertation of the Year Award. Her research examines how system-impacted students navigate higher education and reentry.

Read About Elif's Dissertation and Work →

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Where Research Meets Practice — and Impact Follows.

pullias.usc.edu • pullias@usc.edu