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On This Page:
Division-Wide Comprehensive Anti-Racism Plan
Diversity, Anti-Racism, Inclusion, and Community Engagement
Diversity and Inclusion Events: By the Numbers
USC Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance
Student Affinity Groups
USC-XULA Early Assurance Program
Enrollment of Underrepresented Minorities in USC’s DPT Program
Additional Resources
Bias Incident Reporting Form
Upcoming Events
WELCOME
THE USC DIVISION OF BIOKINESIOLOGY AND PHYSICAL THERAPY EMBRACES DIVERSITY, anti-racism, and inclusion and emphasizes the importance of these core values across our Division including how we partner with and support the greater Los Angeles community.
DIVISION-WIDE COMPREHENSIVE ANTI-RACISM PLAN
Between June and October of 2020, Division faculty, staff, and students developed a comprehensive anti-racism plan that identifies achievable actions that we can take across our educational, research, and clinical programs. This plan will be utilized for the 2020-2021 academic year. It will be re-evaluated and updated each academic year to identify future actions we can take to become a multicultural anti-racist organization.
DIVERSITY, ANTI-RACISM, INCLUSION, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COUNCIL
The Diversity, Anti-Racism, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DARIC) Council guides the Division’s strategic priorities to foster diversity in the recruitment and retention of our students, staff, and faculty; provide an inclusive, anti-racist environment where all members of the community are valued and feel welcomed; and to promote population health equity.
KEY PRIORITIES
- Engage the USC BKN & PT community in the recruitment, retention, and advancement of diverse faculty, staff, and students.
- Nurture a culture within the Division that actively identifies, challenges, and changes institutional policies, practices, and procedures that perpetuate systemic racism.
- Promote a sense of belonging and respect for all.
- Provide mechanisms for students, staff, and faculty to seek support when they are confronted with biased attitudes and behaviors.
- Enhance health outcomes by partnering with the surrounding community to inform the work of the Division.
COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
The membership of the council consists of the following:
- Council Chair: Didi Matthews
- Faculty Members: Jesus Dominguez, Stacey Dusing, Cheryl Resnik, Terry Richardson II and Michael Rowley
- Student Members: Vatche Yousefian (DPT), Anushree Dighe (DPT), and Malcolm Jones (BKN)
- Staff Member: Barbara Roddy
- Community Liaisons: To Be Determined
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION EVENTS: BY THE NUMBERS
We are very engaged in our efforts to make the Division a more welcoming environment for everyone. In more than just a month, we have hosted the following meetings/conversations/events to foster a more inclusive environment, collectively adding up to nearly 1,300 faculty, staff and student hours.
- 8 Community Conversations (1 Division-wide, 4 Faculty, 3 Student): Collectively more than 430 attendees
- 6 Affinity Group Meetings (3 Black Students, 1 Latinx, 1 Asian Pacific, 1 LGBTQ+, 1 Middle Eastern)
- 5 Diversity Council Meetings
- Addition of 1 BKN student member
- 3 Yoga BLM Fundraising Events: 60+ attendees
- 2 Executive Leadership Meetings focused on issue of Diversity
- 4 Exploring Antiracism meetings (2 faculty, 2 student): 32 attendees
- 1 Event sponsored by PTMLA on Allyship: 70+ attendees
- 1 Curriculum planning meeting: 55 attendees
- 1 Faculty & Staff Division Social Justice Planning Meeting: 50 attendees
- 1 USC PT/BKN Black Alumni Board Meeting: 6 attendees
- 1 Clinical Education student meeting discussion re: race in the clinic: 98 attendees
- 1 Research Lab Meeting
- 2 Diversity meeting with Health Science Campus representatives
USC PHYSICAL THERAPY MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE
The USC Physical Therapy Multicultural Leadership Alliance (PTMLA) is a student-run organization striving to raise awareness about physical therapy as a profession and healthcare service. The leadership and service opportunities afforded through outreach events and educational programs at local schools are enriching for both the students and communities involved. PTMLA is active in serving global communities in need and promoting awareness of PT as a profession in the local community. With more than 10 years of history at USC, its members have grown from being leaders in the classroom to being leaders in the health care field.
MISSION STATEMENT
“Promote cultural competency within the Physical Therapy profession through educational programming, service learning, fundraising and advocacy for PT as a career option. Through acceptance, fun learning environment, and support, PTMLA members will gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to be cultural experts within the PT profession.”
Follow USC PTMLA on Social Media:
STUDENT AFFINITY GROUPS
Asian Pacific Islander Student Affinity Group
The Asian Pacific Islander Student Affinity Group is a group dedicated to promoting knowledge regarding the Asian Pacific Islander experience to all USC BKNPT students, faculty and alumni.
We hope to provide group members with knowledge, networking opportunities, mentorship connections and community during our open group discussions about current events/history and hosting speakers.
If you are interested in joining our email list, click here to add your name.
Faculty Advisor:
Jonathan Sum
sum@pt.usc.edu
Student Leaders:
Gary Chen
gjchen@usc.edu
Jeanne Huynh
jeannehu@usc.edu
Paul Kim
eung@usc.edu
Emily Moon
moonemil@usc.edu
Emma Wong
emmawong@usc.edu
Black Student Affinity Group
The Black Students Affinity Group is a student led group that provides a safe space for Black students within the Division. Our meetings serve as a place for Black students to build a supportive community as well as share challenges that others in the group can identify with and provide support and resources for. Additional benefits to the group include opportunities for leadership, mentorship and encouraging Black students and allies to make positive change within our Division and communities.
Faculty Advisors:
James Finley
jmfinley@usc.edu
Didi Matthews
dillibe@usc.edu
Student Leaders:
Jason Tabor
jatabor@usc.edu
Olivia Porter
oporter@usc.edu
International Students and Allies Affinity Group
The goal of the International Students and Allies Affinity Group (ISAAG) is to create a multicultural community for international students to share, inquire and support each other as they pursue their educational, professional and personal goals at the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy at USC. Our group comprises students, post-docs, staff and faculty who are non-residents, residents and citizens. We will provide a safe space for international students and allies to discuss topics such as immigration, English as a second language, inclusion and living in the United States.
Faculty Advisors:
Kornelia Kulig
kulig@pt.usc.edu
Natalia Sanchez
natalia.sanchez@pt.usc.edu
Student Leader:
Sara Almansori
salmanso@usc.edu
Latinx Student Affinity Group
Faculty Advisors:
Valerie Dimas
vdimas@pt.usc.edu
Marisa Perdomo
perdomo@pt.usc.edu
Student Leader:
Alberto Galvan
galvanal@usc.edu
LGBTQQIA+ Student Affinity Group
The LGBTQQIA+ Affinity Group provides a closed space for members of the Division who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual or as a member of another minoritized gender identity or sexual orientation. We meet to support each other, explore ways to improve culture and inclusivity in the Division and have fun! We also host open sessions for allies to join us in these discussions.
Faculty Advisors:
Michael Rowley
kmichaelrowley@pt.usc.edu
Pamela Mikkelsen
pamela.mikkelsen@pt.usc.edu
Student Leader:
Justin Tong
justinto@usc.edu
Middle Eastern Student Affinity Group
The Middle Eastern Affinity Group is a Division organization run by students that seeks to provide a safe and informative community for people of Middle Eastern ethnicity and/or affiliation to discuss their cultural experiences, concerns and opportunities regarding being a student, alumnus, faculty member or staff member at USC and in the US. Of particular interest is how these experiences shape physical therapy practice, education and research.
To date the group has explored the following topics:
- Cultural similarities and differences
- Our diverse ethnic backgrounds
- Systemic racism and injustice towards our ethnic groups
- Frustrations, challenges, and experiences in life, academia, and in the clinical setting
- Ideas about how to move forward and improve life for us as middle easterners in society and in the academic setting
- Establish faculty/alumni-student mentorship relationships
Faculty Advisor:
George Salem
gsalem@pt.usc.edu
Student Leader:
Leana Mosesian
mosesian@usc.edu
Students Exploring Anti-Racism Community Huddle (SEARCH)
SEARCH exists for students to explore, process and learn in an interactive and reflective manner on how to be better allies and advocates in the pursuit of being anti-racist. These discussions are intended to stimulate personal growth by creating a safe place to progress as well as explore what it looks like to be increasingly anti-racist as an individual, a DPT student, a healthcare provider, as well as a member of our local, national and global community. The intention is to give primarily White and non-Black persons the opportunity to discuss race and our role in equality and equity without overburdening our Black peers, but all are welcome. We hope to augment the work of Black, Indigenous AND People of Color by uplifting and supporting PTMLA and other student affinity groups.
Faculty Advisor:
Elle Bottrell
bottrell@usc.edu
Student Leaders:
Josh Limlingan
jlimling@usc.edu
Connor Munro
cmunro@usc.edu
Carly Post
carlypos@usc.edu
Division Resources
Black Lives Matter Resources
Faculty, Staff and Student Groups
USC Resources
Asian Pacific American Students Services
Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs
Disability Services and Programs
Diversity at USC
First Generation Plus Success Center
La Casa
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Center
Mindful USC
Native American Student Union
Office of International Services
Office of Religious Life
SCampus
Student Basic Needs
USC Office of Equity, Equal Opportunity & Title IX
USC Office of the Ombuds
USC Student Affairs
USC Support and Advocacy
USC Veterans Resource Center
National Physical Therapy Resources
American Council of Academic Physical Therapy
Black Rehabilitation Manifesto
National Association of Black Physical Therapists
PT Proud
USC-XULA EARLY ASSURANCE PROGRAM
USC has partnered with Xavier University of Louisiana, a historically Black university, to create a pipeline for promising students interested in entering the field of physical therapy.
Once accepted into the program, XULA students will receive mentorship from USC faculty members as well as summer opportunities to gain research and clinical experience.
After graduating from XULA, Early Assurance Program students will be admitted to USC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program, given they’ve completed all program requirements, including maintaining a 3.2 GPA and completing all prerequisite courses and required clinical experience hours.
Click here for more information about our Early Assurance Program.
USC-XULA Frequently Asked Questions
USC Program Contact: Terry Richardson II
ENROLLMENT OF UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITIES (URM) IN USC DPT PROGRAM
Nearly 80 percent of the physical therapy profession is Caucasian, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is our goal to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the profession, mirroring the societal makeup of the patients we treat. The following show how our efforts compare to U.S. national averages.

Entry Year | Students Enrolled (#) | American Indian | Black | Hispanic | Total URM | Percentage URM | All US Programs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | 95 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3% | 8% |
2011 | 94 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 14% | 8% |
2012 | 96 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 9% | 9% |
2013 | 97 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 20 | 21% | 7.5% |
2014 | 95 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 16% | 8% |
2015 | 97 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 21% | 8% |
2016 | 96 | 0 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 25% | 9% |
2017 | 100 | 1 | 8 | 21 | 30 | 30% | 10% |
2018 | 145 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 23 | 16% | 10% |
2019 | 145 | 1 | 11 | 29 | 41 | 28% | 11% |
2020 | 149 | 3 | 11 | 27 | 41 | 28% | Data Not Yet Available |
5-Yr Avg. | 127 | 1.2 | 8.2 | 22.4 | 31.8 | 25.4% |
BIAS INCIDENT REPORTING
We take bias, bigotry and hate very seriously and want every member of our community to feel welcome and safe. We encourage all community members who have witnessed or experienced a bias incident to report it. You may do so by following the link below. Your report can be completely anonymous (we do not even track IP addresses) if you would like. You can include your name and contact information, if you would like a follow-up. Your report will be directed to the Chair of the Diversity, Anti-Racism, Inclusion and Community Engagement Council. Note: If you have witnessed a crime, or feel you are in immediate danger, please contact the USC Department of Public Safety at (323) 442-1000 for emergencies and (323) 442-1200 for non-emergencies.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Below find all upcoming events from here at the Division as well as across USC pertaining to issues related to diversity and anti-racism.
