Dear Colleagues,
As we begin the Spring Semester, the Honorary Degrees Committee invites your participation in the nomination process for USC Honorary Degrees, and we encourage you to share this call with your colleagues. All USC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees are welcome to submit nominations for outstanding individuals, whether within or outside your area of expertise.
Purpose of USC Honorary Degrees
Honorary degrees are USC’s highest external honor. They reflect the values of the university by recognizing:
- Extraordinary achievements in research, scholarship, the professions, or creative endeavors
- Outstanding contributions to communities, the broader public good, or the welfare and development of USC
Submitting a Nomination
Nominations are submitted through the Honorary Degrees website.
While nominations are accepted throughout the academic year, we encourage early submissions. Nominations submitted and reviewed during this academic year will not be eligible for recognition before the 2027 Commencement ceremony. Only USC faculty, staff, students, alumni, and trustees may submit nominations.
The form requests:
- The name of the nominator
- A summary statement about the proposed candidate
- Any supplementary information you wish to provide
The Committee welcomes candidates representing a broad range of accomplishments, including those whose work highlights areas of strength at USC. A current USC connection is not required. Please note that current USC faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees are not eligible, unless proposed by the President.
Confidentiality
- Nominees must not be told they are under consideration.
- No letters of support should be solicited from individuals outside USC.
- Any breach of confidentiality will disqualify the nominee from consideration.
The Review Process
Every nomination is carefully reviewed by the Honorary Degrees Committee. Each year, the Committee recommends a slate of candidates to the President and Board of Trustees for inclusion in the pool of candidates. The Board of Trustees then reviews that slate and makes recommendations for inclusion in the pool. The President makes the final decision about awardees. The Commencement speaker is chosen through a separate process.
Learn More
For more information about the process, the nomination form, and a list of past recipients, please visit the Honorary Degrees website.
Thank you for helping us recognize individuals whose accomplishments and contributions exemplify USC’s highest values.
Sincerely,
Margo K. Apostolos
Chair, Honorary Degrees Committee
Professor of Dance