Academic Engagement

The Schwarzenegger Institute believes in engaging USC students by instilling the importance of post partisan leadership and the power to impact change.  We do this in classes, at student festivals and at our convenings.

Leadership for a Post-Partisan Age

In Fall 2012, The Institute launched a new interdisciplinary course— Leadership for a Post-Partisan Age—that draws students from across the USC campus. The class explores the role of political parties and ideology on policymaking, as well as the potential of social media, participatory journalism and post-partisanship to effect change. The course culminates in leadership team presentations and policy discussions with Gov. Schwarzenegger. The Institute anticipates offering this class each fall.


Undergraduate Writers’ Conference

Schwarzenegger Prize for Writing

Each year, students have the opportunity to submit original work for consideration at the Undergraduate Writers’ Conference. Students who enter compete for prizes in four categories, meet in small panel discussions, and enjoy a banquet with fellow writers. Entries were eligible for the Schwarzenegger Institute Prize if they proposed a real world solution to a serious policy challenge that improves the lives of people and communities in one or more of the following policy areas: education; environment & energy; health & wellness; fiscal & economic; and/or political reform.


Research Symposium

Schwarzenegger Prize for Research

The Undergraduate Symposium provides students with the unique opportunity to exhibit and share examples of their significant research and creativity with the university community.  To be eligible for the Schwarzenegger Institute Prize entries in this competition must focus on real world solutions to a serious policy challenge that improves the lives of people and communities in one or more of the following policy areas: education; environment & energy; health & wellness; fiscal & economic; and/or political reform.