USC Rossier Program 'Third Space Youth Institute' Teaches California Teens 'Power Skills'
The University of Southern California (USC) Rossier School of Education has taken over the 'Third Space Youth Institute,' a workforce readiness program for high school students. This summer, 124 high school students from Riverside and Los Angeles counties participated in a week-long residential program at USC, focusing on developing essential 'power skills' for college and the workforce. The curriculum is built around five critical attributes: adaptability, cultural competency, empathy, intellectual curiosity, and 360-degree thinking (ACE-IT). Students engaged in instruction on each attribute, worked in small teams on a final project, and met with college advisors. The program, previously housed at USC Annenberg for six years, aims to provide early exposure to these crucial skills, which instructor Leo Medina notes are distinct from technical skills often taught by other organizations.
