Oluchi Madu’s Post

The more that I speak with people, and read their stories, emails, and responses to our surveys, and the more I search through the documents saved by past members of Staff Assembly in my role as the current Secretary, it has become crystal clear that the tuition assistance benefit is something the University has wanted to (and tried to) cancel multiple times over the past four decades. The only difference between now and then, is that in the past there was some semblance of open communication, mutual respect, and an understanding of shared outcomes between USC's leadership and our employees. It was understood that our success and future were (at least sort-of) linked. Recommendations were often agreed to by leadership because it was understood they were made in good faith by hardworking employees- many in volunteer roles- and were actually what was in the best interest of everyone at USC. This time, it was different. The decision was made in secret, and there wasn't even a formal announcement. Their decision canceled: -an entire class of grandfathered employees (aka the "15-year letter") -graduate degrees for all eligible dependents, starting in Summer 2025 -the age cap of 35 (or 30), shifting to a maximum age of 26 for all dependents -graduate certificates for all employees The university communication on October 29, 2024, reinstated the 15-year letter. But everything about this decision has been counter to the Unifying Values. The decision was- and still is- out of alignment with literally every single one. Integrity - “We do the right thing” Excellence - “We bring our best selves” Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - “We all belong” Well-being - “We honor the whole person” Open Communication - “We share openly and honestly” Accountability - “We take responsibility” Related to our dependents, here is the language from just one version of the 15-year letter (dated December 1, 2014). Would you feel comfortable if that verbiage was included in the promissory note of a vested benefit you had already earned? How does that wording align with the values of integrity, accountability, and excellence? "The University's tuition assistance policy currently in effect and outlined above is subject to change or termination at any time by the University, at its sole discretion, without prior notice or liability for such changes or termination." In my research, it appears that the cancellation language was first added somewhere in between September 1993 and April of 1994. This year, I'll still be #grateful for the wonderful people I work with daily, and my department, and my immediate leadership. But true #gratitude and #thanksgiving will come only when the tuition benefits that were cancelled by #USC are reinstated for all of our current (*and former grandfathered) employees, based on the terms and promises we were hired under. #fighton #my15atusc -Phil https://lnkd.in/g2jg9_t5 https://lnkd.in/gwRyTRrF

Dive into how tech meets societal challenges with us. Join a discussion with Professor Velian Pandeliev UXD Professor of Faculty of Information, University of Toronto , as we explore solutions to the #housingcrisis.🏠 Sneak peek to one of his great respond to - How does the study of technology and computer science benefit our lives, and will it contribute to solving the housing challenges?💡 https://lnkd.in/dWf_PvpN

An excellent approach to the constantly changing world we live in.

🎓 Academia thrives when we feel free to question, discuss, and disagree. When self-censorship grows on campus, truth-seeking and knowledge-generating recedes. 🗣️ Join HxA members like Cory Clark to courageously protect open inquiry in our universities today. Don't let groupthink grow in academia: become a member now at no cost (details below) ⬇️ #educationquotes #selfcensorship #freespeechmatters #academicfreedom #academicnews #InstitutionalNeutrality #EducationReform

Today is National Study Abroad Day and this past Saturday was National TRIO Day so I'm celebrating both days in one post! Beyond the Instagram worthy photos & videos from across the world, study abroad is an experience - a high impact practice - that supports student's academic achievement, interpersonal growth, and career success. Today, as Diversity Abroad mentioned "Let's commit to building inclusive programming that ensures every student, regardless of background, can benefit from the enriching journey of education abroad." As we reflect on the incredible impact TRIO programs have had on student's lives, it's important that we recommit to support TRIO students in their pursuit of study abroad and other opportunities that enhance their educational experience. In the latest Includifi article my colleague Claudio Castaneda discusses how to empower TRIO students through equitable access to study abroad and other high impact practices. See below 👇 #highimpactpractices #studyabroad #BelongingPowersSuccess

Last week, 2U emerged from bankruptcy. Just 46 days in and out. That's impressive - regardless of industry, people, or situation. Today I'd like to congratulate 2U, it's leadership and new owners on the emergence and having a more stable financial position. Paul S. Lalljie , Matthew Norden, Andrew Hermalyn, Anant Agarwal, and now Brian Napack - nice work. You think I'm bring sarcastic? I'm not. 2U has been, is and seems now it will continue to be an important part of the ed tech ecosystem. While over the years, at times I've shared differences of opinion with their approach, I've always admired the high-quality online educational experiences they built. My first time teaching experience in higher education (13 years ago) was on the 2U platform, for UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. To this day I often point to UNC's global immersions as a hallmark of experiential learning in an online modality. 2U going away would not be good for higher education. Period. More than 20% of college students are now studying entirely online. We need more companies like 2U, and yes - 2u themselves, to continue pushing the frontier of possibilities, enabling online education to expand access and decrease cost for millions of learners. 

𝗦𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗘𝗧 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗸𝘆𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟱,𝟱𝟬𝟬! 🚀 This steady growth in acceptance is part of a broader trend towards taking a more student-centric approach to admissions – one that values diversity, inclusivity, and student choice. What does this tell us about the future of testing? 🔮 https://lnkd.in/ecNnnCSa

It was an enriching experience to engage with the 10th standard students (60 of them) of Sahaya Matha Matriculation School on the topic of 'Goal Setting.' Together, we explored the practical application of the SMART technique—ensuring that goals are Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Time-Bound, both for individual aspirations and collective endeavours. We emphasized the importance of not just setting goals but also establishing actionable plans to achieve them. During our discussion, we challenged the notion of obstacles, questioning whether the difficulties we face are indeed insurmountable challenges or simply opportunities for growth. We also examined the profound impact of our environment on our aspirations and achievements. As our conversation deepened, I found myself reflecting on Richard Feynman's study technique—a method that encourages active engagement with the material. This technique resonated with me as I shared the inspiring story of a visually impaired girl whose unwavering ambition to become a collector exemplifies the power of determination and resilience in the face of adversity. We explored the transformative potential of our thoughts and habits, recognizing that by consciously shaping our mindset and behaviour, we can steer the course of our future. Through mindful control of our habits, we become the architects of our destiny, rather than mere passengers to fate. Together, we reaffirmed the belief that with purposeful intention and concerted effort, any dream—no matter how ambitious—can be realized. It is in our hands to carve out the path to success, one deliberate step at a time.

To the batch of 2025-2026, we’re deeply sorry to inform you that SAT/ACT is back! 📚😱 For generations, American teens have taken the SAT, a blood pressure-raising multi-hour exam that could make or break their future. But during the pandemic, many prestigious universities—Harvard being one of the first—announced these tests would be optional and extended that policy through 2026, proving Thomas Edison’s famous quote, “A single sheet of paper can't decide my future,” right. Qualified kids who were afraid of their scores were given a golden chance to apply to their dream college. However, most of these universities are now reversing their test-optional policy, specifically because it helped them identify kids from diverse backgrounds. At the same time, at least 1,825 US colleges and universities, or more than 80% of four-year schools, will still not require testing for 2025 admissions, according to FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing. Check the list to see if your dream college falls into this category Comment down below any other schools requiring test scores that we may have missed! 📝👇 #CollegePrep #SAT #ACT #ClassOf2025 #TestOptional #FairTest #DreamCollege

We can discover aspects of ourselves in different ways. It could be from a conversation with a parent or colleague, upon reflection or through a simulation exercise on wounds! Yeah you guessed right. Click on the post for more details!