Research

Center for Student Support Systems

The USD School of Education established The Center for Student Support Systems (CS3) in December 2002 in response to an urgent need to improve the quality of guidance and counseling and related student support programs and services in California and beyond. The purpose of CS3 is to strengthen the practice of counseling and related student support services in schools through improving theory, leadership and advocacy, and program development and evaluation. The center's vision is that all K-12 students in California and beyond be served by data-driven comprehensive student support systems.

PURE (Pre-Undergraduate Research Experience)

One goal of the institution is for this climate of inclusion and tolerance to emerge beyond the walls of the University and permeate the local community. The primary goal of the PURE program, which was initiated by faculty members in science departments, is to increase the interest, retention, and achievement of under-represented students through their active involvement in a scientific research project. PURE (Pre-Undergraduate Research Experience) identifies high school students who will begin classes at USD in the fall and invites them to spend the summer prior to their freshman year carrying out research in laboratories on the USD campus. PURE is designed to ease the transition from the high school academic setting to the University campus environment for emerging young scientists who may be the first in their homes to pursue a college education.

SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience)

The SURE program was created to foster student interest in science, enhance student affiliation with scientific disciplines and faculty, and provide financial support for joint student-faculty summer research projects. It is open to USD students majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Marine Science, Math/Computer Science, Physics, and Psychology to work with USD Faculty in those departments or programs.