Thursday, September 4, 2025 | 3:00-5:00PM | Herklotz Courtyard | Register - Invitation Only

3:00PM - Check In | 3:30PM Opening Remarks | 5:00PM - Event Ends

Start your PhD journey by connecting with the people who will be part of it every step of the way! This casual, friendly reception brings together all incoming first-year Dornsife PhD students across disciplines, along with senior PhD students who can offer tips, encouragement, and insider knowledge about life at USC.

The event kicks off with check-in at 3:00 p.m., followed by brief welcome remarks at 3:30 p.m. The rest of the afternoon is all about mingling, making new friends, and finding familiar faces. Light refreshments and snacks will be served, so you can sip, snack, and socialize in a relaxed setting.

Whether you’re hoping to meet people in your field, make interdisciplinary connections, or just break the ice with your new cohort, this is the perfect opportunity to start building your Dornsife community. We hope you will join us!

*This event is designed for Dornsife Ph.D. students. If you are not a Dornsife Ph.D. student and are interested in attending, please email us at [email protected].*

If you are experiencing any symptoms or are currently in an isolation/quarantine period due to a recent infection or exposure, please do not attend. Thank you.