Academic Review


The Academic Review process consists of on-going, high quality, peer reviews of all academic units offered at USC. The purpose is to foster academic excellence at all levels, to determine how to raise quality to a higher level, and to provide guidance for administrative decisions in support of continued future improvement. The University Committee on Academic Review (UCAR) oversees the academic review process.

Academic reviews at USC have the following characteristics:

  • Reviews provide a concise, honest appraisal of an academic program’s strengths and weaknesses.
  • Reviews are forward looking. While assessment of a unit’s current status is important, priorities for continued future improvement are of greatest concern.
  • Reviews are evaluative, not just descriptive. Plans for improvement require academic judgments about the quality of the faculty, academic program(s), students, curricula, resources and future directions.
  • Reviews incorporate expert assessment provided by prominent faculty in the field at other leading universities and by faculty from other units at USC.

Academic Affairs advances the provost’s academic priorities, supports cross-school educational initiatives, and conducts academic reviews.

Donna Garcia

The Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Faculty Development manages the Academic Review process, serves as a point of contact for faculty development initiatives (e.g., Dean Onboarding, Department Chair leadership development, University Research Network), Faculty Awards and Recognition, Workday job posting requisitions, Posting Waivers, and the Faculty Application Manager.

Phone: (213) 740-9584
E-mail: dlgarcia@usc.edu

Last updated on October 2023