The Pullias Center addresses a wide range of issues related to college access and success, with the goal to improve educational outcomes for underserved students and to enhance the performance of postsecondary institutions.
We are especially concerned about equity and diversity in college and graduate education, as well as innovation and effectiveness both at postsecondary institutions and in policymaking. The questions we tackle range from the global (What educational practices will ensure that the United States remains competitive in the global economy?) to the specific (How can we inform and advance working conditions for contingent faculty?) to the local (How can we improve college application and acceptance rates for Los Angeles area students?).
Explore our current and past projects below.
Current Projects
USC Skate Studies
Studies seeking to expand notions of who skaters are and inform about the challenges, needs and strategies experienced by skaters.
Equity for Community College Students
A research initiative to understand and improve community college students’ learning outcomes and opportunities.
PASS Project
A study on the effectiveness of learning communities in improving college success rates.
Latinx Community College Student-Parents
A study on how Latinx student-parents in community colleges prepare for careers and transition into the labor market.
Men of Color
A study that examines strategies to support and engage men of color in public four-year universities.
Past Projects
Digital Equity in Education
Games-based tools to promote college access and persistence.
Competency-Based Education
A study of the relationships forged among individuals in Linked Learning Pathways, a career-oriented educational program.
IDA PAYS
A study of Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to help low-income students attain college access and success.
Transitions to Adulthood for Homeless Youth
A project to give voice to experiences of homeless youth and document their lives.
Financial Aid & Access
A study to to understand high school students’ perceptions of financial aid and access.
I AM Mentoring
An outreach program to local high schools to mentor students through the college and financial aid application process.