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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
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About Us
About Us

USC Chan Strategic Plan 2024–28

Grace Baranek

Dear Trojan Family,

I am pleased to introduce USC Chan Strategic Plan FY 2024-28, a framework to guide us toward our collective future across four goals and two cross-cutting themes together representing USC Chan’s educational, research and clinical enterprise.

This strategic plan is a recalibration of our previous Strategic Plan FY 2019-23, which brought many of our goals to fruition during the past five years. Yet this newly refreshed plan is also a reflection of the myriad ways that health care has since evolved, driven by innovations in telemedicine, data analytics and AI, personalized care and patient–provider connectedness, to name just a few. Higher education has likewise evolved thanks to major shifts toward online learning, DAE efforts, flexible curricula and global perspectives.

Therefore, you’ll discover that Strategic Plan FY 2024-28 is responsive to these continually changing contexts we operate within. It is also aligned with the strategic plans of the university and our administrative home at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, synergies that will empower every Trojan to best fulfill our duties on our campuses, across Los Angeles, and throughout the nation and world.

Crafting this plan was an intentional, data-driven, transparent and collaborative process involving more than 80 people. I want to recognize their steadfast dedication and thoughtful input, and I hope they can see their own work reflected in this plan. I also want to thank the dozens of faculty, staff and students who are currently members of our Strategic Plan Implementation Teams, working together to turn lofty language into what matters most — tangible outcomes across our tri-partite mission to optimize people’s engagement in the ordinary and extraordinary activities of life.

Together, let’s see this journey onward to 2028. For questions or comments regarding the USC Chan Strategic Plan, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Fight On!
Grace Baranek PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Associate Dean, Chair and Mrs. T.H. Chan Professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy
at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Download the USC Chan Strategic Plan 2024–28 Overview as a PDF document.

USC Chan Strategic Plan 2024–28

Vision Statement

Lead innovation to advance health and well-being through meaningful occupations.

Mission Statement

Through innovative research, education and clinical practice, the USC Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy optimizes people’s engagement in the ordinary and extraordinary activities of life.

Core Values

COMPASSION

Caring deeply and genuinely for people and all elements of the human condition.

INTEGRITY

Fulfilling our commitment to honesty, transparency and accountability for our actions and outcomes.

COLLABORATION

Working with partners across disciplines and in the community to identify needs and develop solutions.

INCLUSION

Embracing diversity, full participation and health equity.

DISTINCTION

Pursuing unmatched excellence and setting the highest standards of quality in all our endeavors.

INNOVATION

Cultivating curiosity, creative thinking and novel methods that positively impact pressing social and health needs.

USC Chan Strategic Plan 2024–28
Vision, Goals, and Cross-Cutting Themes

Lead innovation to advance health and well-being through meaningful occupations.

Innovative Approaches

Generate and integrate knowledge to advance the role of occupation in individual and societal well-being.

Confident Leaders

Prepare diverse leaders with a strong identity and understanding of occupation and its ability to enhance participation and well-being.

Impactful Partnerships

Engage in collaborations and partnerships within and outside of the USC Community to collectively address societal needs.

Healthy Communities

Improve health equity, well-being and quality of life in the Division and across local, national and global communities.

Diversity, Access, and Equity (DAE)
Ensure that all faculty, staff and students are valued, and work collectively to promote an inclusive profession that meets the diverse needs of individuals and communities.

Knowledge Mobilization
Co-produce knowledge and accelerate movement of discoveries into active use for broader societal impact.

USC Chan Strategic Plan 2024–28
Goals, Cross-Cutting Themes and Supporting Strategies

Goals and Supporting Strategies
1. Innovative Approaches
Generate and integrate knowledge to advance the role of occupation in individual and societal well-being.
2. Confident Leaders
Prepare diverse leaders with a strong identity and understanding of occupation and its ability to enhance participation and well-being.
1.1: Develop and grow research programs where USC Chan can accelerate impact.

1.2: Continually reshape practice with innovative technologies and methods that achieve the highest individual and social benefits.

1.3: Develop, test and disseminate approaches that demonstrate the value of occupational science and occupational therapy.
2.1: Create an environment for the occupational therapy community to develop a strong professional identity and skillset for advancing education, research, and practice in the changing healthcare landscape.

2.2: Ensure faculty, students and professionals can articulate and support the value of occupational science in advancing health and participation.

2.3: Inspire and educate students and faculty to effect change through policy, government, and advocacy.
3. Impactful Partnerships
Engage in collaborations and partnerships within and outside of the USC Community to collectively address societal needs.
4. Healthy Communities
Improve health equity, well-being and quality of life in the Division and across local, national and global communities.
3.1: Develop internal infrastructure, processes and measures that ensure successful partnerships and synergistic collaborations across mission areas.

3.2: Strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across USC.

3.3: Engage with local, national, and global community partners to build inclusive, healthy communities.
4.1: Foster a supportive and transparent culture and environment to enable all faculty, staff and students to thrive.

4.2: Increase access to resources that address occupational needs that promote health and well-being of individuals and communities globally.

4.3: Advocate for policy at institutional, professional, and governmental levels to enhance participation and health equity.
Cross-Cutting Themes and Supporting Strategies
A. Diversity, Access, and Equity
Ensure that all faculty, staff and students are valued, and work collectively to promote an inclusive profession that meets the diverse needs of individuals and communities.
A.1: Expand diversity, access, and equity in the occupational science and occupational therapy workforce.

A.2: Develop and maintain a diverse, accessible, equitable, and supportive climate within the Chan Division for all students, staff, and faculty.

A.3: Develop and inform Chan programs and processes that reduce disparities and increase access for all.
B. Knowledge Mobilization
Co-produce knowledge and accelerate movement of discoveries into active use for broader societal impact.
B.1: Develop a knowledge mobilization center that will identify, invest in, and sustain key initiatives that represent the Division’s strategic priorities and bridge education, research and practice.

B.2: Advance recognition of the value of occupational science, occupational therapy and the Chan Division.

B.3: Fast track adoption and integration of innovative discoveries and interventions to shape practice and policy.

USC Chan Strategic Plan 2019-23