Despite rising housing costs, neighborhoods within walking distance to USC’s main campus remain coveted, especially for undergrads. In recent years the university has heavily invested in the continued expansion of student housing. USC Village—the largest development in the school’s history— was a $700 million endeavor completed in 2017, despite outcry from local South Central residents who feared it would only further exacerbate gentrification.
Author Archives: Michelle Zacarias
Michelle Zacarias is an award-winning journalist and adjunct instructor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where she teaches Engaging Diverse Communities. Originally from Chicago and currently living in Southern California, Michelle is passionate about covering Latine/x issues, anti-racism movements, queer identities, marginalized communities and abolition. She has previously written for Teen Vogue, The Triibe, Latina Mag, People’s World, and more. In 2018, Michelle was awarded the Saul Miller Excellence in Journalism Award for her contributions to the field. She obtained her bachelor's degree in English and Philosophy at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign and is currently pursuing her Masters in Studies of Law at USC Gould School of Law.