Dean Yannis C. Yortsos receives a surprise award from students in the USC Rocket Propulsion Lab (RPL), in recognition of his years of support. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
Behind every research breakthrough, every class and every student success story at USC Viterbi School of Engineering is a network of people making it all work.
On April 28, at Ginsburg Auditorium, the school recognized those contributions at its 2026 Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony, honoring individuals whose efforts support research, teaching and the day-to-day operations that keep the school moving forward.
Catalyst for Change Award
A highlight of the ceremony was the introduction of the Catalyst for Change Award, presented for the first time this year.
“I have often paralleled our staff as the catalysts who accelerate the work we do between faculty and students,” said Dean Yannis Yortsos. “Their efforts to create order over chaos, especially in uncertain times, have been incredible.”
The inaugural award was presented to Ben Sample, whose work in Viterbi Business Affairs has significantly strengthened operations across USC Viterbi.
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Ben Sample, recipient of the Catalyst for Change Award, and Vice Dean for Administration and Finance Kimberly Bregenzer. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
Staff Awards
“Excellence here is not about perfection. It’s about persistence,” said Kim Bregenzer, USC Viterbi’s vice dean of administration and finance, as she presented the staff awards. “It’s about people who step in, figure things out, improve processes, and support one another every single day.”
The Viterbi Staff Award for Excellence was awarded to Andy Chen, USC Viterbi assistant dean, student and academic services, recognized for his leadership and contributions to improving operations and supporting students and faculty.
The Linda Rock Staff Award for Service was presented to Leticia Cornelio, executive director of finance, whose decades of service have made a lasting impact at USC.
“I’m honestly shocked, and I’m so grateful,” Cornelio said. “It’s been a wonderful journey working with all of you.”
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Andy Chen, recipient of the Viterbi Staff Award for Excellence, and Vice Dean for Administration and Finance Kimberly Bregenzer. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Leticia Cornelio, recipient of the Linda Rock Staff Award for Service, and Vice Dean for Administration and Finance Kimberly Bregenzer. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
Faculty Research Awards
Faculty research awards were presented by Lucio Soibelman, the Fred Champion Chair in Engineering and professor in the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Spatial Sciences Institute, recognizing outstanding contributions across multiple areas of research. Soibelman is the current chair of the Engineering Faculty Council (EFC).
Two recipients were named for the Junior Research Award: Zhenglu Li, assistant professor in the Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, who was unable to attend, and Hangbo Zhao, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and the Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering.
The Senior Research Award was awarded to Mercedeh Khajavikhan, professor in the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who was unable to attend, and Assad Oberai, Hughes Professor in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.
The Use-Inspired Research Award was presented to Emilio Ferrara, professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, whose work has advanced understanding of misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic through large-scale social media data.
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Hangbo Zhao, recipient of the Junior Research Award, and Lucio Soibelman. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Assad Oberai, recipient of the Senior Research Award, and Lucio Soibelman. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Emilio Ferrara, recipient of the Use-Inspired Research Award, and Lucio Soibelman. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
Faculty Mentorship Award
The Ershaghi Faculty Mentorship Award was presented to David Gerber, professor of practice in the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and in architecture, in recognition of his outstanding mentorship of undergraduate and master’s students. Gerber was unable to attend the ceremony, and the award was accepted on his behalf.
Teaching Awards
Teaching awards were presented by Professor Erik Johnson, USC Viterbi vice dean for academic programs.
Recipients included Ali Abbas, professor in the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, who received the Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award; Harly Ramsey, associate professor of technical communication practice in the Engineering in Society program, who received the Dean’s Award for Innovation in Teaching and Education; and James Chase, part-time lecturer in astronautical engineering, who received the Viterbi Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award.
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Ali Abbas, recipient of the Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award, and Erik Johnson. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Harly Ramsey, recipient of the Dean’s Award for Innovation in Teaching and Education, and Erik Johnson. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
(Left to right) Dean Yannis C. Yortsos, Jim Chase, recipient of the Viterbi Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award, and Erik Johnson. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
Faculty and Special Service Awards
The John O’Brien Faculty Service Award was presented to Timothy Pinkston, George Pfleger Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering and professor in the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, recognizing his longstanding contributions to faculty development and mentorship. Pinkston was unable to attend the ceremony and was recognized in absentia.
The Special Service Award was presented to Dawn Kennedy, USC deputy general counsel for labor and employment, honoring contributions that support the school through partnerships beyond USC Viterbi.
A slide recognizing Timothy Pinkston as recipient of the John O’Brien Faculty Service Award at the USC Viterbi Staff and Faculty Awards. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
(Left to right) Dawn Kennedy, recipient of the Special Service Award, and Dean Yannis C. Yortsos. (Photo/Magali Gruet)
Recognizing the Community
The event offered a moment to recognize and thank the staff and faculty whose work supports the school every day.
A slideshow highlighting moments from Dean Yortsos’ years at USC Viterbi, from time with students and faculty to appearances at events across campus, added a reflective note to the program.
The ceremony concluded with a special presentation from USC’s Rocket Propulsion Lab, recognizing Yortsos for 21 years of support and leadership.
In closing remarks, Yortsos congratulated the award recipients and thanked the organizers who made the event possible.
Published on May 11th, 2026
Last updated on May 11th, 2026