USC Iovine and Young Academy

Stepping onto the University of Southern California campus, you’ll find a hub of innovation. It’s the USC Iovine and Young Academy. This isn’t your typical classroom setting. The USC Iovine and Young Academy, often called IYA, is where the worlds of arts, technology, and business collide. Founded in 2013 thanks to a generous $70 million donation from Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, the Academy became USC’s 20th professional school. Iovine and Young envisioned a place where students could break the mold. They wanted to equip the next generation with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the 21st century. The result? The USC Iovine and Young Academy. This academy isn’t for everyone. It’s highly selective, accepting a small cohort of driven students each year. These students aren’t just learning; they’re creating, innovating, and disrupting. As of 2021, Academy startups have impressively raised over $120 million in funding and acquisitions. The Academy’s home, Iovine and Young Hall, opened its doors in 2019. This three-story, 40,000-square-foot building is a playground for the creative mind. Inside, you’ll discover a fabrication lab equipped for metal, wood, plastic, and electronics work. There’s a multimedia lab for motion capture, photography, video, and audio production. Adaptive studio/lecture classrooms encourage dynamic learning. An alumni incubator provides space for Academy student-founded companies to flourish. And, of course, there’s even a podcast booth. The USC Iovine and Young Academy isn’t just an educational institution. It’s a launchpad for groundbreaking ideas, a testament to the power of interdisciplinary thinking, and a breeding ground for the disruptors and innovators of tomorrow. The degree here? It’s in disruption.