Upcoming Symposium

About Steve Desir

Steve Desir (he/him/his) is an Assistant Professor of Research at USC’s Pullias Center for Higher Education and Director of Professional Development and Organizational Learning  for the Equity in Graduate Education Resource Center at USC. His research focuses on racial equity and student success across K–12 and higher education, particularly how institutional policies, practices, and beliefs influence how students from minoritized groups access, experience, and succeed in educational settings. Drawing from social psychology and organizational theory, his work explores how institutions can turn commitments to equity into meaningful changes in policy and practice.

Steve has extensive professional experience across K–12 education, higher education, and education policy. He previously served as Director of College Success Programs for a large Southern California charter school network, overseeing counseling programs across 26 public schools and supporting students through the transition to college. He has also held student affairs leadership roles at universities including NYU, Rutgers, Georgia State, and Loyola Marymount. Steve holds bachelor’s degrees in economics and political science from Penn State, master’s degrees from NYU and Harvard, and a doctorate in higher education from USC. His work and commentary on college access, student success, and college transitions have been featured in outlets including The Washington Post, USA Today, LAist, and The Hechinger Report.