Meet Our Team
Meet Our Team
- Faculty Advisors -
Tamara Black
Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Writing
Dr. Tamara Luqué Black joined the University of Southern California’s Writing Program in 2014, bringing with her more than a decade of teaching experience. After earning a PhD in Sociology from UCLA in 2008, she balanced her energies across teaching and consulting. In her private consulting practice, she advised undergraduates, graduate students, and non-profit organizations on the design and implementation of qualitative research and writing projects within the social sciences and humanities. From 2011 until 2014, she served as a lecturer and faculty coordinator for an interdisciplinary course within UCLA’s Freshman Cluster program.
Now a proud Trojan, Dr. Black enjoys teaching a variety of lower- and upper-division courses in rhetoric and composition at USC, including Contemporary Economics, Identity & Diversity, Technology & Social Change, Advanced Writing for Economics, Advanced Writing for the Arts & Humanities, and Advanced Writing for the Social Sciences. Like her teaching, Dr. Black's service contributions emphasize student support and pedagogy through activities such as coaching Fulbright applicants, organizing professional workshops on topics including Peer Response and Student Mental Health, and serving as one of the faculty advisors for the Shaukat Initiative’s student leadership team.
Message to Students and Parents
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On behalf of The Shaukat Initiative’s student leadership team and faculty advisors, welcome! We are so excited that you will be participating in our program at the University of Southern California. Our instructors have designed their courses especially for you, on a range of topics in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
In addition to imparting subject-specific concepts and skills, each course engages with the ethical concerns raised within that field of study. To rise to the demands of the 21st century’s most recalcitrant problems, young people must acquire knowledge and hone critical thinking and moral reasoning capabilities. The Shaukat Initiative pursues these goals in tandem in an environment that is stimulating, safe, and fun. Classes are small, interactive, free, and taught by a highly motivated team of caring USC undergraduate and graduate student instructors.
I am more impressed than ever by the commitment, preparation, and passion with which The Shaukat Initiative’s instructors approach their work. We look forward to working with you, and again, welcome!
Lucas Herchenroeder is Assistant Professor (Teaching) and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Classics at USC. He received his M.A. in Classics from the University of Maryland (2003) and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California (2010). Dr. Herchenroeder’s teaching and research interests span broadly over the languages, literatures, and cultures of classical antiquity. He teaches courses regularly in Latin and Greek literature, and on topics in classical thought and culture in USC’s General Education program. He is a lover or books and of the arts, and passionate about working for a strong role for the humanities in higher education.
​Lucas Herchenroeder
Assistant Professor (Teaching) of Classics
Message to Students and Parents
I am thrilled to be returning to work with the Shaukat Initiative in its second year. I have been continually impressed — and inspired — by the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of its young students, and by the great devotion of its talented leadership and teaching staff. The program represents the best of what Trojans are capable of in reaching the world outside of the classroom, and I am grateful for the chance to help our next generation of leaders find their scholarly bearings.
Sheila Sofian
Professor of Cinematic Arts
Sheila M. Sofian creates films that investigate social issues utilizing a unique hybrid of animation and documentary. Sofian has produced seven award-winning independent animated films. She recently completed production on “Truth Has Fallen”, a feature length animated/live action documentary about people wrongfully convicted of murder and flaws in the United States legal system that led to these injustices. Sofian has received grants from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, the Rockefeller Media Arts Award, the Roy W. Dean Film Grant, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, the Women in Film Foundation and the Pew Fellowships in the Arts.
Sofian studied at The United World College of South East Asia in Singapore and Old Dominion University in Virginia before receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Film and Animation at the Rhode Island School of Design and her Master of Fine Arts from the California Institute of the Arts. Sofian was head of the Animation Program at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia from 1992-1997. She chaired the Animation Program at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita from 2001-2006. Sofian is currently Full Professor at the University of Southern California. Her work can be viewed at www.sheilasofian.com
Message to Students and Parents
It has been a great pleasure working with the Shaukat Initiative. This student-run organization aims to provide thought-provoking and stimulating courses to high school students and to give the USC student instructors the tools they need to become effective teachers. It has been a great honor to assist these dedicated instructors with their mission and to witness the growth of both the instructors and students throughout the course. I am so impressed with the selfless dedication of these instructors. Their enthusiasm in contagious, and the students benefit from the course content as well as the example these instructors set.
- Executive Board -
Rachel Cassar is a senior at USC, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English with minors in Education and Psychology. She is a Co-Director for Shaukat and has been involved with the program for 2 semesters both as a teacher and on the Instructor Outreach team. Rachel is originally from Moorpark, CA, and has a passion for teaching secondary English Language Arts. Her long-term goal is to research and work in teacher preparation and support. Along with Shaukat, Rachel is involved in Overflow A Cappella, Christian Challenge, and the USC Mind and Society Center.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Rachel grew up on a horse ranch!
Rachel Cassar
Co-Director
Riya Valaulikar is a junior at USC, majoring in Environmental Science and Health with a minor in East Asian Languages and Cultures. She is the Co-Director at Shaukat and has been a part of the program for 5 semesters, 3 of which she has spent on the E-Board. She is originally from Memphis, TN. Outside of Shaukat, Riya is involved in a variety of extracurricular activities, including Alpha Epsilon Delta, Dear Asian Youth, The Healing Process, Research @ Caron Lab, Spanglish, and Scholars Leading Scholars. In the long term, she hopes to go to medical school and become a doctor while continuing to pursue her interests in teaching and mentoring.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Riya is a proud owner of a partially bald Pomeranian named Teddy
Riya Valaulikar
Co-Director
Aanya Agrawal is a sophomore at USC, pursuing a BA in Narrative Studies and Cognitive Science. She is a Co-Director at Shaukat and has been a part of the program for 2 semesters. She is originally from New Delhi, India. Along with Shaukat, Aanya is involved in various extracurricular activities at USC, including the Emergent Factory research lab in social psychology, the Cognitive Science honors society e-board, and a part-time job at the psychology department advising office. Her long-term goal is to make mental health resources accessible and affordable.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Aanya can sing Cheap Thrills by Sia in Sanskrit.
Aayna Agrawal
Co-Director
Sophie Garrett is a junior at USC, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She has been a part of Shaukat for two semesters and serves as both the Instructor and Social Media Outreach teams. Sophie is originally from Sacramento, California, and is interested in pursuing a master's degree in the future. Along with her involvement in Shaukat, Sophie is also a member of Sigma Eta Pi (SEP), an entrepreneurship organization on campus.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Rome my freshman year!
Sophie Garrett
Instructor & Social Media Outreach
Cat Broderick is a sophomore at USC, pursuing a degree in Creative Writing. She teaches "Contemporary Indigenous Identity" and works on the student outreach team at Shaukat. This is her second semester with the program. Originally from Cincinnati, Cat is involved in various extracurricular activities at USC, including the Prison Education Project, the Native American Student Assembly, and research projects. In the long term, she aspires to work as a nurse midwife for her community and live a short walk away from her sisters.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Cat loves art and design!
Cat Broderick
Student Outreach
Sophia Lee is a sophomore at USC, majoring in BS Real Estate Development and Business Law with a minor in Architecture. She is a member of the student outreach team at Shaukat, and this is her first semester with the program. She is originally from Santa Monica, CA. Besides Shaukat, she is involved in several clubs at USC, including KCOSO, TREA, and MREFA. Additionally, she works as a Customer Service Representative and academic tutor for student athletes. Sophia's long-term goals include pursuing a career in asset management in the real estate industry and having a job that requires a lot of traveling.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Sophia is obsessed with tiny homes and Architectural Digest home tours!
Sophia Lee
Student Outreach
Natalie Duran is a sophomore at USC, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in Education and Society. This is her second semester as a part of Shaukat. She is a member of the student outreach team. Natalie is originally from Los Angeles, CA. In the future, Natalie hopes to become a high-school English teacher or college professor.
Pronouns: she/her
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Natalie Duran
Student Outreach
- Instructors -
Phong Doozy is a senior at USC, currently pursuing a degree in Health and Human Sciences with a gerontology emphasis, a minor in Comedy Performance, a minor in Psychology and Law, and a Master of Health Administration. He has taught the course "Comedy is Remedy: Healing Through Laughter" for the past two semesters . Phong is from San Francisco. He has a long-term goal of leading a cutting-edge healthcare organization that revolutionizes the lives of older adults through innovative biomedical technology and unparalleled support services, with the ultimate goal of enhancing their quality of life. At USC, Phong is involved in various activities such as being the USG Committee Chair of Wellness, President of Healing Smiles, and Events Chairmen for Upsilon Phi Delta.
Pronouns: he/him
Fun Fact: Phong is a certified medical clown!
Phong Doozy
Comedy is Remedy: Healing through Laughter
Jessica Vi Gomez is a senior at USC, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. This is her first semester as part of Shaukat teaching the course "Influences of Early Childhood. In the future, she plans to obtain a Master's in Teaching and work as a high school biology teacher, ultimately moving up to administration after obtaining a Master's in Education Administration. She is also involved with USC Jumpstart for work study. Originally from Westminster, Orange County, Jessica has a passion for education and teaching, and hopes to one day become a professor and teach about early childhood.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Jessica loves Spongebob and often makes references to the movies and episodes
Jessica Vi Gomez
Influences of Early Childhood
Gaon Kim is pursuing her PhD in Neuroscience. It is her first semester in Shaukat teaching the course "Introduction to Neuroethics" . Originally from South Korea, Gaon earned a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology and Brain and Cognitive Science, as well as a Master's degree in Bio and Brain Engineering prior to pursuing her PhD. Her long-term goal is to become a scientist. Outside of Shaukat, Gaon is involved with Christian Challenge and the Neuroscience Graduate Forum.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Gaon has used the metric system her whole life so she's still not fully comfortable with the imperial system.
Gaon Kim
Introduction to Neuroethics
Ishaan Shrestha is a sophomore at USC pursuing a BA in Applied and Computational Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. They are teaching the Shaukat course "Videogames as Literary Texts: Analyzing Narratives in Undertale" for the second semester and are also part of the Daily Trojan editing team. Ishaan is involved in the Student Coalition Against Labor Exploitation, Society of Physics students, and mentors USC freshmen. Their long-term career aspirations include working as a software engineer or a teacher. Ishaan is originally from Washington D.C.
Pronouns: they/him
Fun Fact: The first time Ishaan taught the class, they hadn't yet finished Undertale completely!
Ishaan Shrestha
Videogames as Literature: Analyzing Narratives in Undertale and The Beginner's Guide
Genese Kim is a junior at USC studying Computer Science Games and is in her 2nd semester with Shaukat teaching the class "Video Games as Literary Texts: Analyzing Narratives in Undertale". Genese is originally from Memphis, Tennessee. Her long-term career aspirations include working in a creative field in the video game industry and creating her own visual novel/cartoon someday. Besides teaching, Genese is also part of a dance team on campus called NSQK Hip Hop Dance.
Pronouns: she/her
Fun Fact: Genese played clarinet for one year in elementary school
Genese Kim
Videogames as Literature: Analyzing Narratives in Undertale and The Beginner's Guide
Fatima Alyousefi is a junior at USC studying Political Science with a minor in Applied Analytics. This is her first semester with Shaukat, where she is teaching the class"Fiction or Fact? Literature as a Form of Social Commentary". Fatima is originally from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, At USC, she is also involved in several extracurricular activities besides Shaukat, such as Model United Nations, Annenberg Ambassador, and more.
Pronouns: she/her
Fatima Alyousefi
Fiction or Fact? Literature as a Form of Social Commentary