Salpi Ghazarian joined the USC Institute of Armenian Studies in 2014 to lead an institute dedicated to advancing contemporary Armenian studies in a broad, multidisciplinary, global framework.She assumed the position after returning to Los Angeles from Yerevan, Armenia, where she lived for 15 years and during that time co-founded and directed the Civilitas Foundation.
 

"Aurora Prize talks about the humanitarian work at a time in the world where it seems to be one of the most needs that there are. And as Armenians, I think we have an extra not just responsibility, but opportunity and privilege to step in and do something about the goodness in the world, because we were the beneficiaries of goodness from total strangers," mentions Salpi Ghazarian, director of the USC Institute of Armenian Studies.