Name: Phil Javellana

Graduation Year: 2009

Hometown: Columbia, Maryland

Current Residence: Washington, D.C.

Current Job Position: Communications Manager, The Aspen Institute / Aspen Global Leadership Network

Recent Accomplishments: I'm building a communications platform that will empower global leaders in the private and public sectors to collaborate on solving some of the world's most challenging social and environmental challenges.

Twitter: @philjav

Favorite thing about USC Annenberg: The cohort of people in my Global Communications program. I was really lucky to have met such an amazingly talented group of people, many of whom I remain close with to this day. Another great thing about Annenberg is how free you are to explore your intellectual interests. I was keenly interest in networks and online communities and I have wonderful professors, particularly in Manuel Castells and Janet Fulk, who helped expand my thinking. I'm happy to say that I'm still applying the lessons I learned in their classes in my current role.

Favorite thing about Los Angeles: For a city that is panned for being shallow, the irony is that its real beauty lies below the surface, behind the facades you see from the street. Everything you want in a cosmopolitan city is there, but it doesn't just give its treasures to you--you have to go out and find them yourself, and those who do are rewarded handsomely.