Where are you from, and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school?

I’m from Las Vegas, NV, and before going to USC Annenberg, I graduated from the College of the Holy Cross. I was a history major and wrote an honors thesis on U.S. press perceptions of Iranian leadership during the Cold War. The summer before moving to LA, I was studying Persian at the University of Madison-Wisconsin.

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

I knew my senior year of undergrad I wanted to go to graduate school immediately following graduation. I discovered the Master of Public Diplomacy program at Annenberg while researching programs in LA that aligned with my interests in international affairs and communication. Honestly, I had never heard of public diplomacy before finding the program, but it resonated with me given my interests in both fields. I was excited to explore this new topic and use the communication aspect of public diplomacy, in particular, to guide my future career aspirations.

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

What I’ve enjoyed most about the degree program is connecting with motivated classmates and knowledgeable professors. Everyone here is so driven, and I love hearing about their backgrounds and insights on the class materials. Additionally, I actively engage with the community through the Society of Public Diplomats where I serve as the vice president and a co-editor-in-chief of the Public Diplomacy Magazine. USC Annenberg’s supportive atmosphere has also been a highlight. USC Annenberg is incredibly supportive in helping students be successful in their professional careers. I found my current internship through a USC Annenberg career fair in the fall. I appreciate the well-rounded experience and networking opportunities that USC Annenberg provides, which have already contributed to my academic and professional growth. I can’t wait to see where the future takes me and how USC Annenberg will play a role in my journey of growth!