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

I’m a Los Angeles native, and I’d been working in art conservation and audiobook production for the two years since my undergraduate graduation from Auburn University. Getting into film and TV production was a big goal of mine, and I was fortunate enough to be selected for the Sony Pictures Fellowship program, so Annenberg has provided me with an incredible opportunity to get into the exact industry I’ve had ambitions of.

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

I was talking with my father one day about what’s next for me, and the possibility of graduate school came up. He said something along the lines of “if you’re living in LA, why don’t you go all the way and really live in LA.” That was his way of saying USC is the way to go. The SJAC program caught my eye as a way to gain experience working with industry experts and learn how to become a proper producer, and Professor Garza sealed the deal when we learned that we had both been at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. 

What have you enjoyed most about the degree program?

I might be a fringe case, because I don’t aspire to be a ‘journalist’. What this program does exceptionally well is teach students how to conceptualize, produce, and polish a project from top to bottom, no matter what format it be: print, radio, video, live broadcast, etc. The professors are all experienced professionals in their respective industries, and they offer real, practical advice on top of a comprehensive curriculum. And it’s a killer place to say you went to school. USC turns heads.