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

I’m from Wilmington, California, aka the Heart of the Harbor. I am a digital media professional, and continue to work full time as I pursue my degree.

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

While attending the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) conference in 2020, I spoke with Professor Miki Turner at the Annenberg virtual “booth.” I later conversed with Professors Sasha Anawalt and Willa Seidenberg about the specialized journalism (the arts) track and how it would suit my particular interests and circumstances. The SJA program gave me the flexibility of taking courses over two years instead of the traditional one-year curriculum, and distinguished itself by promoting study at USC’s six arts schools. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

I am using my time at USC to sharpen my critical thinking and reporting skills. Through my assignments, I’ve connected with creatives bringing vibrancy, meaning, and inspiration to our communities. Art is vital, and the SJA program treats it as such.