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

Hello! My name is Lauren and I was born and raised in beautiful Southern California, and reside in my hometown of Monrovia. Before becoming a Trojan, I was a Titan at California State University, Fullerton where I pursued communications with an emphasis in public relations and earned my digital media certification. Throughout my undergraduate studies, I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy. I felt blessed to have had the experience of the beautiful way cancer can positively impact my life and inspired me to work in communications at a cancer hospital. My personal experience with cancer motivated me to use my skills in digital marketing, public relations, creative writing, and strategic communication to work in health communication, non-profits, and charities.

As a former cancer patient, I’ve been so inspired and passionate about giving back to those who treated me with such love and care. After surviving cancer, I knew I wanted to pursue a more advanced degree, leading me to the University of Southern California.

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

My life has been beautifully changed by receiving a cancer diagnosis in college. As a cancer survivor, I have a passion for working in a nonprofit organization and using my knowledge in communications to support and help those in need. I am strongly interested in developing content for digital platforms, social media outreach, developing marketing campaigns as well as promoting the organization’s values and purpose for a hospital or non-profit organization. My cancer diagnosis was a blessing because I became more resilient, compassionate, and empathetic, and led me to my passion for giving back and making an impact. With a passion for cancer research, at USC I hoped to gain insights into telling the stories of patients like myself, gain skills in writing for cancer research, and marketing for brands in health, wellness, and personal care.

I’ve always dreamt of attending USC Annenberg due to its academic excellence, supportive community, school spirit, and esteemed faculty, and endless opportunities. I’m impressed by the graduate program’s advanced knowledge of health communication as well as the faculty’s dedication to student research. I chose the Communication Management program because I was interested in cancer research, and hoped to learn more about healthcare communications and how hospitals support their patients and promote their hospital values through marketing and branding. Health and nonprofit marketing communications was an area of focus in the program, and I was confident it would help me grow and thrive. I am in awe of USC and all it has to offer to further support me in my aspiration of working in health communications.

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

I have learned to embrace my personal story as a cancer survivor, and through my studies at USC, I’ve been able to showcase my resilience and strength for my passion in making a meaningful impact in the lives of cancer patients. Thanks to USC Annenberg, I have gained the confidence to share my journey as a cancer survivor. In the program, I have found an encouraging and academically intensive experience that constantly challenges me to grow. The friendships I’ve formed within my program have further enriched my experience at USC as well as the connections I’ve built with the esteemed faculty. I particularly love my brand storytelling and marketing classes that surround the beauty, personal care, and wellness industries. The program’s versatility allows me to acquire knowledge across various specialties and disciplines, providing a valuable foundation applicable to any field. When applying to USC, I was drawn to it as a place where I believed I could grow and thrive.

Walking onto this beautiful campus, I am constantly reminded of the gratitude I feel for the opportunity to pursue my education at USC and for the cherished memories I've created as a Trojan. I am deeply thankful to God, as well as my beloved family and friends who have supported me throughout my studies at USC. Fight On!