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

I’m from Kunshan, China, a city recognized as the birthplace of Kunqu Opera, one of the earliest forms of Chinese theater. Growing up in a place shaped by performance, history, and cultural continuity influenced how I came to understand storytelling as something that carries both beauty and consequence. Before enrolling at USC Annenberg, I completed my undergraduate studies in Communication Studies at Loyola Marymount University. During this time, I gained experience across different industries, including VC and healthcare investment banking, where I observed how capital, risk, and narrative shape decision-making at a systemic level. It was after these experiences that I moved into cross-cultural media and art projects, supporting international artists and public figures as they entered the Chinese market, including collaborations with members of the Buffett family and global cultural figures such as DJ Khaled. This progression from finance to culture sharpened my ability to translate between systems, audiences, and values, and ultimately shaped my interest in communication as both a strategic discipline and a human responsibility. 

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

My decision to pursue graduate study at USC Annenberg was intentional and something I had thought about for a long time. I wasn’t looking for a program by name, but for a place that takes communication seriously, not just as a skill, but as a form of judgment and responsibility. When I look back, I honestly can’t remember when I first became aware of Professor Freddy Nager. It feels like he was always part of how I understood Annenberg. As I learned more about the program, certain ways of thinking just felt familiar rather than new. His emphasis on clarity, intellectual courage, and discernment matched what I was looking to develop. Coming into the program didn’t change that instinct, it confirmed it, and reinforced that choosing Annenberg was a decision made with intention rather than reputation alone. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program? 

What I value most about the DSM program is the depth of exposure it offers. Through faculty resources and guest speakers, I’ve been able to engage directly with influential figures across media, culture, and creative industries, including attending a press conference with director Jiang Wen, whose work has profoundly shaped my understanding of storytelling and cultural voice. Beyond access, the program treats students as thinkers and practitioners in formation. Professors invest in our growth with intention and without reservation, offering both intellectual challenge and personal guidance. This environment of high standards, trust, and genuine support has made the DSM program not only academically rigorous, but deeply transformative for me.