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The Power of the Trojan Family: Building a Network of Change

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Photo of USC students smiling and holding up "fight on" symbols

At the USC Price School of Public Policy, we’re not just educating future leaders, we’re cultivating a powerful network: the Trojan Family. This community extends far beyond our Los Angeles campus, and is made up of current students, alumni, and professionals who share a passion for driving positive change in public policy, public administration, health care, urban planning, and real estate development.

What is the Trojan Family?

The Trojan Family is more than just a network; it’s a tight-knit community bound by shared experiences, values, and a deep pride in our desire to leave the world a better place than we found it. For USC Price MPA online students and alumni, it represents a commitment to excellence in public service. 

Our community is known for its strong support network. Alumni, faculty, and staff often go above and beyond to help fellow Trojans with career development, research opportunities, mentorship and guidance. Whether collaborating on groundbreaking research, supporting each other in professional endeavors, or coming together with innovative and creative ideas to tackle society’s most pressing challenges, the Trojan Family stands united in its pursuit of excellence and its dedication to making a positive impact on the world.

The power of the USC Trojan Network

The Trojan Network is USC’s expansive professional networking and mentorship community.  USC alumni connections bridge our community with Trojans in roles and industries across the globe, facilitating career-related conversations, thoughtful dialogue, mentorship opportunities, and job connections in both the public and private sectors.

Headshot of Christopher Foster

Dr. Christopher Foster, Director of Emergency Services and proud USC Price alum, recalls the exceptional quality of interactions with his fellow students, “We had these extremely interactive conversations. It was all about opening our minds to different things.” 

Foster’s advice to prospective students highlights the enduring impact of the network: “Choose USC, you’ll never regret it. It is a network that you will not forget. And they won’t let you, even if you try.”

Headshot of Katherine Cooley

Katherine Cooley, 2018 MPA online graduate and senior consultant at Deloitte, notes that the Trojan Network extends beyond graduation, “You can really have long-term relationships with your fellow students and folks that have graduated from the program. When I first started with Deloitte I was – at least as far as I knew – on my own. Now, we have a group of about four of us in California who are working for Deloitte! You’re gonna forge those relationships through the program. You’ll be able to grow together in your careers and go places together in your careers, and that part has been really exciting and fulfilling for me.”

School spirit and more: USC traditions for online students

For USC Price MPA online students, the spirit of the Trojan Family further comes alive through two immersive, in-person residencies. The three-day Professional Residency, held each Fall on USC’s Los Angeles campus, kicks off the MPA online program with intensive educational seminars led by expert faculty. Beyond academics, students experience campus life, attend a Trojan football game, tour the historic grounds, and stock up on USC gear at the bookstore.

The Capstone Residency, coinciding with commencement week, marks the culmination of the USC Price MPA online journey. Students apply their knowledge to real-world client problems, presenting their recommendations before expert judges in a competitive setting. Many clients end up implementing the solutions that our students propose. 

This final residency not only allows students to showcase their skills but also provides a last opportunity to solidify relationships with peers and alumni, further strengthening the USC Trojan Network that will support them throughout their careers.

Fight on USC: success stories from the Trojan Family

Headshot of Erica Robles

Erica Robles, is a double Trojan who completed her MPA online in 2018. She now supports the United States Space Force in special programs, applying the skills she gained from her capstone project to her work, “I enjoyed seeing all of the skills I learned from Price, using the skills I learned from capstone, and being able to walk confidently into a room, sit down in a meeting, and talk about policy.”

Headshot of Keaton Dickinson

Keaton Dickinson, was the 2024 valedictorian of the Price School. Motivated by a high school lockdown experience, Dickinson used her education to advocate for gun control legislation and later focused on tackling the housing crisis in Los Angeles. She credits the Price School for providing her with “the resources and the opportunities to make some tangible change in the housing crisis.”

Headshot of Liz Oh

Liz Oh, a 2021 MPA online graduate, was working in the nonprofit sector when she enrolled. Oh found the skills she learned in the program to be immediately applicable to her professional life, “Learning about the aspects of organizational leadership helped me understand steps that you can take to grow in your role. That was something that I remember was really immediately applicable to my professional life. Even before I had graduated from the program, I had an opportunity to pursue a couple different transitions within my job.”

USC Fight Song: more than just music

And finally, no discussion of the Trojan Family would be complete without mentioning our iconic fight song, “Fight On!” Celebrating its centennial in 2022, this beloved anthem has become more than just music – it’s a motto that embodies the fighting spirit of USC students and alumni.

Composed in 1922 by dental student Milo Sweet, with lyrics co-written by Glen Grant, “Fight On!” has transcended its origins to become a rallying melody for Trojans everywhere. Its unique 6/8 time signature gives it a distinctive and catchy tune, and even inspired U.S. troops during World War II. “Fight On!” remains an integral part of the USC Price School experience, reminding us of our shared commitment to perseverance and excellence. See the Fight On! song lyrics here.

Headshot of Nicolas Rodriguez

The power of “Fight On!” and the Trojan Family extends far beyond the campus. Nicolas Rodriguez, a 2024 USC MPA online graduate shares, “[It’s] just how strong the alumni network is at USC. I’ve got my USC sweater, and even up here in Washington I’ll be wearing it, and I’ll have random people tell me, ‘Hey USC!’ or ‘Fight On!’ The Trojan Network is definitely real”.

Joining the Trojan Family

As we celebrate our shared spirit and look to the future, we invite you to explore this vibrant community. Remember, the Trojan Family at USC Price is more than just a network – it’s a launchpad for making a real difference in the world of public service. Fight On!

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