The Best Events I Attended This Year on Campus (and Why You Can’t Miss Them)

By ANSLEY S.

Speaker Event with Issa Rae

Annenberg hosts a wide range of speaker events featuring professionals from different backgrounds and industries. Earlier this semester, Annenberg awarded actress and media mogul Issa Rae the Charlotta Bass Media Trailblazer Award. During the event, she shared insights on her journey from producing a web series to creating HBO’s Insecure. She spoke about the importance of community and how relying on the support of her friends gave her the confidence to pursue her vision. As someone interested in breaking into the entertainment industry, I found her conversation with Dr. Allissa V. Richardson especially meaningful. It felt like a reminder that success is not always linear, and that storytelling rooted in authenticity can truly resonate.

Lunch with a Leader: Courtney Couch

Annenberg also hosts a “Lunch with a Leader” series where professionals from various industries connect with students in a more intimate setting. Last fall, music industry executive Courtney Couch spoke with us about her career path and the realities of working in the industry. What stood out most was how honest and accessible the conversation felt. Being able to ask questions in a smaller group setting made the experience feel more personal and gave me a clearer understanding of what it takes to navigate the music business.

Welcome Week Events

If you are a first-year or transfer student, I highly recommend attending as many Welcome Week events as possible. Putting myself out there during those first few days helped me build friendships that have lasted throughout the year. USC offers an incredible range of activities, from the Welcome Back Concert hosted by the Concert Committee, to carnival nights, to evenings filled with local food trucks and vendors. These events gave me the chance to meet people across different majors and backgrounds, many of whom I would not have met otherwise. They set the tone for what USC is all about: community, energy, and openness.

PRSSA Panels

Joining clubs that genuinely interest you can open doors you might not expect. USC’s strong Trojan Network allows student organizations to bring in industry professionals and alumni who are eager to give back. Recently, I attended a marketing panel focused on reality television hosted by USC’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America. The panelists, Chloe Walker and Emily Phan, are both recent Trojan graduates, who shared practical advice on navigating the early stages of a career while also creating a welcoming space for student questions. It was both informative and encouraging, and it reminded me how accessible mentorship can be at Annenberg.

Family Weekend Football Game

USC football games are always exciting, but experiencing one during Family Weekend made it even more special. From school-hosted events and panels to tailgates on game day, the entire weekend felt like a celebration of community. Being able to share USC traditions with my mom made the experience more meaningful and reinforced what people mean when they talk about the Trojan Family. It is not just something you hear about, it is something you truly feel.