Alumni Careers
Be inspired by the diverse and impactful paths our graduates have taken, shaping the future of public policy and making a significant difference in communities around the globe.
"I wanted to make sure I was at a program that was well regarded, that was rigorous in their coursework, that would bring me the education that I was seeking and expose me to different faculty and professionals—so USC's MPA online really stood out."
Priscilla Hung
Co-Director
Move to End Violence, an initiative to end gender-based violence
"I’m particularly passionate about researching and addressing generational issues, such as climate change, digital evolution and sustainable development goals. Through the MPA program, I was able to put theory into practice and develop approaches to tackle some of these challenges."
Paola Najera
Global Communications
Visa
"My interaction with professors was outstanding. They were hard, they were tough, but they were caring. They were empathetic, and they wanted you to be successful. I would recommend an MPA to any prospective student that wants to be a public servant in any capacity."
Dr. Christopher Foster
Director of Emergency Services
"If you’re trying to challenge yourself and grow in your career, if you have a passion for public service, this is the best program. You’re connected to the elite Trojan alumni network, so it’s amazing."
Michi Slaughter
Senior Systems Analyst
LAPD
"I chose both schools because Price offers classes designed to prepare students for navigating the complex worlds of planning, policy, high-level design, and financial analysis. Marshall's robust finance curriculum assisted in providing a deeper exploration of the quantitative aspects of the industry."
Aidan Whitney
Commercial Banking Associate
River City Bank
"Marshall and Price provided a base of business knowledge while also developing my understanding of how institutional real estate investors approach real estate assets. The resources offered through student organizations, mentorship programs, and opportunities to connect with professors all accelerated my professional development."
Aram Apanian
Investment Analyst
QuadReal Property Group
"I got the best of both worlds as part of two different schools and communities. Marshall enhanced my practical skills in commercial real estate by utilizing industry-standard software and hands-on training, while Price helped me fully comprehend the land development process from A to Z."
Christina Chan
Analyst
Bellwether
"The classes at USC I took to earn my sustainability certificate solidified my understanding of CEQA and disaster planning. I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working with LA Commons for one of my classes. I feel confident that my time at USC has prepared me for my next career opportunity."
Kishann Rai
Researcher
DJP&A
"I valued the diversity in thought, background, and interests the program promoted within the student body and its social justice-oriented curriculum. This sense of inclusion created an environment where I felt successful in exploring various pathways and in taking my training further to pursue a Ph.D. in transportation."
John Cadiz
PhD Student @ ITS UC Davis | Sustainable Transportation Policy | Hydrogen Delivery Pathways
"USC Price provided me the interdisciplinary, hands-on framework I was looking for in an urban planning program. In addition to courses specific to my climate change and sustainability concentration, I was able to participate in diverse classes and research projects related to native landscapes, affordable housing, equitable environmental engagement, and active transportation. I also held internships in both the public and private sectors during my graduate experience. I am now a full-time energy and sustainability planner in Los Angeles—in no small part thanks to Price."
Morgan Rose
Urban Planner | Sustainability Project Manager
"The MPPDS program at Price is one of the few public policy/data science joint programs in the nation. The intersection of these two fields provided me with both quantitative research foundational skills and an understanding of real-world policy frameworks to apply them to. These areas of study are worthwhile in their own right, but being able to study them concurrently and understand the way research practice and implementation are linked significantly prepared me for entering my career after my graduate program ended. As a current data analyst at a policy research center, I cannot imagine any other degree program serving me as well as my time as Price did."
Cameron Yap
Data Analyst at Neighborhood Data for Social Change (NDSC)
USC
"I am on a mission to leverage knowledge from data in the design and analysis of policies. I aim to work towards sustainable development, specifically relevant to environmental pollution, sustainable cities and health policy. I have always been amazed at the power of data and the strength of effective policy on creating an impact on people’s lives. When I came across the MPPDS program offered at Price, I was instantly intrigued by the idea of the intersection. USC Price School has a great reputation for nurturing passionate public policy students who went ahead to create a meaningful impact. I consider choosing Price as one of the best decisions I have ever made."
Shalini Mustala
Research Associate
Public Policy Institute of California
"I chose USC Price for the Public Policy Data Science program, which falls at the intersection of my passions for data and public service. The program perfectly supplements my current job as a Research Programmer in the health policy field, and there have been many times when I took what I learned in class directly to the field. The skills I am learning in my courses are laying the groundwork for everything that I want to do in my career. USC Price also offers a multitude of seminars and labs that provide something for a wide variety of interests. Not only that, but the community of students, staff, and faculty at Price are incredibly supportive. I am grateful to be connected to a network of like-minded individuals with diverse passions, striving for a better world."
Patricia Ferido-Wilson
Senior Research Programmer
Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics
"When researching MPA programs, I desired a rigorous curriculum that would challenge me as a researcher, writer and public servant. The MPA program at Price exceeded my expectations, requiring me to rise to the occasion and raise my criteria of good-quality work. The program well prepared me for leadership, not only as a public employee, but also as a global citizen. Faculty advisors, my cohort coach and my peers were always helpful, informative, and inspiring and made my time in the program enjoyable, even through challenges."
Lindsay McElwain
Management Analyst
City of Rancho Cucamonga
"The MPA curriculum combines theory with real-life applications, providing students with the opportunity to leverage their studies and concurrently work with real clients to tackle complex challenges through collaboration and problem-solving. I know my Price degree has provided me with the foundations necessary to further my career in local government as a well-rounded public servant."
Melanie Franceschini
Management Analyst
City of Newport Beach
"At USC Price, I gained invaluable skills to advance the public good. The world-class professors shared their research insights and lessons from the field to help MPA students like me translate knowledge into action. I had an exceptional experience and recommend the USC Price MPA program wholeheartedly!"
Michael Schumer
Director of Development & Grants
Bay Ridge Center
"I came into this program with a passion for service and left with the confidence to better serve our communities, a deep understanding of the business of nonprofits and a continued commitment to pursue servant leadership. The incredible faculty, networking with brilliant leaders in the sector, opportunities to get involved in our community and inspiring cohort made this investment in my personal and career development 100% worth it."
Mark Camarena
Community Benefit Fiscal Manager
Loma Linda University Health
"The most valuable part of the MNLM program was the integration of lived experience into the classroom. Several of my professors held top managerial roles in the field outside of the program, and used anecdotes from their roles as examples to illustrate specific concepts in class."
Maddy Brown
Grant Specialist
Dotted i Fundraising
"I had an idea of what I wanted to do in the nonprofit sector, and by the time I graduated from the MNLM program, my idea had shifted completely. The required courses at USC Price, in addition to my electives at Marshall, helped me to realize gaps in my knowledge and presented me with alternative ways to pursue my mission."
Nannearl Lakesia
UX Researcher at Figma, Co-host of the PAGES Pod Podcast, San Francisco, CA
"USC's MHA Program gave me the knowledge, skills, and experience I needed to excel in my chosen field. I learnt from and built invaluable relationships with the faculty and my peers. Outside of thought-provoking classroom discussions, I also had the opportunity to learn from my hands-on residency experience with the Quality and Outcomes team at Keck Medicine of USC and a variety of case competitions that broadened my perspective, introducing me to key players in healthcare and innovative ways of tackling the complex issues plaguing U.S. healthcare today. I am confident that the program has instilled in me the foundational criteria to grow, exceed expectations and become a leader in the healthcare industry."
Ashima Seth
Senior Analyst
Advanced Analytics and Informatics at Vizient, Inc.
"The USC MHA program provided me with an incredibly strong foundation to confidently launch my career. The combination of world-class academics and professional application during my residency at USC Keck prepared me to tackle some of healthcare’s greatest challenges. I am excited for what lies ahead and grateful for the lifelong community of the Trojan Family!"
Justin Kawaguchi
Associate Consultant
Bain & Company
"The USC Price School’s Master of Health Administration Program provided a transformative experience where I learned from esteemed faculty and professionals shaping the industry. Mixed with immersive opportunities, including a 1000-hour residency at Optum’s Inpatient Department, I gained the confidence to excel in leadership roles, case competitions, and real-world problem-solving. I am eager to leverage this program’s foundation for a successful and impactful career in healthcare."
Cristina Tom
Manager of Inpatient Operations
Optum West
"The BRED Program does a great job teaching students practical quantitative and qualitative skills that I applied during my internships and in my current position. My favorite class was RED 437 Advanced Finance and Investment with Professor Chris Redfearn. We took a deep dive into skills needed in commercial real estate, from learning how to model a waterfall to creating a loan amortization table."
Ben Rich
Real Estate Private Equity
TPG Angelo Gordon, Los Angeles, CA
"The BRED program helped me gain exposure to the many facets of real estate through the diverse set of courses and allowed me to discover my specific interest in industrial development. The capstone project in RED 469 Mixed-Use Development Process taught by Professor Richard Green enhanced my critical thinking skills to solve complex problems which I now face every day in my career. The cohort structure of the BRED program created an environment which led to meaningful relationships with my classmates, a network I rely on every day. Most importantly, I graduated from USC with a profound sense of what I want to do in life and the confidence in my ability to achieve it."
Emily Mondonedo
Associate
Link Logistics, Newport Beach, CA
"The BRED Program prepares its students to become skilled investors by providing them with a robust technical knowledge base and a deep understanding of the urban context surrounding investments. Through the program, I gained invaluable knowledge and forged connections with like-minded peers who now accompany me in working in the industry. My favorite class in the program was RED 437 Advanced Finance and Investment with Professor Spencer Couts. The course incorporated a multitude of challenging case studies preparing students for a real-world investment committee environment. Another aspect that greatly enhanced my experience was my involvement with the Trojan Real Estate Association (TREA), a Price Student Organization endorsed by the BRED Program. This organization provided me with abundant opportunities to learn from industry professionals, meet with companies, and grow my technical expertise. Thanks to the BRED Program, I now possess the skills and experience necessary to pursue any path within the real estate industry, empowering me to reach my professional aspirations."
Janelle Cubillo
Analyst
Blackstone, NYC
"The Price School has provided me with a learning environment that promotes diversity and gives all students an equal voice. The professors of the Price School have created a space of equal and respectful discussion. Through the understanding of different perspectives other than our own, Price students are able to go on and contribute to the world, through the eyes of all people — both oppressed and privileged."
David Nugroho
Analyst
HR&A, New York
"The Price School has helped me grow and change in so many remarkable ways. I feel confident in my ability to be a public servant because of the instruction I received from Price faculty and the support I had from the staff and fellow students."
Phoebe Cook
Transportation Planner
Los Angeles Metro
"The BSUSP program has left me with the skills to approach planning and policy issues with a thoughtful, analytical and equity-driven lens. The courses at Price are uniquely valuable because they continuously encourage you to learn from peers of varying majors and perspectives. Price also did an excellent job of granting us the tools and perspectives to help improve community health and wellness both here and internationally. With numerous opportunities to study abroad, I was able to not only learn about the planning context of Los Angeles, but also international policy and administration in the European Union and the unique urban planning challenges of Tijuana, Mexico."
Ariella Amit
Assistant Regional Planner (Housing)
"My experience at Price was invaluable due to the rigorous and relevant coursework, the world-class professors, and the sense of community that exists throughout the school. Within Price and BSPP, I truly formed both professional and personal bonds with my peers and professors that will last a lifetime. Now, I am able to see direct parallels between my career and my Price coursework in philanthropy, nonprofits, and social innovation."
Kaitwan Jackson
Program Manager
LA Commons
"I have sharpened my skills in so many dimensions – analytic, decision-making, leadership and team-building. Having worked for over a decade in government, I especially appreciated the opportunities to interact with local government practitioners and urban development organizations. The skills I have gained empower me to more effectively contribute to Kazakhstani society."
Beisen Ussenov
Deputy Mayor for Housing and Utilities
Kazybek Bi District, Karaganda, Kazakhstan
"Attending this program has been an eye-opening journey that exceeded my expectations with its diverse group of professionals and comprehensive coverage of public policy disciplines. I enjoyed studying with fellows from government officials, nonprofit leaders, urban planners, and social entrepreneurs. The blend of backgrounds and perspectives created an exhilarating learning space that continuously pushed me to explore complex issues from myriad angles."
Agil Wibowo
Organization Performance Analyst
Ministry of Finance, The Republic of Indonesia
"The biggest strength of IPPAM is that it brings together a diverse and global cohort of people from different professions, so that you broaden your outlook while learning first-hand from the practices of other countries. The perspectives gained through interactive discussions cannot be replicated by reading books or viewing social media. As a civil servant who develops and implements policy, this was an invaluable experience."
Yeonhi Jeong
Civil Servant
Ministry of Health and Welfare, The Republic of Korea
"The MPP program at Price allowed me to build my professional network beyond the public service and transportation world I was familiar with in LA. I built up my confidence as an analyst and conquered my fears of quantitative analysis. I was able to passionately delve into my research area of interest, climate change resilience, and executed a variety of projects that demonstrated my mastery of the topic beyond the projects I led at work. Not only was I able to bring this new critical and analytical thinking lens to my work, but I was also able to leverage my research experience and gain a new opportunity as a lead consultant at my current employer, WSP."
Andrina Dominguez
Assistant Vice President
WSP USA
"The Price MPP opened up new professional opportunities that previously felt out of reach. Price’s curriculum helped me develop the skills needed to serve the U.S. Congress as an analyst for the Government Accountability Office."
Tim Smith
Analyst
U.S. Government Accountability Office, Los Angeles, CA
"I chose to pursue my B.S. in Public Policy because I felt it was a perfect combination of tangible skills and the theory underpinning policy. Each class encouraged me to lean into the complexity of society's most pressing challenges and develop creative, nuanced solutions. Now, newly graduated, I feel confident to begin a career in government thanks to the guidance and community I found at Price!"
Kendall Damon
MPhil Environmental Policy at Cambridge
Climate and Sustainability | Cities
"The school’s selfless vision, combined with a practical, problem-solving approach, is reflected both within the classroom setting and in the actions of students and teachers in the school. Case studies, policy writing and professional presentations in class have given me invaluable skills to concisely and powerfully communicate solutions to a variety of audiences. The unique combination of highly motivated and compassionate students, accessible professors and hands-on opportunities to practice skills can’t be found anywhere but at the Price School."
Rebecca Suh
J.D. Candidate, Harvard Law School
"My time at USC Price taught me to analyze policy issues with a community-driven lens. The BSPP curriculum merged theory and practice in a way that allowed me to problem solve creatively and intentionally. Moreover, the school’s mission to improve the quality of life collaboratively was reflected in all of its aspects: from my peers, my classes, my professors, and career advisors. I not only formed a community with my peers and professors in the classroom, but with neighboring cities and communities that we got to work with in case labs and projects. The social urban issues we examined were timely and in our backyard, and I felt extremely supported by the Price community to critically engage with them."
Rianna Rios
Fulbright García Robles Scholar
English Teaching Assistant, Mexico