Going Back to College Day - USC Alumni Association

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our inaugural Going Back to College Day, a one-day lifelong learning and networking experience created exclusively for the Trojan Family.

Throughout the day, attendees heard from USC faculty and alumni who are at the cutting edge of their industries, explored new ideas in engaging sessions and reconnected with fellow Trojans committed to lifelong learning. Alumni left with fresh insights, practical takeaways and expanded networks — plus a memorable surprise appearance from legendary coach Pete Carroll!

Going Back to College Day showcased the power of the Trojan network and the spirit of learning that continues long after graduation. Stay tuned for photos from an amazing day, Fight On!

Schedule

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9 – 9:40 a.m.

Founders Park

Morning Main Stage

9:50 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tutor Campus Center Ballroom

9:50 – 10 a.m. | Conference Welcome

Erika Jordan ML ’18

Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations

Paola Fernandez ’14, MPP ’19

Rachel Morford ’07, MS ’07

10 – 11 a.m. | Lightning Talks

Kamy Akhavan

Managing Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future

Geoffrey Garrett

Dean, USC Marshall School of Business

11:00 – 11:05 a.m. | Presenting Sponsor Spotlight: Bank of America

Garrett Gin

Market Executive, Greater Los Angeles – Bank of America

11:10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Leadership in the Evolving Music Industry

Jason King

Dean, USC Thornton School of Music

Keaton Smith ’16

General Manager, Top Dawg Entertainment

11:55 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Closeout Remarks

Close out the morning session before heading to lunch!

Lunch

12 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Founders Park

Breakout Classes

1:55 – 2:55 p.m.

Various Locations

Living Life with Impact; Embracing the Flow

Location
TCC 302 (Tutor Campus Center Room 302 – Third Floor)
3607 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Description
A career with impact and purpose is one where your daily work clearly improves something beyond yourself and aligns with values you deeply care about, making success feel measured not just by status or income but by meaningful contribution. When you can see who benefits from your efforts and why it matters, motivation becomes intrinsic rather than external. This alignment naturally fosters flow — the state of deep focus and immersion that occurs when your skills are well matched to meaningful challenges — because you are fully engaged, stretched to grow, and absorbed in work that feels significant. Over time, purpose fuels engagement, engagement enables flow, and flow builds mastery, creating a reinforcing cycle of fulfillment and real-world impact.

Jennifer Walske

Greif Center Research Fellow Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship Academic Director, MSSE

Media, Markets, and the Business of Sports

Location
USC Tutor Campus Center Grand Ballroom (Basement Floor)
3607 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Description
How sports are covered, shared, and consumed has never mattered more. This panel features media leaders discussing how storytelling, platforms, and audience attention shape the business of sports. Drawing from real-world experience, panelists will offer insights into how media drives value, influence, and growth across the sports landscape.

Miki Turner

Erin Coscarelli ’06

Veteran Sportscaster and On-Host

Charlene Riofrio ’06, MS ’20

Sketches to Scans: A Story of Discovery through Brain Imaging

Location
TCC 350/351/352 (Tutor Campus Center Franklin Suites – Third Floor)
3607 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Description
For thousands of years, humanity’s understanding of the brain was shaped more by philosophy and imagination than by observation. How we visualize the brain (neuroimaging) has played a key role in shaping what we know about how the brain works and what goes wrong in neurological disease. Each leap forward came not just from new technology, but from someone willing to look more closely than anyone had before to draw new insight that went beyond the image. This talk traces that visual journey from Renaissance sketches to modern brain scans, exploring how the tools we use to see the brain have shaped how we understand it, and how new tools like AI are taking us further than ever before.

Michael Bienkowski

Assistant Professor of Physiology and Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering

USC Career Center Headshots, Demo of Alumni Career Resources, Career Center Volunteer and Recruiting Opportunities

Location
USC Career Center (Student Union Building)
3601 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Description
Enhance your career toolkit with a professional headshot and tailored résumé review provided by the USC Career Center.

Investment Intelligence: How Gen-AI Helps Navigate Investment Planning

Location
TCC 450 (Tutor Campus Center Forum – Fourth Floor)
3607 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Joseph Ethan Castaneda

Senior Vice President, Investment Portfolio Manager – Bank of America Private Bank

Nancy Wamai

Senior Vice President, Senior Portfolio Manager – Bank of America Private Bank

Work, Life, and the World in the Age of AI

Location
TCC 227 (Tutor Campus Center Rosen Family Screening Room – Second Floor)
3607 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Description
This session explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we work, live, and connect. From automation and new career opportunities to ethical challenges and societal shifts, this talk examines what AI means for individuals, businesses, and society.

Joyce Shen

Adjunct Associate Professor, Bovard College

Afternoon Main Stage

3:05 – 4:00 p.m.

Tutor Campus Center Ballroom

3:05 – 3:55 p.m. | Afternoon Main Stage Panel: The Game of Life

Description: The Game Is Life brings alumni of all generations back to the classroom to reflect on the lessons that shape how we lead, decide, and show up at work and in life. Join Dean Soni and Professor Belasco for an engaging session that connects timeless insights to the real-world challenges and opportunities we all continue to navigate.

Varun Soni

Dean of Religious Life

David Belasco

Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship

3:55 – 4 p.m. | Closing Remarks

Close out the sessions with a performance by the Spirit of Troy!

Optional Campus Tour

4:10 – 5 p.m.

Meet in front of Tommy Trojan!

Trojan Family Reception with President Kim

5 p.m.

Founders Park

Please Note: Registration for Going Back to College Day includes admission to the Trojan Family Reception. If you are registered only for the Trojan Family Reception, you must purchase a separate ticket to attend Going Back to College Day events.

Thank You to Our Premier Partners!

Contact Us

For general questions, email dominique.mendoza@usc.edu or call 213-740-2300.