Freshman Academy

All first-year students in Viterbi are invited to enroll in Freshman Academy (ENGR 102), a class that allows new Viterbi students to learn about the field of engineering, understand how engineers think and approach problem-solving, and examine the ethical, societal, and political impact of engineering. The class also brings together students from all engineering majors, giving students the opportunity to meet other first-year students and build their Viterbi community. Each Academy section is led by an experienced faculty member and two upper-division engineering students called Freshman Academy Coaches who serve as mentors and resources for questions about student life in Viterbi.

Freshman Academy Faculty

Freshman Academy is taught by experienced faculty from a variety of departments across Viterbi, giving students the opportunity to get to know an engineering professor in a small-class setting.

All-Academy Lectures

Students in Freshman Academy are provided with the opportunity to hear from professionals, innovators, researchers, and USC alumni in the engineering field through the All-Academy Lecture Series.

Fall 2023 Coaches

Freshman Academy Coaches are current Viterbi sophomores, juniors, and seniors in different engineering majors. Coaches can answer any questions you have about the course, Viterbi, USC, and any issues or challenges that you might face during your first year.

Abdelaziz Abdelrhman

Year: Junior
Majors: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Hometown: New York City

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
USC's Muslim Student Union (MSU), USC's Step-Up Tutoring Program, USC's Peer Mentor program, SC Solar, and plans to join USC's Makers Club

Hobbies/interests:
Reading science fiction, mythology, or fantasy books, playing sports competitively for fun, and going on hikes. A fun fact about me is that I have a twin!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Going to a football for the first time
Getting off campus to see the surrounding area for the first time

Advice for freshmen:

Once a semester, get lost on campus. Try really hard to get lost and find new places. You will always find something new.
Talk to your professors, go to office hours, send them emails. They actually love to get to know you and offer amazing advice and opportunities.
Your smallest interests can open the biggest doors. Don’t do something because it looks good on paper. Genuine interest and curiosity will drive you much further.

Anisha Rao

Year: Senior/PDP Master's
Major: B.S. Astronautical Engineering, M.S. Product Development Engineering
Hometown: Sacramento, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Dance @ USC, Unruh Associates, Society of Women Engineers

Hobbies/interests:
Cooking, dancing, martial arts, and traveling!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Football game days with friends
Late night boba runs to Pot of Cha
SpaceX tour with my ASTE 101 class
Learning to skateboard

Advice for freshmen:

Everyone wants to make friends, so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, especially within the first couple weeks of school!
Take your first year to explore clubs (engineering and non-engineering) you’re interested in. It’s never too late to try something new!
Go to career events, office hours, club meetings, etc. Get to know as many professors, classmates (in and out of your major), and industry professionals as you can. This network of people will be invaluable to you later on.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. It’s okay to mess up!
Get off campus and explore LA! Go outside! There’s so much to experience beyond USC.

Alara Berkmen

Year: Sophomore
Major: Biomedical Engineering (Molecular-Cellular)
Hometown: Kihei, Maui, Hawai'i

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Society of Women Engineers, Associate Students of Biomedical Engineering, ShiftSC, Researcher at the MAD Lab

Hobbies/interests:
Kitesurfing, playing piano, reading, painting. Fun fact: I have been hit by a whale

Favorite memories from freshman year:

The UCLA x USC Conquest game
Going abroad to Greece to plant trees
Going to my first concert with the Driver Era

Advice for freshmen:

Talk to people at your clubs and classes, everyone is trying to meet their new friends, so don't feel scared to reach out.
It's ok to be overwhelmed, everything is coming at you all at once and it will feel like a lot, that is why we are here to help!
Be adaptive! Sticking to a consistent plan is a great idea but realistically life will throw you some curve balls. Just remember to stay curious, and when you roll with it, you can find yourself in some pretty cool places.

Ava Landen

Year: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering with a Dance Minor
Hometown: Swampscott, MA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Chamber Ballet Company, Viterbi Funding Board, SWE

Hobbies/interests:
Hiking, surfing, ballet, skiing. Fun fact: I have double jointed shoulders!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Meeting some of my best friends (especially within Viterbi!)
Exploring LA and going on hikes
Living in a dorm and being surrounded by students at all times

Advice for freshmen:

Create a “board of directors” including professors, classmates, friends, etc.!
Make sure you are taking advantage of the incredible people and resources that surround you.
Don’t forget to set aside time for fun activities.
Sign up for any club or organization that sounds appealing. You never know what you may end up loving. Keep your eyes peeled and your mind open to new experiences and opportunities.

Cynthia Ionova

Year: Senior/PDP Master's
Major: Chemical Engineering
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
American Institute for Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Engineers Without Borders (EWB), Women in Engineering mentorship program, Resident Assistant

Hobbies/interests:
Reading, baking, playing Pokemon, food!!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Attending football games with friends and roommates
USC Welcome Week concert ft. Saweetie
Dining hall crepes and ice cream
Waking up at 2 AM to a blaring fire alarm and going to Starbucks instead of back to bed. It was fun 🙂

Advice for freshmen:

Make a calendar with all of your assignments for the semester! It makes it so much easier to keep track of your homework and get a head start on larger projects or essays.
Start building your network – it doesn’t have to be super time-intensive or stressful. Just join some professional clubs related to your major or other interests. The Trojan Family is very much real, so try to be a part of it.
Don’t worry about finding your ideal friend group freshman year. You have so much time in college to meet amazing people, the kind that you fit in perfectly with.

Eliana Amanuel

Year: Sophomore
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hometown: Los Angeles

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
National Society of Black Engineers, Engineers Without Borders, East African Student Association

Hobbies/interests:
I LOVE FOOD!! Also love hiking, working out, and getting to know new people.

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Late night spudnuts runs
Staying up late in lounges getting no work done
Exploring LA with new people

Advice for freshmen:

Don’t overwhelm yourself trying to do everything. There will be so much time to try out all of your interests.
Keep an open mind and make sure you enjoy your first year!
Learn from upperclassmen experience so you don’t repeat mistakes and create close relationships with professors.

Garima Kewlani

Year: Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Hometown: Dubai, UAE

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Helenes

Hobbies/interests:
Cooking, traveling, photography, diving!!! I am obsessed with my dogs: Scotch and Kiki

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Football gamedays
Exploring LA and going on hikes
Halloween weekend
Meeting so many new people and finding my friends <3

Advice for freshmen:

Embrace New Experiences! Say yes to new opportunities, whether they're academic, social, or personal.
Balancing classes, assignments, and social life can be challenging. Develop good time management habits to stay on top of your responsibilities.
Take Care of Your Health and try not to get sick. Eat well, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
Don't hesitate to ask for help when you're struggling academically, emotionally, or in any aspect of college life. There are resources available to support you.
Stay True to Yourself. Authenticity attracts genuine connections and opportunities.

Giovanni Suarez

Year: Junior
Major: B.S. Astronautical Engineering & B.S. Physics with a Theatre Minor
Hometown: Henderson, NV

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
USC Kazan Taiko, USC Nikkei, USC TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), usC ITA (International Teaching Assistant)

Hobbies/interests:
Stargazing, playing my guitars, watching 80s movies, eating delicious food (steak especially), listening to city pop, making cosplays, and traveling. I have a knack for breaking complex concepts into digestible information. I am well-rounded and can adapt easily to any situation by applying previous experiences. I can eat a lot of beef.

Having the most fun in everything I do and breaking free from the molds society forces us into. Space exploration and working towards intergalactic travel Promoting STEM education and outreach, especially for underrepresented communities. Eating meat with rice Quantum mechanics and its implications for the future of technology/quantum computing and its potential to get us closer to uniting classical physics with theoretical. The potential of time travel and the multiverse.

Fun Facts: I delved deep into the intricacies of the universe for my AP Research paper, focusing on the fascinating topic of String Theory. I’ve never broken a bone; I have only split my eyelid, ruptured my extensor tendon on my left ring finger, and split open my scalp. I spent the past summer in Japan while studying abroad I've performed at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Sydney Opera House in Australia. I'm probably 50% bos taurus at this point

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Having more freedom and strengthening my independence
Having access to all the K-town BBQ spots
Watching my favorite anime movie while eating a tub of ice cream alone in the dark at 3 am
Being able to attend more special events that took place in LA
Finally being able to take courses specific to what I'm most interested in

Advice for freshmen:

You've already succeeded in 12 other years of school, and you are smart enough to be here right now. You are more than capable of pushing through. If you feel like you just can't grasp a certain concept, remember, "everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” -Einstein
Stay curious, always ask questions, and seek answers. Don't feel bound to only one thing. Explore the wide set of opportunities being offered even if you feel it's "something a _[insert major]_ usually wouldn’t do." Do things that make you happy. Explore everything you're curious about as long as it won't compromise your safety or health.
Always feel free to seek support; whether it's from professors, peers, or academic advisors, there's always someone willing to help. Don't hesitate to reach out. You are never alone.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your years here. Meet new people, make friends, create new memories, have random adventures, and enjoy the journey to pursuing your dreams.

Ipek Goktan

Year: Senior/PDP Master's
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Istanbul, Turkey

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Code The Change, AthenaHacks, USC Interaction Lab

Hobbies/interests:
Baking, painting, listening to music, hanging out with friends. I love exploring new restaurants and cafes in LA so feel free to ask me for recs 🙂

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Taking the metro to Santa Monica and having beach days

Advice for freshmen:

The best part of college is the friends you make along the way! So feel free to reach out to others or join clubs/study groups to meet new people.
Also remember to explore LA as much as you can and have fun 🙂

Janet Choi

Year: PDP Master's
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering (BS) & Engineering Management (MS)
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Research with HFE Research Group, Abbott Campus Ambassador, Course Producer for ISE 470, SC Outfitters

Hobbies/interests:
I enjoy hiking and pilates, but I do not go as often as I would like. I learned how to do my own nails during the pandemic. I like to binge watch shows and listen to podcasts while I do my nails.

Favorite memories from freshman year:

I am from Los Angeles, so I really enjoyed taking my friends so my favorite restaurants. It was also a great opportunity to get to know them better.

Advice for freshmen:

Join clubs! You meet so many new people through clubs and it’s a great way to make friends. I wish I joined more clubs freshman year.

Justin Lenderman

Year: Junior
Major: Computer Science and Business Administration with a Mathematical Finance Minor
Hometown: Houston, TX

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Club Tennis, CCG

Hobbies/interests:
Hobbies of mine include playing tennis, golf, and poker. Fun Fact: I interned in Richland Washington over the summer which is close to the Hanford site where there is more than 50 million gallons of hazardous waste. This was one place the United States made nuclear weapons during WW2 and the Cold War.

Favorite memories from freshman year:

One of my favorite memories from freshman year is going to a The Kid Laroi concert at the Shrine.

Advice for freshmen:

One piece of advice that I would give to incoming freshman is not to be afraid to try something new whether that be joining some clubs or just picking up some new hobbies. College is the time and place to do that.

Kasia Felkel

Year: Junior
Major: Computer Science/Business Administration
Hometown: Oak Lawn, IL

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Snowboarding Club and Viterbi Impact Program

Hobbies/interests:
I love to dance even though I don't know how to. I also love house music, but I actually listen to everything. My dream job is being a talk show host.

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Having random selection for my roommate and making a friend who became my roommate the next year.
Taking the train to the beach with my new friends.
Going up to the board in math class to answer a hard question and killing it.

Advice for freshmen:

Take life day by day - you can only complete tasks one step at a time so don't overbear yourself thinking of how much you have to do.

Keemia Beizai

Year: PDP Master's
Major: B.S. Industrial & Systems Engineering, M.S. Product Development Engineering
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
3D4E, Women in Engineering, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Viterbi Career Ambassador, TA for ISE315: Engineering Project Management and ISE375: Facilities Design

Hobbies/interests:
Crafting, thrifting & going to flea markets, cooking & baking, going to the beach

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Being in the audience for a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Going to a movie premiere at the TCL Chinese Theatre in the same night
Going to concerts on campus and in LA Taking the Metro to Santa Monica
Going on field trips to the Getty Villa, The Broad, and the Health Sciences Campus

Advice for freshmen:

Be open to new experiences! Explore clubs or jobs outside of engineering that you might be interested in. If you think you might be interested in a club or an organization, go to the first meeting and give it a chance.
Go to office hours! Your professors and TA’s will always be willing to answer your questions and you can create a personal connection that will help you throughout the semester.
If you’re taking chemistry, biology, physics, calculus, or any other class that has SI leaders, try to fit a weekly SI session into your schedule. Even if you feel confident in a class, they have great practice questions and study materials that can help you do your best.
Don’t overcommit yourself! Make sure you still have time to focus on your mental health and social life.

Kellie Cao

Year: Senior
Major: Biomedical Engineering with a Health Innovation Minor
Hometown: Irvine, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Camp Kesem, Student Athletics Academic Services Tutor, Troy Camp, Research at Children's Hospital LA

Hobbies/interests:
Reading, cooking/baking, exploring national parks/forests, pottery, snowboarding

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Game and move nights in McCarthy lounges
All nighters writing papers with Thematic Option friends
Catalina Island trip with FSH/TO

Advice for freshmen:

Join whatever clubs interest you! They don't have to be professional or major related, it's the best way to meet really cool people that you may not meet in your classes, etc
USC has really great professors and advisors that want to help you, so don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help or advice
It can be easy to get wrapped up in academics, but try to enjoy your freshman year! Explore the city, try new restaurants, and push yourself outside your comfort zone.
It's completely normal to feel overwhelmed and stressed, so try to remember to spend quality time taking care of yourself; your physical and mental health is so important!

Liam Hall

Year: Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Montclair, New Jersey

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Summer Research position under Dr. Ragusa, freshmen year job at the mech-ops lab, student symphony orchestra

Hobbies/interests:
I like to play basketball, ski, play my trumpet, make music, videogames, and read.

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Playing in the concert for my student symphony orchestra.
Taking a day trip to Malibu with some of my friends. Although it was simple, I had never been and we ended up having really good lobster rolls sandwiches on the way back.
My car project and bridge project for mechanical engineering. One involved a massive failure in which we had to redo it at the last minute and another involved us rewriting the rules for the bridge project.

Advice for freshmen:

Try to take advantage of all of the opportunities that you have and dip your toes into everything. You don't have to commit to anything so take advantage of it, this is truly your year to explore.
Pay attention to little things such as checking your email or waiting after class to talk to a professor about something they mentioned in class. I got a summer job simply by connecting with a professor and it has been some of the most fun and rewarding research I have done (partly because I work with kids).
Definitely go to the club fair!!!

Matthew Layne

Year: Sophomore
Major: Biomedical Engineering with a Spanish Minor
Hometown: Chandler, AZ

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
CURVE (research in Treweek Laboratory), MEDesign, Science Outreach

Hobbies/interests:
Horseback riding, Karate, I worked as a wrangler at a guest ranch in Colorado over the summer

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Hanging out
Doing work with friends
Presenting research at a variety of symposiums

Advice for freshmen:

Get involved in as many activities as possible!

Melanie Toh

Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Hong Kong

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
AthenaHacks Marketing team, ITP104 TA, Scope member, CASA member

Hobbies/interests:
I love going to flea markets/ thrifting on the weekends, painting, and reading manga!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Met some of my best friends at USC through Scope's lunch buddy program
Not having to retake CSCI170
Attending my first ever hackathon!

Advice for freshmen:

Go to office hours regularly! I recommend finding a CP/TA that you learn best from, then adding their OH into your weekly schedule.
Don’t spread yourself too thin by joining too many clubs/organizations. It’s better to be fully committed to 1-2 clubs and work your way to a leadership position than to be a somewhat absent general member for more
Reach out to your professors! Don’t be afraid to send them a message when you need help or are interested in a research project they’re leading - Most importantly, have fun and take care of yourself! There are so many fun things to do around USC/LA so make sure you explore and take breaks from studying <3

Naomi Ramos Benitez

Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
ColorStack, SHPE, QuestBridge, NSBE, WIE

Hobbies/interests:
I collect plushies!! I also love to draw silly little comic book characters. Interests: Tyler, The Creator, Kpop (NewJeans is my favorite right now, but I saw TWICE in Seattle this summer!), books (right now I am reading Happy Place by Emily Henry), films (Ryan Gosling is my favorite actor), and shows (I love Community). Fun facts: I was named after Naomi Campbell, I am ambidextrous (I do everything with my left hand but the only thing I can't do with my left hand is write. I can only write with my right hand but I cannot do anything else) !!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

My freshman year was online, but I enjoyed staying in my hometown and being there one last time before I left!

Advice for freshmen:

It is normal to feel homesick! Trust me, I have been homesick so many times. If you are homesick, try to do things that remind you of home, or go out and explore LA and see what the city has to offer!

Natalie Humber

Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Vancouver, WA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
USC Center for Artificial Intelligence in Society (CAIS++), USC Scope, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Research

Hobbies/interests:
Thrifting, reading, crocheting, board games

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Having the SPICIEST taco of my life at Guisados.
Meeting friends in unconventional situations.
Late night UNO game nights.
Visiting local restaurants (Thai by Trio >>>)

Advice for freshmen:

Utilize your support system!
Keep a growth mindset - if you didn't do as well as you liked on a midterm or interview, identify what went wrong, and set a plan to bring your goals to fruition.
Go to as many dance, theater, and student-run shows that you can! All of your peers are INCREDIBLY talented and it is a fun way to get out of your comfort zone + support other students.
Try to get out of the Fryft Zone every once in a while - we live in Los Angeles after all!
Remember that college will be full of highs and lows, enjoy the highs and remember the lows will pass! Always ask for help if you need 🙂

Nate Boxer

Year: Sophomore
Major: Computer Engineering & Computer Science
Hometown: Palo Alto, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
SC Outfitters, USCRPL, Hillel

Hobbies/interests:
I love the outdoors and music. This summer I worked at a summer camp in Yosemite called Camp Tawonga. I also love playing guitar and used to play the clarinet

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Creating a great group of friends and going on trips with SC Outfitters

Advice for freshmen:

Don't take things too seriously--relax, you have time to figure stuff out.
Focus on finding people you like to spend time with and don't give energy to those who don't return it.

Olivia Kukar

Year: Junior
Major: Chemical Engineering
Hometown: San Jose, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
ASPEN,AICHE, chem-e-car, WIE

Hobbies/interests:
Backpacking, reading, gardening

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Freshman academy!

Advice for freshmen:

Relax and have fun! You did it now enjoy it! But still stay organized

Raven Colbert

Year: Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Charleston, SC

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
NSBE, BSA, Marshall Graduate Student Registration @ USC Tower DTLA

Hobbies/interests:
Playing the clarinet, trying out new restaurants, watching anime, cooking/baking, roller skating, traveling

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Any and All USC events (Springfest with Dominic Fike takes the cake)
Hopping on the train and exploring LA
Volunteering with the Francisco Homes

Advice for freshmen:

Take advantage of USC's resources (Math Center, Writing Center, USC Student Health Groups/Workshops)
Choose your friends WISELY
Study hard, but try not to stress yourself too hard (professors usually have your back, and the curve helps immensely)
Join clubs that you find interesting (some of your best friends and study groups will come from these)

Renee Pan

Year: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science
Hometown: Aurora, CO

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Academy coach, Engineers Without Borders, and Project Sunshine

Hobbies/interests:
Hiking, exploring new cities, watching movies, trying new things, and baking

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Having dance parties in my room with my friends
Seeing the fireworks at the Coliseum for the first time
Declan McKenna concert
Late night walks around campus
Getting locked in my dorm room with my closest friends

Advice for freshmen:

Be open to new opportunities! Saying yes to things will lead you on so many cool adventures.
There's more to college than academics so take time to do well in school, but also have fun, make memories with your friends, and go explore.
Finding people you connect with at college happens differently for everyone. Don't stress too much about finding a set amount of people you connect with. It takes time and just be open to meeting new people from all walks of life.

Salvador Montoya

Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science/Business Administration, minor in Psychology
Hometown: Wilmington, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Association for Computing Machinery, Latino Business Student Association, JPL volunteer, Center for Neuronal Longevity Summer Research, Global Engineering Design Studio

Hobbies/interests:
Movies, TV, BJJ/Judo, painting

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Tour of Keck with Freshman Academy class
First concert on the quad
Conquest and UCLA game

Advice for freshmen:

Make an effort to reach out to people in your classes and utilize office hours.
If anything interests you, check it out. Don't be nervous or second guessing, you could end up discovering something really cool.
Try not to linger on any negative thing. The first time you get a bad grade on a test isn’t the end of the world. Learn how to deal with bad news and go on about your day.

Trisha Khandelwal

Year: Senior/PDP Master's
Major: B.S. Aerospace Engineering, with a Business minor, M.S. Astronautical Engineering
Hometown: Moorpark, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Society of Women Engineers, Residential Advisor, Rocket Propulsion Laboratory

Hobbies/interests:
I love to read, cook and bake, and go to the beach!

Favorite memories from freshman year:

First game day
Weekly movie nights in our dorms
Meeting some of my best friends!

Advice for freshmen:

Enjoy your first year here and look for new experiences! Join new clubs and organizations that highlight your interests!
Don't be afraid to reach out to new people! Saying hi to someone is the quickest way to make a new friend 🙂
Take time to remember the little things. Your first year will go by so fast so be sure to schedule time to relax and recenter yourself!

Victoria Pinkett

Year: Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
National Society of Black Engineers, USC Makers, Undergraduate Research, Viterbi Student Ambassadors

Hobbies/interests:
Listening to music, space, watching sports, TV/Movies

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Attending bonding/social activities!

Advice for freshmen:

Don't be afraid to reach out and talk to people! Whether it's other students or your professors.

Toby Roberts

Year: Sophomore
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Hometown:Marin County, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Institute of Transportation Engineers, Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers

Hobbies/interests:
Drawing, Painting, Cooking, Baking, Going to the beach, Working out

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Exploring the food around LA
Watching USC beat UCLA at the Rose Bowl
Playing football and spikeball on Manhattan beach

Advice for freshmen:

Talk to as many people as you can, especially in your classes. It might feel uncomfortable, but you will be glad to have familiar faces around campus.
Try to get off campus whenever possible to explore what LA has to offer.
Go to office hours, especially for math and science classes because it not only prepares you a lot for the exams but allows you to develop relationships with your professors.
Switch up your study spot from time to time. It is nice to get a change of scenery from doing homework in the same library every time and if you go to one spot too much you will probably get sick of it.

Zoe Rodriguez

Year: PDP Masters
Major: Civil Engineering (Transportation Engineering), MS
Hometown: San Fernando, CA

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
Student Symphony Orchestra, Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, Viterbi Career Ambassador

Hobbies/interests:
Music (keeping up with violin and learning piano), dancing, exploring museums and art galleries.

Favorite memories from freshman year:

Movie nights in McCarthy lounges with my roommates-turned-best friends
My first concert with SSO

Advice for freshmen:

Explore LA. Even if you’re from here, have fun being a tourist for a little while or take your friends from out of town to your favorite local spots.
Take time off. College is a huge adjustment, both socially and academically. Feel free to take a day off and have time for yourself.
Ask for help. Never feel embarrassed about seeking help of any kind. USC has all kinds of resources from the Writing Center to SI Leaders to Mental Health Services.

Yixuan Wang

Year: Senior
Major: Computer Science / Applied Mathematics
Hometown: Xi'an, China

Student involvement/organizations/campus jobs at USC:
USC Corpus Callosum, Transfer Ambassador of USC Dornsife Transfer Ambassador Program, W.V.T. Rusch Undergraduate Engineering Honors Program under the Research track

Hobbies/interests:
Traveling, Watching Movies, Playing Tennis

Favorite memories from freshman year:

With online studying demands and the time difference between China and the US, I've got the ultimate excuse to party with night owls until the break of dawn!
Scored a Transfer Admission from USC, swooping in fashionably late as the ultimate college decision party crasher! 🎉🎈
In a virtual adventure of a group project, I joined forces with an incredible crew, defying digital distance to create an unbreakable bond. Together, we unleashed our creative magic, conquered challenges, and not only aced the project but also sparked friendships that shine brighter than a supernova! 🚀🌌

Advice for freshmen:

Join clubs, organizations, or student groups aligned with your interests. It's a fantastic way to meet like-minded individuals and enhance your extracurricular journey.
Embrace failure and growth. Don't fear making mistakes. Learn from setbacks and use them as stepping stones toward personal and academic growth.
Be open to trying new subjects, activities, and experiences. College is a time for exploration and self-discovery.
Believe in yourself.Trust your abilities and remember that every challenge is an opportunity to learn and improve. You belong here, and your unique perspective is a valuable contribution to the USC community.

Published on August 13th, 2021

Last updated on February 12th, 2024