
Andrea Bennett
Andrea Bennett is communications manager for Student Affairs. She earned her Master of Communication Management from USC Annenberg in 2013.
Stories by Andrea Bennett:

Graduating senior Divya Jeyasingh: ‘The Trojan Family is very real’
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The Portland, Ore., native looks back on four years, two degrees and countless memorable experiences with the USC Helenes, Swim With Mike and other groups.

4 years later: Graduating senior Nadia Filanovsky expanded her horizons — and got her driver’s license
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The native New Yorker may be heading back home after commencement, but L.A. and USC have a special place in her heart.

4 years later: Graduating senior Lauren Gilmour speaks to how USC widened her perspective
COMMENCEMENT 2022: Deepening her knowledge on the most pressing issues today and making solid connections over the past four years enabled Gilmour to better understand herself — and the world.

4 years later: Graduating senior Anthony Llamas shares his wisdom on failure and success
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The soon-to-be-graduate also had some advice for other first-generation students like himself on navigating life’s ups and downs: “You’ll never be alone.”

4 years later: Graduating senior Neysa Sanghavi reflects on the impact of her volunteer work
COMMENCEMENT 2022: Service has been at the heart of the USC experience for Sanghavi, who next week will receive degrees in human biology and in pharmacology and drug development.

4 years later: Graduating senior Leily Zhu talks about gaining a global perspective
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The business major from Omaha, Neb., and soon-to-be USC alumna answers some questions on her last four years.

Mural celebrates 40 years of service to USC Asian American and Pacific Islander students
The piece at the Asian Pacific American Student Services celebrates the countless USC students who have found support and community through the cultural center in the last 40 years.

4 years later: Graduating senior Meg Schwartz looks back at the ‘happy bubble’
COMMENCEMENT 2022: The communications major reflects on her student experience, how she’s changed and what’s next.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month kicks off at USC
The commemoration begins a month early so the AAPI community can celebrate before students’ focus shifts to finals and commencement in May.

Debate team makes it through Zoom era to win USC’s biggest title in 30 years
After months of debating remotely, Trojan Debate Squad partners join forces in person to claim the top prize at the national Texas Open competition.

As Year of the Tiger begins, Trojans share how they celebrate Lunar New Year
USC students, faculty and staff members will be among the billions of people worldwide celebrating Lunar New Year on Feb. 1.

Paint night puts artistic spin on Latinx Heritage Month celebration
The USC community came together to flex its creative muscle and commemorate this year’s theme: esperanza (hope).

Hunter Brophy’s studies are in the stars, but his heart is in the sea
The first-year astronomy major, lifeguard and Navy cadet has a special connection to the ocean and the environment.

Transfer student La Shaun Aaron brings wisdom of life experiences
At age 43 and with a college-aged son, she hopes to be a role model to other Black women and girls.

First-year faces: Macie Miller brings her mental health advocacy to USC
Macie Miller always dreamed of going to USC. Now that she’s officially a Trojan, she plans to continue being a mental health advocate as she soaks up the new world around her.

USC welcomes a diverse class with resources, advice and connections
USC’s Student Equity and Inclusion Programs kick off fall with a message from the university’s many identity-specific resource centers and student communities: “You belong here.”

It’s good to be here: New and returning students share how it feels to be on campus
As first- and second-year students finally begin their in-person Trojan experience, a series of fun events — and support groups — are designed to help them settle in.

Three students share what ‘the Black family’ means to them
Jakaiya Burke, Natalie Hart and Lawrence K. Rolle offer up their personal connection to the 2021 Black History Month national theme.

Students who’ve recovered from COVID-19 give back by donating plasma
Trojans are urging members of the university community who’ve already been infected with the novel coronavirus to donate plasma.

Meet Edwin Bodney, USC Student Health’s new LGBTQ+ campus advocate and educator
The poet and performer wants his art and his own experiences as a Black, queer undergrad to help guide underrepresented members of the USC student community.

Newly renamed LGBTQ+ Student Center aims for greater inclusion
After surveying USC students, the center’s leaders adopted a new name that includes the entire community.

USC students offer tips for succeeding in virtual internships
Even if you’re interning remotely, classic work strategies like self-discipline and time management will still pay off.

Returning to SoCal allowed this USC grad student to embrace her calling — and her roots
Pursuing her master’s at USC Rossier has given Mahagoney Borrayo-Gilchriest an opportunity to explore her heritage while furthering her commitment to shaping young minds.

First-gen graduating senior made a home at USC thanks to her Latinx peers
Maria Del Pilar Morales initially struggled to find her place at USC, but she soon discovered her calling in global health and her community among the university’s Latinx students and alumni.