Alumni Leadership Conference inspires graduates and volunteer leaders as representatives of USC

Shortly after Athena Shintaku commenced her master’s degree journey at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 2020, she became a member of the Veterans Association at USC. This organization assisted Shintaku, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, in feeling connected to the university community during a period when the COVID-19 pandemic had transitioned classes online.

On Friday, Shintaku felt that sense of belonging once again as she visited the USC University Park Campus for the first time as an attendee of the USC Alumni Leadership Conference. The annual occasion, coordinated by the USC Alumni Association, gathers alumni, volunteer leaders, and campus administrators to converse about USC’s recent successes and envision the future of alumni participation.

Seated with fellow members of the USC Alumni Veterans Network, Shintaku — who earned her USC master’s in 2022 and currently works in public relations at Los Angeles Southwest College — contemplated how the occasion enhanced her connections with both the group and the institution. “It’s wonderful to engage with the leadership at USC and understand that they are eager to support us,” Shintaku remarked about the veterans network. “We aspire to support them.”

Half a million strong

The USC Alumni Association, which marked its centennial in 2023, recently achieved the milestone of 500,000 living alumni members. The USC Alumni Veterans Network is one of numerous connected alumni organizations that the association supports, which also includes industry-specific and affinity networks, school-specific groups, multicultural alumni organizations, women’s networks, and more. The association further organizes events and programs globally.

With 200 alumni leaders and volunteers in attendance from various locations, Friday’s 24th annual leadership conference honored those who dedicate their time and skills to fostering these supportive Trojan Family networks.

Helping USC reach new heights

USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim addressed some of the objectives he is actively pursuing during his administration. These encompass increasing funding for research throughout the university and elevating USC as a national frontrunner in
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AI advancement, generating novel educational prospects related to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, and nurturing an academic environment of open communication and reciprocal respect.

In fields ranging from science to sports, Kim emphasized the university’s promising future and worldwide influence. “Last year, the student-operated Rocket Propulsion Lab set a new amateur record for the distance they managed to launch a rocket into space,” Kim stated. “Following that success, I can no longer declare, ‘The sky is the limit.’ Instead, I affirm, ‘The sky is merely the starting point’ for what we can achieve collectively — with all of your assistance.”

Kim commended the devoted alumni and volunteer leaders whose impactful efforts connect different generations of Trojans. “The Trojan Family is one of the elements that makes USC exceptional, as it encompasses a community of alumni and devoted advocates who sincerely care for one another,” he remarked.

A premier alumni experience

During the conference’s keynote speech, Erika Jordan, USC’s associate senior vice president for alumni relations and a 2018 USC alumna, discussed the transformations and enhancements approaching for USC Alumni Association members. These initiatives include an improved and broadened online community platform, a new educational and career advancement program, and the reestablishment of local alumni networks.

“We are activating our new strategic orientation focused on delivering an unparalleled alumni experience,” Jordan remarked.

Over the past year — Jordan’s inaugural term in this position — she frequently traveled to engage with USC alumni groups and understand their aspirations and concerns. The adjustments she introduced at the conference directly respond to what she gathered from alumni seeking increased engagement.

“Alumni are enduring and global,” Jordan stated. “We are half a million strong, each possessing distinct experiences and a multitude of ideas and perspectives. However, what remains consistent is your love for our traditions, your desire to remain connected with the Trojan Family, and your expectation that the university should be there to support you at every stage of your life.”

Reconnecting USC to communities

Christopher Collier — who traveled from Portland, Ore., to participate in the conference — felt motivated not only by the day’s speakers but also by discussions with fellow alumni leaders. “It’s uplifting to be among like-minded individuals, recharge and gather new energy, and then return [to Portland] with fresh ideas,” said Collier, a 2005 alumnus of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Collier, who serves as vice president at Fidelity Investments and is part of the USC Council of Regional Engagement, was inspired to take on alumni leadership to give back to an institution that has significantly shaped his life. “USC altered the course of my existence,” Collier remarked. “I liken it to elevating your temperature. When you surround yourself with high achievers, you too will aspire to become a high achiever.”

The conference also acted as a springboard for action. “We have the opportunity to unite everyone, hear directly from leadership regarding their strategic vision … and understand how we as alumni can serve as advocates and ambassadors for that vision,” stated Ruth Benton of Huntington Beach, a 2008 graduate of the USC Marshall School of Business who co-founded the hospital power supply company Partopia Medical and serves on the USC Alumni Association’s Board of Governors.

Scott Rabenold, USC’s senior vice president for university advancement, acknowledged the efforts of volunteer leaders like Collier and Benton, who share their enthusiasm for USC with others in their respective communities.

“All of us at the university appreciate how you also rise to assist us, how you and others volunteer daily to be ambassadors for this institution, and how you and others generously contribute philanthropy to causes and people that matter deeply to you,” Rabenold expressed to the conference attendees. “You are the cornerstone of the Trojan Family.”