USC reveals student commencement speaker for the Class of 2025

At an altitude of 10,000 feet, fastened into a parachute and moments away from free-falling, Meghan Anand wasn’t reflecting on the excitement of skydiving. Instead, she contemplated her journey after conquering her fear of heights. When her friend and fellow Trojan proposed skydiving to confront their anxieties, Anand, true to her ethos of welcoming new chances, signed the waiver — and jumped.

“That instant in the air was nothing as I had anticipated,” Anand expressed. “Once I leapt, it felt more like soaring than plummeting, and I was unexpectedly tranquil. It was a reminder of how transformative new experiences can be: They encourage us, alter our viewpoints, and foster our growth in ways we could never envision.”

Anand’s willingness to embrace fresh experiences has characterized her four years at the USC Marshall School of Business, and it will influence the message she intends to convey as this year’s student commencement speaker. At the universitywide ceremony on Thursday, May 15, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Anand will provide motivation to the graduates as they honor their significant achievement.

“I’m simply feeling extremely thankful and thrilled to deliver this speech this year,” remarked Anand, who is set to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

“Meghan’s interdisciplinary scholarship, commitment to her endeavors, and engagement in various student organizations make her an outstanding representative for the Class of 2025,” stated Andrew T. Guzman, USC’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

“I am confident that her remarks will both uplift and encourage her peers and everyone present,” Guzman added. “I wish to express gratitude to the selection committee for recognizing such a distinguished and skilled group of candidates. This process and its outcome serve as one more testament to the extraordinary caliber of our graduating students.”

USC commencement speaker: From Texas to Troy

A Houston native, Anand arrived at USC four years ago with a keen interest in politics, inspired by a high school internship with former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Initially, Anand majored in philosophy, politics, and economics at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. However, her academic journey took an unforeseen turn after her freshman year, when she joined the pre-law society Phi Alpha Delta and attended her first business course at USC Marshall.

“I swiftly realized that a business degree is exceptionally versatile, and a strong foundation in finance unlocked numerous opportunities, instilling in me the confidence to explore a diverse array of career paths,” Anand shared.

Post-graduation, Anand will commence her full-time position as a management consultant at PwC. However, her ambitions extend beyond that. She plans to prepare for the LSAT to pursue law school and aspires to engage in geopolitics or establish her own charitable foundation.

Fostering change

Anand’s enthusiasm for golf — a sport she has loved since childhood — has consistently been intertwined with her desire to give back. Introduced to golf by her father, it quickly evolved into more than a hobby: it transformed into a means for community engagement. Through the First Tee program, which introduces golf to underserved communities, Anand played a key role in rejuvenating a local chapter in her area, mentoring young children and teaching them the game.

“Golf has always been significant in my life,” she remarked. “With First Tee, I wasn’t simply instructing kids on how to swing a club; I was empowering them to build confidence and resilience. It was profoundly gratifying to give back, and it’s something I want to sustain throughout my life.”

Anand’s dedication to service has continued at USC, where she held several positions in student government. She began as a funding delegate during her freshman year, a role that granted her insight into the mechanisms by which student organizations secure funding and host events. Later, Anand acted as associate director for academic and professional funds, where she championed her peers and played a vital role in ensuring they had access to necessary resources, cultivating a more inclusive and supportive campus environment.

Her passion for golf and philanthropy also led her to collaborate with USC University Advancement, where she is aiding in fundraising for a golf simulator at the Lyon Center. This initiative aims to broaden access to golf for students, especially given the limited availability of nearby courses.

“I aim to contribute to the organizations, individuals and communities that invested in me,” Anand expressed. “I believe it’s essential to support the individuals and places that supported you.”