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USC Marshall Alumni Reflect on the Value of the Trojan Family

USC Marshall Alumni Reflect on the Value of the Trojan Family

MBA alumni share how the Trojan Family impacted their careers while welcoming the Class of 2028 at this year’s Full-Time MBA Orientation.

by: Alexander Bernard
08.20.26
MBA students at Town and Gown

The Class of 2028 learned about the power of the Trojan Family at their orientation.

[USC Photo / Brian Morri]

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On July 28, the Full-Time MBA (FTMBA) Class of 2028’s orientation kicked off with a panel of alumni highlighting the strength and reach of the Trojan Family. Six MBA graduates explained how Trojans, from recent graduates to seasoned professionals, have supported their success.

All panelists shared the same sentiment: The Trojan Family more closely resembles an actual family than a typical alumni network.

“[Trojan Family] is not just a word. It means something,” said Hassan Hanif MBA ’23, a director of corporate growth strategy at EY-Parthenon. “Every time I found a person from USC and I sent them a note that said ‘Fight On,’ the likelihood of getting a response was so much higher. That’s when I learned that this is not just a USC marketing [strategy]. This actually works.”

The alumni panelists emphasized this sense of connection begins at orientation, with bonds formed among classmates that endure long after graduation.

“Don’t overlook the people next to you too,” said Sloan Sweitzer MBA ’25, partner manager of emerging food at Walmart Connect. “The people sitting next to you are the ones that will help you five, 10 years down the road. The relationships that you form now — these are the people who know you best.”

Marine Galstyan MBA ’25, product marketing manager of agentic AI at Adobe, believes the program is clearly tailored to help students form lasting bonds. Specifically, she noted how the program’s selective class size and diverse perspectives make it a perfect environment for networking and professional preparation.

“That’s the beauty of the Trojan Network — bringing in so many different perspectives and different people from all over the world,” Galstyan said. “And that is what an office looks like. So it’s good to get comfortable with being uncomfortable with new situations and new people.”

Those key relationships also form in the classroom. The alumni urged candidates not to overlook their professors, who are also part of the Trojan Family. They advised the Class of 2028 to take advantage of the knowledge of the school’s world-class faculty, many of whom have decades of experience in their respective fields.

“These are truly giants in the community,” said Diego Lundstrom, knowledge management specialist at L.E.K. Consulting. “[Professors] are people who can help connect you with others and can help you professionally and personally in your life.”

The friendships that you build out of this program are really deep. This is your community. These are going to be your roots. [You will have] flourishing friendships that I know will last a lifetime.

— Sloan Sweitzer MBA ’25

Partner Manager of Emerging Food, Walmart Connect

As for Marshall’s larger alumni base, which now includes more than 100,000 Trojans, the panel recalled how Marshall set up multiple opportunities for them to connect with graduates on and off campus. Even today, the recent graduates were moved by the generosity of these visiting alumni.

“When you’re in the MBA program, there are so many panels like this with alumni and opportunities to meet alumni,” said Renee Radia MBA ’17, director of partner management and distribution at Warner Bros. Discovery. “It’s really inspiring to see how many alumni give back so easily. And I think that helps you see as a student that this is going to be you in two years and you’re going to give back. It ingrains the Trojan Family in you from day one.”

Panelists also provided helpful advice on the cadence of internship applications, when and when not to reach out for coffee chats, how to prepare for an interview, and even what students might want to say in their emails when reaching out to alumni.

Most of all, they implored the Class of 2028 to enjoy their time at USC Marshall and in Los Angeles with their classmates.

“The friendships that you build out of this program are really deep,” said Sweitzer. “This is your community. These are going to be your roots. [You will have] flourishing friendships that I know will last a lifetime.”

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