Graduation ceremonies are joyful, filled with hope, optimism, and possibility. There are first-time graduates, MBA students, filmmakers, teachers, and engineers alike. The same was true on May 8–10, as the Trojan spirit was vibrant and pervasive throughout campus.

In one small but significant corner of campus, the Taylor family gathered in celebration. Jennifer Sparks Taylor (BA ’91, EdD ’24), USC’s Director of the Marshall Center for Effective Organizations (CEO), received her second USC diploma, a doctorate in organizational change and leadership from the Rossier School of Education. Meanwhile her husband, Toper Taylor (BA ’85, MHA ’19, DPPD ’24), long time board of councilor for the Roski School of Art and Design and alumni board member of the School of Cinematic Arts, walked at another graduation ceremony, this time for a doctorate in policy planning and development from the Price School of Public Policy.

For anyone counting, that makes five USC degrees between husband and wife.

“The journey of life is about learning, growing, and contributing to our community, nation, and the world. We must carry the torch of curiosity, love, justice and forgiveness,” said Toper, 60, whose dissertation, “The Human Performance Intention Experiment,” explores the energetic interconnectedness and the positive impact of focused, meditated thoughts on human performance.

“Whereas my husband studied universal themes of human entanglement, I studied the positive impact of self-aware leadership on an organization,” said Jennifer, 55, whose dissertation is titled, “The Case for Leader Self Reflection to Improve Communication in the Workplace.”

The pair’s road to their respective doctorates was full of challenges, but they tackled them together.

“Getting a doctorate is as much about intellectual stimulation and getting outside your comfort zone as it is about endurance and perseverance,” Jennifer explained. “We couldn’t have accomplished our goal[s] individually. Together we were stronger, empathetic, and supportive.”

Watching Jennifer and Toper were their two oldest children, Trevor (BA ’15), a graduate from the School of Cinematic Arts, and Tayce (BA ’17, MS ’25), a graduate from the Marshall School of Business and current master’s candidate at the Iovine & Young Academy.