Class of 2026, you are now @ascjalumni ! Congratulations to all of our graduates — the future is bright ⭐️
Relive the memories from USC Annenberg’s commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 on May 15 in this montage of moments from the processional, the stage and the presentation of degrees.
Congratulations, #ASCJ Class of 2026! As you continue your journey, remember, in the words of our commencement speaker @lindseyvonn : “The daring — the act of trying when the outcome isn’t guaranteed — that’s where the next phase of your education really begins…. Fight On! Your mountain is waiting.”
We can’t wait to see what your future holds. Welcome to the Trojan alumni family!
Watch Lindsey Vonn’s full address at the link in our bio ✌️ #USCGrad
Meet your #ASCJ Class of 2026 flag and banner bearers: Alyssa Valdez and Dylan Brashier! Alyssa and Dylan will lead the student processional in today’s commencement ceremony. Their USC Annenberg experiences highlight the power of communication to connect us all, the impact of the USC Annenberg community, and what it truly means to Fight On.
#ASCJ commencement 2026 is almost here! Swipe to learn more about our iconic commencement speaker @lindseyvonn ’s inspiring career and impact ✌️❤️ #USCGrad
—
You’ve heard of Lindsey Vonn — but did you know that she...
✅ Is the author of two New York Times bestsellers
✅ Founded Après Productions in 2019, a production company sharing stories centered around sport and perseverance
✅ Holds three Olympic medals, eight World Championship medals and 20 Crystal Globes
✅ Founded the Lindsey Vonn Foundation to empower girls from underserved communities with scholarships and #StrongGirls camp program
Congratulations to our USC Annenberg PhD graduates on this singular accomplishment! You have enriched this #ASCJ community — in our classrooms as students and teachers, as partners in our research endeavors, as scholars pursuing vibrant new areas of inquiry, and as friends and colleagues. Rigorous and creative scholarship has earned you the distinction of a USC Annenberg PhD and prepared you to lead the field of communication. Your USC Annenberg family will be cheering you on.
Full-circle moment ✨ From the media center to the national stage, USC Annenberg alumna Sophie Flay ’18 returns as a special guest for our 2026 commencement ceremony, welcoming keynote speaker Lindsey Vonn. Now an ABC News correspondent and co-anchor — and an #ASCJ adjunct instructor — Sophie brings her real-world insight back to the classroom while continuing to report with empathy and integrity. We’re proud to celebrate her journey and the example she sets for the next generation of storytellers.
Bringing #USCNextLevelSports to the @uscalumni community in Orange County! Last week, we shared @uscannenberg and @uscmarshall ’s vision for positioning USC as the premier hub for the academic study of the dynamic future of sport.
USC alumni and siblings, RAJ Sports’ Alex Bhathal and Lisa Bhathal Merage joined us for a compelling conversation on leadership across sports, media and business ventures rooted in community. As Lisa shared, “We are stewards of beloved community assets. We go in gently and humbly, learning from the community and the people who shape it.” Alex captured the distinction that makes sports uniquely powerful: “Businesses have customers, but sports teams have fans.”
Grateful to Alex and Lisa for their candor and insight, to Bill Foltz and OC Sports & Entertainment for hosting us at ARTIC, and to our Trojan network for showing up and engaging so meaningfully.
Earth Month at the #ASCJ Center for Climate Communication and Journalism means hosting critical conversations on energy and sustainability – both in-person and over the airwaves! Early in April, @uscclimate held a live recording of their award-winning “Electric Futures” podcast, bringing community and climate experts into conversation about the impacts of data centers. Former Director of Sustainability for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Georgina Grenon also shared her insights on climate diplomacy and sustainability leadership with #ASCJ students, faculty and staff in a joint event with #ASCJ’s Center on @publicdiplomacy . Thank you to all who attended for supporting these important conversations!
Introducing The Creative Enterprise - Learning from Cactus Jack.
A one-of-a-kind course with unprecedented access to the creative ecosystem built around artist Travis Scott, taught by award-winning and Grammy-nominated scholar Josh Kun.
Students will step inside a real-time creative enterprise — exploring how ideas move from concept to global impact across music, fashion, media and beyond. From record-breaking tours to category-shifting collaborations, the course unpacks the systems, strategy and decision-making behind one of the most influential cultural platforms today.
Through weekly conversations with leaders across the extended Cactus Jack network, students gain direct insight into how creative work is built, scaled and sustained at the highest level.
If you’re interested in creativity, entrepreneurship and culture, this is what #ASCJ does best.
Spots are limited. Register now.
She built her legacy on courage — on and off the slopes.
Olympic champion @lindseyvonn — athlete, best-selling author, philanthropist and investor — will deliver the 2026 #ASCJ commencement address.
A master of shaping her own narrative, she’ll send off the #ASCJ Class of 2026 with a message on authenticity, leadership and what comes next. Link in bio for full announcement. #USCGrad
Want a class that connects you to Hollywood?
USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative courses COMM 313 and COMM 494 offer two distinct ways to understand and shape the entertainment industry. In COMM 313, taught by Dr. Stacy L. Smith, students examine how film, television and social media influence identity, relationships and culture — grounded in research that actively informs the entertainment industry. With insights from top talent, the course offers a rare look at the systems shaping what we watch.
COMM 494 turns screen time into real-world impact, giving students the opportunity to contribute to research used by studios, executives, and industry leaders worldwide.
Enroll now to deepen your understanding of entertainment media and help shape it in real-time!
Big wins, bold ideas, and a look at the future of PR.
During this year’s Kenneth Owler Smith Symposium at #ASCJ, we celebrated the @usccenterforpr Purpose Award, accepted by Jon Banner and Joanna Sabato on behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities, highlighted USC Annenberg’s PRWeek Award wins, and unveiled the center’s latest Global Communication Report on polarization’s impact on the field.
From industry leaders to rising pros, the conversation was all about what’s next in public relations. Grateful for Jon and Joanna’s insights into Ronald McDonald House’s mission, vision and impact, our panelists from across the industry — Bill Imada, David Tovar and Janet Clayton — who shared about the future of purpose communication, and our partners for making it all happen!
